Coronavirus Latest Updates:The death count increased to 2,78,719 with 4,329 new fatalities.
Nearly 69 per cent of India's COVID-19 cases are limited to only eight states, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry said today.
The country has reported over 2,63,000 daily cases in the last 24 hours. There has been a decrease of 27% from the highest peak of single-day cases India noted on May 7 (4,14,000), Lav Agarwal said.
He also added that "country's weekly average case positivity rate is 16.9%." "Case positivity rate in India is 14.10% and more than 15% positivity rate in 22 states," he said.
Describing state and district officials as "field commanders" in the fight against COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said localised containment zones, aggressive testing, and sharing correct and complete information with people are weapons to defeat the pandemic.
Interacting with them at a meeting, which was attended by district magistrates from 46 districts across nine states, through video-conferencing, PM Modi said they were free to innovate to suit their local requirements and asked them to share their feedback about any change in policy without any inhibition.
Asserting that vaccination is a strong way to fight COVID-19, PM Modi said myths about it have to be collectively rooted out.
He added that continuous efforts are being made to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine supply in a big way, asserting that attempts are on to provide states a 15-day advance schedule of the programme as it will allow them to prepare accordingly.
Testing, tracking, treatment, and COVID appropriate behaviour are some of the key things required to check the spread of the virus, PM Modi said.
Hailing officials, the prime minister said many of them worked despite being COVID-19 positive while some lost their family members but they gave duty foremost priority.
He said a lot of attention has to be paid to rural and remote areas during the second wave of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 death count climbed to 2,78,719 with a record 4,329 fresh fatalities, while the single-day rise in coronavirus cases stood at 2.63 lakh, the lowest in 28 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
The country reported 2,63,533 new cases in a span of 24 hours, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,52,28,996, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A total of 2,59,170 cases were reported in a span of 24 hours on April 20.
The active cases further reduced to 33,53,765 comprising 13.29 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 85.60 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Here are the Highlights on India Coronavirus (Covid-19 Cases) Cases:
As Covid Graph Declines, Vacant Hospital Beds Increase In DelhiThe declining number of daily COVID-19 cases in Delhi has resulted in increase in the number of vacant beds and intensive care units in the city's hospitals, giving much needed respite to its citizens. On Tuesday, of the total available beds, 12,907 were vacant while 14,805 were occupied.
The COVID-19 situation in Delhi has been showing signs of improvements over the past few days with the number of cases and positivity rate going down steadily.
The national capital on Tuesday reported 4,482 Covid-19 cases - the lowest single-day rise since April 5 - and 265 fatalities, while the positivity rate dipped to 6.89 per cent, according to the latest health bulletin released by the city government.
Assam Vaccinated Only 15% Residents, Young Struggle To Book SlotsAssam had estimated it has to vaccinate about 70 lakh people above the age of 60 years, and there will be around 1.08 crore people between the age of 18 and 60 years.
Till Monday, the state vaccinated more than 21 lakh people above the age of 60 years and around 7 lakh people from the other group. Overall, that amounts to only 15.33 per cent of the eligible population.
Only 6.48 per cent people have been vaccinated in the 18-44-year age group so far.
Sudan Bans Travellers From India, Imposes Other Covid RestrictionsSudan will restrict all travellers who have visited India within the prior two weeks, the country's health emergency committee said in a statement.
India's total COVID-19 caseload topped 25 million on Tuesday, and there are concerns about the spread of a new, highly infectious B.1.617 variant, first found there.
Sudan's health emergency committee also warned that total COVID-19 cases in the African country could top the 100,000 mark by mid-June if restrictions were not imposed.
The country's fragile health system has been strained by the coronavirus epidemic, with patients struggling to access hospital beds, oxygen and medications.
Travellers coming from Egypt and Ethiopia would be re-tested the committee said.
The commission also ordered schools and universities to be closed for one month starting immediately, and restricted large social gatherings as well as mass prayers.
It also set a mask mandate in markets, workplaces, and public transport.
The committee reported a total of more than 34,707 cases as of May 16, however officials have said that real numbers are likely to be much higher given low rates of testing.
Total Number Of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered In India Crosses 18.57 CroreThe cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has gone past 18.57 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.
It said 5,14,408 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday and cumulatively 64,60,624 across 36 states and union territories since the start of the third phase of the vaccination drive.
