India Coronavirus Updates: The Covid caseload surged to 1.95 crore on Sunday (File)
A huge surge of 3.68 lakh fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours took India's total caseload to 1.99 crore.
The country saw 3,417 deaths linked to Covid during this period, which takes the total number of deaths to 2.18 lakh.
On Sunday, the country reported the highest number of deaths since the start of the pandemic with 3,689 people dying. 3,92,488 infections were recorded during the previous 24 hours, six per cent higher than the latest daily spike.
Meanwhile, for the second straight day, Delhi reported over 400 Covid deaths on Sunday while the positivity rate - the rate at which people getting tested for Covid receive positive results - dropped below 30 per cent, according to the state health bulletin. The city also added 20,394 fresh cases.
It reported 407 deaths on Sunday, a tad behind the 412 deaths on Saturday, the highest so far. The positivity rate stood at 28.33 per cent.
At least 24 patients have died at the District Hospital in Chamarajanagar in Karnataka in the last 24 hours, officials said. Some of the patients died due to shortage of medical oxygen, according to District Incharge Minister Suresh Kumar.
"Twenty-four patients, including COVID-19 patients, died at Chamarajanagar District Hospital due to oxygen shortage and others reasons in last 24 hours. We are waiting for the death audit report," Mr Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The patients died reportedly between 12 to 2 am.
At least 144 patients are being treated at the hospital.
Here are the Live Updates On Coronavirus Latest News in India:
Arvind Kejriwal Reviews Meeting To Strengthen Home Isolation System For Covid Patients
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday held a review meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary Health to further strengthen home isolation system for COVID-19 patients, reported news agency ANI.
Mr Kejriwal instructed authorities to strengthen the home isolation system so that patients can get good treatment with timely counselling and to keep in touch with patients undergoing treatment in home isolation.
He said that a clear record should be kept of how many COVID-19 positive patients are going to the hospital and how many are being treated in home isolation.
As per a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Arvind Kejriwal, in a COVID-19 review meeting, also said that people undergoing treatment in home isolation will get a call within 24 hours of testing positive and their counselling will begin.
Bengal Reports 17,501 Fresh Covid Cases, 98 New Deaths In 24 HoursWest Bengal's coronavirus tally went up to 8,80,894 on Monday after another 17,501 people tested positive for the virus, while Kolkata reported its highest one-day spike of 3,990 cases, the health department said in a bulletin, reported news agency PTI. 98 fresh fatalities took the death count to 11,637, the bulletin said.
In 24 hours, 15,937 recoveries have been registered in West Bengal, taking the total number of cured people to 7,49,296.
The number of active cases now stands at 1,19,961 in Bengal, the bulletin said.
Doctors Interning At 2 State-Run Colleges In Nagpur To Go On Strike Over Covid AllowanceDoctors interning in Nagpur's Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), seeking Rs 50,000 COVID-19 allowance, have announced a strike from Tuesday, a doctor said on Monday, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking on behalf of the intern doctors, Dr Shubham Nagre said 200 intern doctors at the GMCH and 150 others at the IGGMCH will not join internship duties until they get a written assurance from authorities.
Over 2.15 Lakh Beneficiaries In 18-44 Age Group Vaccinated In 24 Hours Monday
As many as 2,15,185 beneficiaries in the age group of 18 to 44 years received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Monday, reported news agency ANI.
According to the ministry release, the vaccination drive is underway in 12 states and union territories.
Cumulatively, with 1,08,188 administered doses, Gujarat has vaccinated the most beneficiaries between the age bracket of 18 to 44 years, followed by Rajasthan with 75,817 and Maharashtra with 73,455.
Indian Air Force Airlifts 900 Oxygen Cylinders From UK Amid Acute Shortage
The first batch of 900 oxygen cylinders offered by the British Oxygen Company was airlifted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to India on Monday.
The British Oxygen Company has offered 5,000 oxygen cylinders to India to help the country in its fight against rapidly spreading second wave of COVID-19.
In a tweet, the High Commission of India, London said: "5000 Oxygen Cylinders (46 Ltr) contributed free of cost by British Oxygen Company. 1st batch of 900 cylinders airlifted by Indian Air Force @IAF_MCC to India this morning. Thank you @boconline @RoyalAirForce & SERCO for local logistics support. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar."
Show-Cause Notice To Private Hospital In Ghaziabad Over Admission "Irregularities"The administration in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad has issued a show-cause notice to a private hospital in the district on Monday for alleged irregularities in the admission of patients, officials said, reported news agency PTI. The action was taken following the orders of Senthil Pandian, the nodal officer designated by the Uttar Pradesh government for COVID-19 management.
A team of officials raided the Lee Crest hospital in Vasundhara and detected irregularities in the admission of patients, they added.
The management of the hospital could not come up with any satisfactory answer when asked about a computer-generated poster displayed outside saying "no beds available", officiating District Magistrate Krishna Karunesh told the news agency.
