India Covid Updates: Arvind Kejriwal said, the positivity rate has gone down but we can't afford leniency
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has extended the lockdown in the city by another week, making the restrictions stricter. Even the metro services have been suspended this time. The lockdown will be on till 5 am on May 17.
Mr Kejriwal said the extension is meant to ensure that the city does not let its guard down even though the Covid numbers have dropped marginally. "The positivity rate has gone down but still we can't afford leniency. We need to extend to lockdown," Mr Kejriwal said.
India recorded 4,03,738 fresh Covid cases and 4,092 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the overall caseload to 2.22 crore. This is the fifth time in a week that the country has reported over 4 lakh daily infections.
The number of deaths climbed to 2,42,362 with 4,092 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 37,36,648, comprising 16.76 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 82.15 per cent.
The government on Saturday said it has revised the national policy for admission of Covid patients as it told the hospitals that "no patient will be refused on any count". A coronavirus test report is no longer needed for hospitalisation. Hospitals can't also refuse patients from another city.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
COVID-19: 100 more beds in Greater Noida hospital from May 10, another 100 in offingAmid a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases, the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida said it is increasing its total bed capacity from 250 to 350 starting Monday.
The measure has been taken to further improve the delivery of effective health care to needy COVID patients in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the hospital, an autonomous institute under the Uttar Pradesh government, said in a statement.
The project was initiated under the aegis of Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) CEO Narendra Bhooshan and in association with HCL Foundation and Delhi-based NGO ''Doctors For You'', it added.
COVID-19: Assam reports 3,299 new cases, 48 more deathsAssam's COVID-19 tally rose to 2,92,368 on Sunday as 3,299 more people tested positive for the infection while 48 new fatalities pushed the death count to 1,676, the National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.
The state, however, reported more COVID-19 recoveries than fresh cases in a single day as 4,045 patients were discharged from hospitals.
Kamrup Metropolitan district reported the highest of 17 deaths, followed by four in Kamrup, three each in Dibrugarh, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur and Tinsukia, two each in Bongaigaon, Cachar, Jorhat and Lakhimpur, and one each in Barpeta, Dhemaji, Goalpara, Hojai, Nalbari, Sivasagar and Udalguri.
Over 17 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far: CentreThe cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the country has exceeded 17 crore, the Union health ministry said on Sunday.
It said 2,43,958 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group received their first dose of the vaccine on Sunday and cumulatively 20,29,395 people across 30 states and union territories.
The total number of doses administered across the country so far stands at 17,01,53,432, the ministry said.
Over 17 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far: Government
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the country has exceeded 17 crore, the Union health ministry said on Sunday.
It said 2,43,958 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group received their first dose of the vaccine on Sunday and cumulatively 20,29,395 people across 30 states and union territories.
The total number of doses administered across the country so far stands at 17,01,53,432, the ministry said.
The beneficiaries include 95,46,871 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose of the vaccine and 64,71,090 HCWs who have taken the second dose; 1,39,71,341 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose and 77,54,283 FLWs who have taken the second dose; and 20,29,395 people in the 18-44 age group who have taken the first dose.
Two Indian Air Force IL-76s airlifted 4 Cryogenic Oxygen Containers from Jakarta, Indonesia, and landed at Vizag today.
Over 38 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Delhi so far
Delhi's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 38 lakh doses, informed the Delhi government on Sunday.
According to the vaccination bulletin issued by the Delhi government, as many as 38,96,551 COVID-19 vaccine doses been administered across the national capital since the commencement of the vaccination drive on January 16, while 1,28,441 doses were administered on May 8.
"Vaccine doses received till date from the Government of India supply for beneficiaries above 45 years, frontline workers and healthcare workers stands at 43,20,490. Out of which, 38,53,300 doses have been utilised till date," the bulletin said.
The balance stock left with the Delhi government is 4,67,190 doses, it pointed out.