The 64,60,624 beneficiaries include 10,10,263 from Rajasthan, 8,67,815 from Bihar, 7,69,590 from Delhi, 6,60,686 from Maharashtra, 6,38,790 from Uttar Pradesh, 5,46,468 from Haryana and 5,12,689 from Gujarat and 3,08,282 from Assam.
Delhi Government To Bear Medical Expenses Of Covid+ Doctor Of Raja Harishchandra Hospital: Health MinisterHealth Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said the Delhi government will take care of the medical expenses of a Covid-positive doctor battling for life in a private hospital in Gurgaon.
"Our corona warriors are our strength and the Delhi government stands with them in these tough times," he said.
Corona Situation Under Control In Odisha: CM Naveen PatnaikOdisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday claimed that the corona situation in the state is under control due to emphasis on vaccination and timely administrative measure of lockdown.
In the fight against the deadly virus, the administration decided to ramp up testing to 70,000 a day and add 368 more ICU beds for the treatment of critical patients.
"Vaccination should be the prime strategy to curb the COVId-19 situation," he said.
Jharkhand Says Moving Towards Becoming Oxygen Surplus StateJharkhand on Tuesday said it is moving towards becoming a medical oxygen surplus state and is gearing up to cater to the needs of other states, news agency PTI reported.
The state has constituted an oxygen task force to ensure uninterrupted supply of the life saving thing for patients.
Terming the second wave as "worrying" and "fatal", an official statement quoted the National Clinical Registry saying that issues related to breathing difficulties in the first wave was 41.7 per cent, which increased to 47.5 per cent in the second wave.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh Dispatches COVID-Related Materials To Jammu And KashmirUnion Minister Jitendra Singh dispatched consignments of face masks, sanitiser and other COVID-19-related materials for Jammu and Srinagar on Tuesday, according to an official statement, news agency PTI reported.
He said that similar consignments had been sent to the six districts of Jammu and Kashmir falling in his Udhampur parliamentary constituency earlier.
Covid Second Wave Extremely Severe In Assam, Chief Minister Seeks Funds From PeopleAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the impact of the second wave of COVID- 19 has been "extremely severe" in the northeastern state for which medical infrastructure needs to be strengthened.
Through his social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, Mr Sarma appealed to the public to contribute generously to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund or the Assam Arogya Nidhi account to support the governments efforts in handling the pandemic.
"The impact of the second wave of COVID-19 has been extremely severe in Assam. Against this backdrop, there is a need to further strengthen the medical infrastructure in the state," a statement issued by the Office of the Chief Minister said.
The pandemic has been the "greatest health challenge" and it has caused untold suffering to humanity with many precious lives being lost, Mr Sarma said.
Maximum 25 People In Weddings, Related Functions: UP Government's New OrderThe Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday issued fresh directives allowing a maximum of 25 people to take part in wedding and other functions in view of the coronavirus pandemic, news agency PTI reported.
The responsibility of complying with these conditions will be that of organisers, the order said.
Maharashtra Reports 28,438 New Covid Cases, 679 Deaths In Last 24 HoursMaharashtra reported 28,438 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours while the state recorded 679 COVID-19 deaths in the same period.
52,898 Covid patients were discharged today while the recovery rate in the state stands at 90.69%.
Meanwhile, Mumbai's daily coronavirus case figure has dropped below the 1,000-mark after over 10 weeks. The Maharashtra capital, which had been ravaged by the dangerous second wave of Covid infections in April, on Tuesday logged just 953 cases, lowest since March 2. However, testing has sharply declined compared to the April levels.
COVID-19: Online Registration Hindering Inoculation Of Labourers In UttarakhandThe compulsory requirement of registering online to get a vaccine shot is coming in the way of labourers and their families getting inoculated as they are mostly illiterate and do not have gadgets, according to officials.
"The government has made it clear that online registration is a must to get the vaccine. Poor labourers who are mostly uneducated and illiterate find it difficult to register online for vaccination. They do not even have the gadgets that are needed for online registration," Assistant Labour Commissioner KL Gupta said.
Around seven thousand labourers are registered in Rishikesh who work on different projects in the town and the nearby rural areas, he said.
Apart from that, thousands of labourers are also engaged separately in the laying of Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail line and the chardham all weather road project.
Meghalaya Reports Highest Single-Day Spike Of 906 COVID-19 CasesMeghalaya on Tuesday reported the highest single-day spike of 906 COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 24,872, a senior health department official said.
The COVID-19 death count in the state rose to 355 as 19 more people died of the disease, Health Services Director Aman War said.
19,428 New Covid Cases In Bengal, Positivity Rate Climbs To All Time High Of 10.13%
West Bengal reported 19,428 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours as positivity rate climbed to an all time high of 10.13%.
145 deaths have been reported in the state including 38 deaths in Kolkata and 36 in N24 Parganas.
Telangana Records 3,982 COVID-19 Cases, 27 Deaths; Shows Declining Trends Due To LockdownTelangana on Tuesday reported 3,982COVID-19 cases taking the tally to over 5.36 lakh while the toll stood at 3,012 with 27 casualties, a senior Public Health Department official said.
G Srinivasa Rao, Director of Public Health, said the state currently has 48,110 active cases and the ongoing lockdown is yielding desired results.
A government bulletin saidGreater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 607, followed by Rangareddy (262) and Khammam (247).
Centre Sends Over 11,000 Oxygen Concentrators, Nearly 16,000 Cylinders Received As Global Aid To States/UTsThe Central government has dispatched 11,325 oxygen concentrators, 15,801 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 8,526 ventilators/Bi-PAP, and about 6.1 lakhs Remdesivir vials to various states and union territories (UTs) which were received as foreign aid.
According to a press release, these supplies were dispatched between April 27 and May 17 this year.
"Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as international cooperation in the form of grants, aid and donations," the statement further added.
Covaxin Phase 2/3 Trials In Children Till 18 To Begin In 10-12 DaysThe Phase II/III clinical trials of Covaxin, indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, in the 2-18-year-olds will begin in the next 10-12 days, senior NITI Aayog member VK Paul announced Tuesday.
On May 13, India gave clearance for Covaxin trials on children aged between two years and 18 years.
"COVAXIN has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), for Phase II/III clinical trials in the age group of 2 to 18 years. I have been told that trials will begin in the next 10-12 days," said Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog.
The trial will take place in 525 subjects at various sites.
Delhi Receives Over 60,000 Covaxin Doses For 45+, Key Workers: AAP MLA AtishiDelhi on Tuesday received over 60,000 Covaxin doses for key workers and those aged above 45, AAP MLA Atishi said.
Still, the city has only two days of Covaxin stock left for this category, while Covishield doses for the group can last up to four days, she said.
She also said that 1.13 lakh beneficiaries received jabs on May 17. Around 10.75 lakh people have got both the doses since the inoculation drive began on January 16.
COVID-19 Night Curfew Extended For Another 3 Days In 36 Gujarat CitiesThe night curfew in 36 cities of Gujarat, including nine metros, has been extended by three more days to control the spread of coronavirus, the state government said on Monday.
As per the decision taken by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the limited restrictions, including the curfew between 8 pm and 6 am, will continue to be in place in 36 cities from Tuesday to Thursday, a government release said.
Restrictions currently in force in other parts of Gujarat except these 36 cities will also continue between 6 am on May 18 till 6 am on May 20, it said.
Odisha Extends Lockdown With Stricter Restrictions Till June 1With Odisha continuing to report around 10,000 new COVID-19 cases daily, the state government on Tuesday extended the ongoing lockdown with stricter restrictions by two more weeks till on June 1.
Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra announced this a day before the completion of the tenure of the first phase of lockdown at 5 am on May 19.
The chief secretary said that the complete weekend shutdown on Saturdays and Sundays, when only hospitals and medical outlets are allowed to operate, will also continue as earlier.
Mohapatra said that some stricter measures will be taken in the second phase of the lockdown. During the first phase, people got six hours from 6 am daily to purchase essential items, but now the window was reduced to five hours.
Maharashtra Must Aim To Produce 3,000 MT Medical Oxygen Per Day: Uddhav ThackerayMaharashtra cannot afford to rely on others for medical oxygen in the present COVID-19 situation and priority must be given to produce 3,000 metric tons of the vital gas per day in the state itself, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday.
The second wave of infections appears to be ebbing but the state must be prepared with health infrastructure as experts have predicted a third wave, the CM said.