Haryana extends coronavirus lockdown by a week till May 17
The Haryana government on Sunday announced extending the coronavirus-induced lockdown in the state by a week till May 17.
Making the announcement on Twitter, Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said that stringent measures will be taken to contain the spread of coronavirus infections in the state.
"Detailed order to be issued soon," he said in a tweet.
Mr Vij later told PTI that the restrictions which are currently in force will continue till May 17.
In the past few weeks, Haryana has registered a surge in COVID-19 infections as well as fatalities.
Haryana on Sunday reported 151 COVID-19-related deaths taking the cumulative toll to 5,605 and another big surge of 13,548 infections pushed the total case count to 6,15,897.
COVID-19: Punjab sees record 191 fatalities
Punjab on Sunday reported 191 more COVID-related fatalities, the highest single-day count recorded so far, pushing the toll to 10,506 while 8,531 new cases took the infection tally to 4,42,125, according to a medical bulletin.
The number of active cases soared from 71,948 on Saturday to 74,343.
Twenty-two deaths were reported from Ludhiana, 20 from Amritsar, 18 from Patiala, 17 each from Mohali and Bathinda and 14 from Rupnagar, among fatalities reported in the past 24-hours.
Ludhiana registered the maximum number of cases in the state at 1,729 followed by 985 in Mohali, 812 in Bathinda and 691 in Jalandhar, among daily fresh cases.
Haryana records 151 Covid-19 fatalities; 13,548 fresh cases
Haryana on Sunday reported 151 COVID-19 related deaths, taking the cumulative toll to 5,605, while another big surge of 13,548 fresh infections pushed the total case count to 6,15,897, according to official figures.
The latest deaths include 20 from Rohtak, 17 from Hisar, 12 from Panipat, 10 each from Gurgaon and Karnal, nine from Bhiwani and eight each from Charkhi, Dadri and Palwal districts, the health department's daily bulletin said.
Among the districts to report a big spike in cases include Gurgaon (2,842), Faridabad (1,991), Sonipat (989), Hisar (1,328), Bhiwani (783), Sirsa (691) and Karnal (643).
A flight carrying medical supplies from South Korea arrived in India today
Telangana logs 4,976 COVID-19 cases, 35 deathsTelangana on Sunday reported 4,976 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the tally to over 4.97 lakh while the toll stood at2,739 with 35 more casualties.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 851, followed by Rangareddy (417) and Medchal Malkajgiri (384), a government bulletin said.
The state has 65,757 active cases and over 55 thousand samples were tested.
The number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 4,97,361 while with 7,646 being cured, the total recoveries were at 4,28,865.
Cumulatively, over 1.36 crore samples have been tested.
Update| Uttarakhand records 180 new deaths, 5,890 cases and 2731 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Update| Mumbai reports 2,403 new COVID-19 cases, 68 deaths and 3,375 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Only 10 persons can attend weddings, funerals in Chhattisgarh
In view of the grim coronavirus situation, the Chhattisgarh government on Sunday said only 10 persons will be allowed to attend weddings and funerals in the state, while all kinds of religious, social, political, social
and other programmes will continue to remain prohibited in the state.
The General Administration Department issued the guidelines to this effect on Sunday for all divisional commissioners (revenue), Inspector General of Police (IGPs), district collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs).
At present, several districts in the state have set different limits on the number of people allowed at weddings, while some other districts have even cancelled permission for such functions during the lockdown at the local level.
COVID-19 induced curfew extended in Bhopal till May 17
The district administration on Sunday extended the COVID-19 induced curfew in the Madhya Pradesh capital till May 17, an official said.
The curfew was supposed to be lifted at 6 am on May 10.
Enforced on April 12 given the rise in coronavirus positive cases, the curfew was later extended subsequently after every one week till May 10.
"The corona curfew is extended in the areas under the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and Berasia town till 6 am on May 17 as per the order issued by district collector Avinash Lavaniyam," the official said.