The second wave was a strong one and patients needed oxygen on a large-scale due to which the state government was encouraging the setting up of oxygen generation plants, he added.
COVID-19: Online Registration Hurdling Inoculation Of Labourers In Uttarakhand
The compulsory requirement of registering online to get a vaccine shot is coming in the way of labourers and their families getting inoculated as they are mostly illiterate and do not have gadgets, according to officials. The SOP issued by the Uttarakhand government has kept the movement of labourers in the organised and unorganised sectors free even during a curfew to keep construction works going unhindered, but there is no arrangement yet on how labourers and their families will get vaccinated. "The government has made it clear that online registration is a must to get the vaccine. Poor labourers who are mostly uneducated and illiterate find it difficult to register online for vaccination. They do not even have the gadgets that are needed for online registration," Assistant Labour Commissioner KL Gupta said.
Stop Singapore Flights: Arvind Kejriwal To Centre Over New Covid Strain
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has flagged a new Covid variant which he said has been detected in Singapore and is proving dangerous for children. Arguing that it can "come as a third wave" in India, he suggested that the Centre takes immediate measures, including suspension of flights to and from Singapore.
Read Here COVID-19: CBSE Extends Deadline Till June 30 For Schools To Tabulate Marks For Class 10
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday extended the deadline up to June 30 for schools to tabulate class 10 marks and submit it to the board, according to officials. The board had earlier announced that the entire exercise of tabulation of marks will be completed by June 11 and the result will be declared by June 20. The decision has been taken in view of the lockdown in several states due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation and to ensure safety of teachers and staff members.
Coronavirus News: ''Corona curfew'' Extended Across Madhya Pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh government has extended the ''corona curfew'' in all 52 districts of the state for different durations, a senior official said on Tuesday. In the state capital Bhopal, the coronavirus-induced curfew has been extended till 6 am on May 24, while in the industrial hub of Indore, it will remain in force till May 29 night, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr Rajesh Rajora said in a release.
Coronavirus: UK Steps To Open Up Impacted By Spread Of India-Dominant Variant
Britain is confident that existing vaccines will provide protection from a more transmissible variant dominant in India now spreading across the country, Heath Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday. And hours later, he was able to announce that the country had passed the milestone of 20 million adults vaccinated with two doses of the coronavirus jab.
Coronavirus: Odisha Registers 10,321 New COVID-19 Cases, 22 More Deaths
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload surged to 6,33,302 on Tuesday after 10,321 more people tested positive for the infection, while 22 fresh fatalities pushed the count to 2,357, a health department official said. Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 1,04,539, he said. Of the 10,321 new cases, 5,779 were reported from various quarantine centres and the rest detected during contact tracing, the official said.
"Ma, You're Lying": He Wasn't Told Twin Died Of Covid, He Died Next Day
Joefred and Ralphred Gregory were born on April 23, 1997. The identical twins celebrated their 24th birthday this April and both caught Covid a day later. They died last week in a hospital in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, just hours apart. On May 13, their parents Gregory Raymond and Soja Raphael, both teachers in Meerut, learnt from Anand hospital that Joefred had died of Covid. Their world collapsed around them.
Read Here Vaccine drive will also continue amid all this, and you all must also ensure that there is no vaccine wastage. Vaccine wastage can be reduced to nil, if we follow the best practices. Not just that you all are also the logistical heads of all these efforts, and your efforts in these areas must be flawless.
We must ensure 2 things - 1) That the virus is also controlled as well as 2) people get basic daily needs fulfilled. Both are crucial.
Oxygen supply to districts is also being worked out and soon you shall receive plants to ensure that the supply of medical oxygen is there in your district. As and when they are reaching your district, please follow the protocol and ensure that these are set up and utilised in an optimal manner.
In the midst of this severe 2nd wave of COVID-19, we must pay very close attention to rural areas and villages and monitor the situation as a topmost priority. We have to ensure that the most backward person in the remotest village also be attended to.
You all must ensure that few things are given very high priority. One is that information on hospitals, beds, medical aid is available to the residents of your zila (district). Another is to crack down on anyone who is indulging in black-marketing activities. As commanders on the ground, you must do this. I would also like to tell you all that you have the freedom of taking the best decision you feel would best suit your zila (district). You hereby have the freedom to take whatever decision you feel is best to deal with the situation in your area. However, you must send back valuable feedback on what you are doing and how that has been effective.
Each one of you have monitored the situation in your respective districts. Each of you have dealt with it in a unique way, keeping in mind the unique challenges in your district. I request you to send me notes on how you have dealt with it, and good ideas from one district can help another and I will help send these ideas to other districts too. I will facilitate that. When one district (Zila) wins against Corona, overcomes the pandemic, then it is a victory for all of India. This is no less than a war, and you are in the midst of a war, and in many ways you are the field commanders of this war. And hence your efforts matter immensely.
Coronavirus: Arunachal Pradesh Logs Highest One-Day Spike Of 304 New COVID-19 Cases
Arunachal Pradesh recorded its highest single-day spike of 304 new COVID-19 cases, which pushed the tally to 22,106, while four more fatalities raised the toll to 85, a senior official said here on Tuesday. Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 2,346, State Surveillance Officer Dr Lobsang Jampa said. Of the 304 fresh cases, 267 were detected through rapid antigen tests, 22 with the help of RT-PCR and 15 via TrueNat, Jampa said, adding that 123 people were found to have developed symptoms.
COVID-19 News: Top Medical Experts Welcome Move To Remove Plasma Therapy From Covid Treatment Protocol
Several top medical experts have welcomed the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)'s updated advisory released on Monday dropping the use of convalescent plasma from recommended treatment protocols for COVID-19. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital chairman Dr DS Rana said plasma therapy has failed to change the "course of mortality" and asserted that some scientists are also of the view that it is helping in promoting mutations and variants.
Coronavirus News: India Records Highest One-Day Covid Deaths (4,329); 2.63 Lakh Fresh Cases
India saw another grim record with 4,329 Covid patients dying in the last 24 hours even as daily cases dropped to 2.63 lakh. This is the second consecutive day that the country reported less that 3 lakh cases.
Read Here COVID-19 India News: Security personnel deployed check vehicular pass in Kochi in wake of triple lockdown imposed in 4 districts of the state.
Coronavirus: AIIMS To Develop Guidelines To Treat Black Fungus
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is developing guidelines to treat black fungus or Mucormycosis, sources told ANI. Cases of black fungus have been reported in the country including Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. As per the Union Health Ministry, Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by a fungal infection. People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. It can also develop on the skin after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scrape, burn, or other type of skin trauma.
COVID-19: Ladakh Reports 130 Fresh Cases
With a single-day rise of 130 cases, Ladakh's COVID-19 tally climbed to 16,582 on Tuesday, while 134 patients were discharged from hospitals after they recuperated, pushing the total number of recoveries to 14,875, officials said. Of the 130 fresh cases in the Union Territory, 104 were reported from Leh and 26 from Kargil, they added. Of the 134 patients who recovered, 94 were in Leh while 40 were in Kargil, the officials said. The number of active cases in Ladakh has come down to 1,542 -- 1,277 in Leh district and 265 in Kargil district.
Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu Oxygen Crisis Sees Private Hospitals Say No To Covid Patients
Five Covid patients have died at a private hospital in Tamil Nadu's Salem in the past three days allegedly due to a shortage of medical oxygen. The deaths come after oxygen supply to 30 private hospitals in Salem was cut by over 50 per cent - from 20 kilolitres to eight. Oxygen was being supplied to Salem and western parts of the state by neighbouring Kerala, which was forced to cut it off to meet its own requirements.
Read Here COVID-19: Telangana To Set Up 48 Oxygen Generation Plants
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Monday directed the Medical and Health Department officials to set up 48 oxygen generation plants in government hospitals to produce 324 metric tonnes of oxygen required for Covid patients in the state. The Telangana Chief Minister, who held a high-level review meeting with the concerned officials at Pragathi Bhavan here on the Covid situation, asked the officials to ensure that there is no shortage of oxygen in the future and instructed the officials to set up an additional plant to produce 100 MT of liquid Oxygen in Hyderabad.
Coronavirus: 35 New Cases Take COVID-19 Tally Of Andamans To 6,638
The COVID-19 caseload in Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 6,638 as 35 more people tested positive for the disease in the Union Territory, a health department official said on Tuesday. All the new cases were detected during contact tracing, he said.