He said essential services and emergency travel are exempted from the purview of the restrictions on the movement of people.
Oxygen Express: Nearly 4,200 MT of liquid medical oxygen delivered across India
The Railways has delivered nearly 4,200 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in more than 268 tankers to various states since April 19, the national transporter said on Sunday.
So far, 68 ''Oxygen Express'' trains have completed their journeys, it said.
Till now, 293 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has been unloaded in Maharashtra, 1,230 tonnes in Uttar Pradesh, 271 tonnes to Madhya Pradesh, 555 tonnes in Haryana, 123 tonnes in Telangana, 40 tonnes in Rajasthan and 1,679 tonnes in Delhi, it said.
The Railways also delivered oxygen to new cities including Kanpur, which received 80 tonnes on Sunday.
"More loaded ''Oxygen Expresses'' are expected to start their journeys later in the night," the Railways said.
Update| Lahaul and Spiti District Administration announces continuation of restrictions till 6 am on May 17 with only essential services, shops to open as per guidelines. Private vehicles to be allowed for only medical emergencies including COVID-19 testing & vaccination
Emirates to transport COVID relief items of NGOs for free from Dubai to India
Emirates said on Sunday it will not charge NGOs anything for transporting their COVID relief material on its flights from Dubai to India.
India has been badly hit by the second wave of coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs and beds.
"Emirates will offer cargo capacity free of charge on an "as available" basis on all of its flights to nine cities in India, to help international NGOs rapidly deliver relief supplies, where it is needed," the airline said in a statement.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates'' Chairman and Chief Executive, said, "Emirates has a lot of experience in humanitarian relief efforts, and with 95 weekly flights to nine destinations in India, we will be offering regular and reliable widebody capacity for relief materials."
IAF is operating a Covid Air Support Management Cell (CASMC) at Palam Air Base, Delhi since April 27. The primary task of the cell is to efficiently coordinate for the distribution of all the relief aid coming from foreign countries: IAF
Corona Curfew extended in Jammu and Kashmir till May 17
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday extended the curfew in the union territory by a week till 7 am on May 17 in a bid to tackle the surge in Covid-19 cases.
The curfew will remain in force till May 17.
The administration has imposed the curfew in 20 districts of the union territory, however, allowing essential services to function normally.
As per the official order the gathering permissible for marriages is reduced to 25 from the current 50 with effect from Sunday itself.
The Department of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir tweeted, "Corona Curfew imposed in all 20 districts of J&K till 7 am on Monday, 10/5/21 is extended further by 7 days till 7 am on Monday, 17/5/21. The curfew will be strict except for a few essential services."
Marriage ceremonies in Delhi prohibited in public places, metro services suspended till May 17
Soon after the lockdown was extended by another week in the national capital by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government updated its guidelines for the lockdown stating that metro services will temporarily remain suspended till 5 am on May 17 and marriage ceremonies in all public places have been prohibited.
As per the latest guideline, marriages have only been permitted in court or at home with a maximum of 20 peoples'' participation.
The fresh guidelines by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) states, "There will be a complete prohibition on organising any marriage ceremony at public places/ marriage halls/ banquet halls/ hotels and other similar places. The marriage may however be organised in court or at home in which not more than 20 people will be allowed to participate."
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 273 deaths, over 13K cases in DelhiDelhi reported 273 more coronavirus deaths on Sunday, the lowest since April 21, and 13,336 new infections with a positivity rate of 21.67 per cent, the Health Department said.
The low number of new cases, the lowest since April 12, can be ascribed to a smaller number of tests -- 61,552 -- conducted on Saturday.
At 21.67 per cent, the positivity rate is the lowest since April 16 when it stood at 19.7 per cent, according to government data.