India Records 2,63,533 New Infections, 4,329 Deaths In 24 Hours
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 2,52,28,996 with 2,63,533 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 2,15,96,512, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death count increased to 2,78,719 with 4,329 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Mizoram reports 239 new COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths on Monday. Active cases at 2,108 and death count at 28.
Coronavirus: Maharashtra Covid Cases Drop Below 30,000 For First Time Since March-End
The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra plunged below the 30,000-mark on Monday with the state reporting 26,616 new infections, taking the count to 54,05,068, the health department said. This was the lowest single-day count since March 30 when the state had reported 27,918 infections.
Covid News: Denied Ayushman Benefit, Covid Patient Dies. Bhopal Hospital Gets Notice
Chirayu Hospital in Madhya Pradesh has been issued a show-cause notice by Ayushman Bharat authorities for denying the benefits of the scheme to a woman Covid patient despite the facility being empanelled under it. The hospital has denied the charge. S Viswanathan, the CEO of Ayushman Bharat "Niramayam", Madhya Pradesh today notified Chirayu Hospital after a video complaint of the woman's son, Yogesh Balwani, went viral on social media following her death on May 15.
COVID-19 News: US To Share Extra 20 Million Covid Vaccine Doses With Other Countries
President Joe Biden said Monday that the United States is surging exports of Covid vaccines to other countries to reclaim "American leadership" in the global fight against the pandemic, dismissing rival efforts by China and Russia. Biden confirmed that 20 million more doses of Covid vaccines are being released over the next six weeks, bringing the total earmarked for shipping out by the end of June to 80 million.
Coronavirus: Uttarakhand Extends Covid Curfew Till May 25
The Uttarakhand government on Monday announced that it has extended Covid curfew till May 25 due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the state. Giving information about the important decisions taken regarding the COVID-19 curfew in the high-level meeting, government spokesman Subodh Uniyal said that the COVID-19 lockdown will be implemented from May 18 to 6 am to May 25 at 6 am.
Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Effective Against India-Dominant Covid Variant: Study
The Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines should remain highly effective against two coronavirus variants first identified in India, according to new research carried out by US scientists. The lab-based study was carried out by the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Center and is considered preliminary because it has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Coronaviurs: Plasma Therapy Dropped As Treatment For COVID-19 By Government Task Force
Convalescent plasma therapy, widely used in hospitals for treating moderate coronavirus patients, has been dropped from the centre's list of COVID-19 treatments. The national Covid task force took the decision as the experimental procedure was found to be ineffective in reducing the progression of the disease or fatalities.
Read Here Coronavirus: 50 Doctors Reported Dead In 1 Day From Covid Across India: Medical Body
Anas Mujahid, 26, a junior Resident Doctor at Delhi's Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital -- a dedicated Covid specialty -- died within hours of testing positive due to Covid. He is the youngest of 244 doctors who have lost their lives to Covid this year in India's second wave. Last year, 736 doctors had lost their lives during the first wave. A total of nearly 1,000 doctors across India have lost their lives due to Covid so far.
Read Here J&K High Court Decides To Release Jail Inmates Amid Covid Second WaveThe Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday decided to release jail inmates in the union territory on 90 days interim bail in view of the Supreme Court directions.
A high-powered committee, headed by High Court Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, took the decision to release all the jail inmates as per the directions of the Supreme Court in March 2020, an official spokesman said.
Mr Magrey directed the J&K Legal Services Authority (JKLSA) to coordinate with the other two members of the Committee to know about the category of convicts and under trials, who can also be released, pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court.
After the completion of this exercise, a report will be placed before the Committee, the spokesman said.
Maharashtra Covid Cases Drop Below 30,000 For First Time Since March-EndThe number of daily COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra plunged below the 30,000-mark on Monday with the state reporting 26,616 new infections, taking the count to 54,05,068, the health department said.
This was the lowest single-day count since March 30 when the state had reported 27,918 infections.
According to a health department statement, 516 COVID-19 deaths were also reported, which took the number of fatalities due to the respiratory disease to 82,486.
Of the total deaths, 289 occurred over the past 48 hours, while 227 fatalities took place last week, but were added to the count on Monday, it said.
The statement said 48,211 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, pushing the number of recovered cases to 48,74,582.