COVID-19: Odisha police dispatches 473 tankers of medical oxygen to 11 states
A total of 473 tankers/containers carrying 8689.626 MT medical oxygen have been dispatched under escort/supervision of Odisha police so far from Rourkela, Jajpur, Dhenkanal and Angul districts of Odisha to 11 needy states in the country.
More oxygen tankers will be dispatched on Sunday, as per an official statement.
During the last 17 days, as many as 47 tankers were dispatched from Angul with 780.542MT, 116 from Dhenkanal with 1828.1 MT, 119 from Jajpur with 2472.452 MT and 191 from Rourkela with 3604.532 MT.
A total of 141 tankers with 2854.424 MT of oxygen have been sent so far to Andhra Pradesh, and 122 tankers with 2072.759 MT of oxygen to Telangana. Tamil Nadu has received 10 tankers filled with 202.04 MT of medical oxygen. Similarly, Haryana has received 65 tankers filled with 1179.222 MT of oxygen.
Railway deploys 298 coaches for COVID-19 isolation across 7 states
As many as 298 rail coaches, known as Covid Care Coaches, have been deployed at 17 stations in seven states of the country catering to COVID-19 patients, informed the Indian Railways.
"At present, 298 coaches have been handed over to various states for covid care with a bed-capacity of more than 4,700 beds," read an official statement by the Railways Ministry.
"The isolation coaches, which are stationed on platforms, have been duly barricaded, make-shifts tents provided and every endeavour is being taken for facilitation of the medical personnel on duty here," the statement added.
Puducherry records highest single day number of deaths
The Union territory of Puducherry recorded the highest single day COVID-19 fatality count on Sunday with 26 deaths, while the addition of 1,633 cases pushed the caseload to 71,709, the health department said. The 26 deaths took the toll in the UT to 965.
The previous high was 19 deaths on May 8. Puducherry region accounted for 22 deaths, Karaikal two, and Mahe and Yanam one each.
Of those dead, 13 had comorbidities.
A total of 9,022 samples were tested in the last 24 hours ending at 10 am and the cumulative number of specimens examined so far was 8.56 lakh, Health and Family Welfare Services Director S Mohan Kumar said in a release.
Nagaland has sufficient stock of oxygen: Official
A senior official of the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Department on Sunday claimed that the state has sufficient stock of oxygen despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
"There is sufficient stock of Oxygen and the state is fully prepared to face even the worst situation amidst the increasing number of fresh infections," Health and Family Welfare Department, Joint Director, Dr Neisakho Kere told reporters.
He said there are 1,617 type B oxygen cylinders (small) and 402 type D cylinders (big).
All these are available in the districts while 250 oxygen concentrators have also been distributed to all the districts, he said.
169 new COVID-19 cases push Mizoram's tally to 7,551
At least 169 people, including 12 policemen who had returned from West Bengal after election duty, have tested positive for novel coronavirus in Mizoram, pushing the state's COVID-19 caseload to 7,551, an official said on Sunday.
So far 287 police personnel out of 705, who had gone for poll duty in West Bengal and Assam, have tested positive for the infection, the official said.
Of the 169 fresh COVID-19 cases, 105 were reported from Aizawl district, Lunglei (11), 12 cases each from Siaha and Kolasib districts, Saitual (10), Serchhip (7), Khawzawl (8) and Mamit (4).
At least 2,667 samples were tested in the last 24 hours registering an infection rate of 6.37 per cent, the official said.
Fifty-two patients have travel history while the rest were found to have locally contracted the infection, he said. Of the 169 patients, 56 have developed symptoms of COVID-19.
Odisha reports 10,635 new COVID-19 cases, 21 deaths
Odisha registered 10,635 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the state health department said.
The state also recorded 21 COVID-related deaths yesterday, taking the deaths in the state to 2,161. As many as 7,664 COVID-infected patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours.
With this, the total number of recoveries in the state stood at 4,39,322.
300-bed COVID isolation centre set up at Hyderabad churchWith a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, many organisations have come forward to offer their services during these tough times.
In order to help Telangana in handling the pandemic situation, the Calvary Temple, a church at Hafeezpet in Hyderabad has been turned into a 300-bed COVID isolation centre.
On Saturday, the church-turned-COVID isolation centre was inaugurated by TRS leader and MLC K Kavitha.
Speaking to ANI, Dr P Satish Kumar, the founder and Pastor of Calvary Temple said, "India is going through a tough time and irrespective of caste, creed and religion, every individual must come forward to help those who are in need."
Maharashtra: 1,966 new COVID-19 cases in Thane
With the addition of1,966 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has reached 4,86,737, an official said on Sunday.
Besides these new cases reported on Saturday, the virus also claimed the lives of 68 more people, taking the deaths in the district to 8,003, he said.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 1.64 per cent, he added.
Details of recovered and under-treatment patients were not provided by the district administration.
In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count stood at 95,682 and the death toll at 1,715, another official said.
Two cryogenic oxygen containers airlifted from Indonesia
An Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft IL-76 on Saturday airlifted two cryogenic oxygen containers from Jakarta, Indonesia, and landed at Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam.
According to a press release, an IAF C17 is bringing two Oxygen Generators from Bordeaux, France to the Hindan Airbase. Another C17 is bringing Zeolite (Respiratory Oxygen raw material) from Frankfurt to Mumbai.
In India, C-17s airlifted two cryogenic oxygen containers from Hindan to Bhubaneswar and four from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar.
Other C17s are bringing eight cryogenic oxygen containers from Nagpur and Pune to Bhubaneswar and Jamnagar, six from Vijayawada to Bhubaneswar, four from Chandigarh to Ranchi, five from Agra and Lucknow to Jamnagar and Ranchi, and five from Gwalior to Ranchi.
China reports 12 new COVID-19 cases vs seven a day earlier
China reported 12 new COVID-19 cases in the mainland on May 8, up from seven a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Sunday.
The National Health Commission said in a statement that all the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas.
The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 10 from eight a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 90,758, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,636.
COVID-19 vaccination for 45+ age group to remain closed in Pune today
The COVID vaccination for the age group of 45 years and above will remain closed in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad on Sunday, said district administration.
However, the vaccination for the age group of 18 to 44 years will continue at only selected vaccination centres with prior appointment/booking.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday sought the help of the Central government for better implementation of the vaccination drive for people in the age group 18 to 44 years.
In a letter to Prime Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister asked for a separate app developed by the states or a CoWin App for each state developed and assigned by the Union government to ensure better interface and experience for the citizens who are keen to take the vaccine shot.
Uttarakhand to start COVID vaccination for 18-44 years age group from May 10
The COVID vaccination for people in the age group of 18 to 44 years will begin in Uttarakhand from May 10, informed the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Saturday.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat instructed officials to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination in the state in the wake of a surge in COVID cases. He reviewed the vaccination status through video conferencing in the Secretariat.
The Chief Minister has also appealed for plasma donation. Mr Rawat said the blood plasma of people who have recovered from COVID is helpful in the treatment of other infected patients. He requested everyone to donate their blood plasma if they have recovered from the virus to save lives.
COVID-19: Lockdown in Puducherry from May 10 to 24With the union territory of Puducherry witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, the territorial government on Saturday imposed a two-week lockdown starting from May 10, in a bid to curb its spread.
The Secretary to Government (Relief and Rehabilitation), Ashok Kumar, in an order, said the lockdown would be in addition to the night curfew already in force from 10 pm to 5 am the next day.
The lockdown was being imposed as there was no let up in the increased cases of coronavirus in the Union Territory, he said.
"The lock down will be in force for two weeks from May 10 midnight to May 24," he said in the order.
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).
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 availability of medicines needed to treat COVID-19.
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. At the time the centre had agreed and wanted an audit to be performed, but the Delhi government had opposed it.