Private Hospitals In Noida Can't Ask Attendants Of Covid Patients To Arrange For Oxygen: OfficialDoctors of private hospital in Noida cannot ask attendants of Covid positive patients to arrange for oxygen, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Deepak Ohri said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. The onus must be on the private hospitals to arrange for the live-saving gas, he said.
This comes in the wake of multiple hospitals in Noida and Greater Noida claiming shortage of medical oxygen and several people facing extreme difficulties in procuring oxygen cylinders for their patients in hospitals and home isolation.
However, the district administration has refuted such claims and said it has made oxygen and medicines adequately available and is scaling up its efforts for more amid a raging pandemic.
"All private doctors are being directed to not ask relative or attendant of any patient to procure oxygen cylinders because it leads to problematic situation and causes trouble to everyone. Hence, it is being stopped with immediate effect," the CMO stated in an order issued Monday evening.
Mr Ohri said the direction has been issued to prevent causing inconvenience to attendants of COVID-19 patients as the responsibility for oxygen arrangement has been put on private hospitals.
Mumbai To Administer Only 2nd Dose Of Vaccine To All Above 45 On TuesdayVaccination drive for people above 45 years will be restricted to the administration of the second dose on Tuesday in Mumbai given the shortage of vaccines, the city civic body said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
However, the inoculation drive will continue normally for the people in the age group of 18 to 44 at the five designated centres, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a release.
"Considering the limited number of vaccine doses, only the second dose will be administered to the citizens above 45 years on Tuesday at select centres operated by the BMC and the state government," it said.
No Vaccination On Tuesday For All Above 45 At Ahmedabad Civic CentresThe Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has suspended Covid vaccine drive on May 4 for those above the age of 45 at facilities run by it due to the non-availability of doses, the civic body said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
Apart from those above the age of 45, vaccination for frontline and healthcare workers at Urban Health Centres, Community Health Centres and AMC-run hospitals and halls will also remain suspended on Tuesday, the AMC said in a release.
Delhi Police Supply Remdesivir, Covid Medical Resources To Hospitals, Care Centres
The Delhi Police on Monday took steps to supply Remdesivir and other Covid medical resources to hospitals and care centres that need them, reported news agency ANI. Lifesaving injections, medicines, oxygen and equipment like oxygen concentrators are being released to hospitals and care centres for use by needy patients.
So far, 86 Remdesivir injections have been released to hospitals that include Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, BSA Hospital, Deepchand Bandhu Hospital, Park Hospital, Kailash Hospital, CDMO, Terapanth Chhatarpur, Rohini Covid Care Centre and DDMA North.
90 Fabipiravur tablets have been given to Deepchand Bandhu Hospital and over 100 Remdesivir injections are in the process of being released, awaiting orders from the authorities concerned.
70 oxygen cylinders have been released to institutions that include the official in charge of DDMA West district, CDMO Terapanth Ansari Hospital, World Brain Centre Hospital, Aarya Hospital, Bhagat Chandra Hospital in south west district.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Announces Incentives For Front-Line Covid WarriorsJammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha approved special financial incentives for Covid warriors of the health and medical education department on Monday and said they are rendering valuable services in the challenging times of the pandemic, reported news agency PTI.
The Union Territory administration has decided to incentivise their efforts, he said.
Announcing incentives for the front-line workers who directly deal with Covid patients, the LG said the decision will benefit over 17,000 covid warriors, including resident doctors, medical officers, paramedical, nursing staff, drivers and class-4 employees.
The incentive will be Rs 10,000 per month for resident doctors, PGs and medical officers, Rs 7,000 per month for the nursing and paramedical staff and Rs 5,000 per month for the drivers, sweepers and attendants, he said.
These incentives shall initially be given for three months starting May.
Yogi Adityanath Urges Sportpersons To Raise Awareness About Covid PotocolsUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday urged sportspersons to spread awareness about Covid protocols and safety guidelines through appeals and messages, the state government said in a statement, reported news agency PTI.
In a virtual interaction with sportspersons, Yogi Adityanath said, "The Centre and the state government is making every possible effort to fight Covid and this is not the time for negative things."
"We all should increase the morale of doctors, health workers, paramedics, cleanliness workers, front-line workers and corona warriors and provide support to the society," he added.
Give priority to Maharashtra in vaccine allocation: State Health Minister to Serum InstituteMaharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope urged Serum Institute of India Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla to give priority to the state in providing its anti-coronavirus vaccine as the government was ready to purchase doses from the Pune-based company. He said the Maharashtra government was even ready to purchase Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V.
Mr Tope said since Mr Poonawalla hails from Pune, he should think about Maharashtra and give priority to his home state in allocating Covishield, the coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India.
Oxygen Express Make A Dash For Gurgaon With Four TankersAn "Oxygen Express" train carrying 85.23 tons of liquid medical oxygen left from Hapa near Jamnagar in Gujarat for Gurugram in Haryana today, said Western Railway officials. The liquid medical oxygen is to be supplied to hospitals in Delhi and adjoining areas, all battling a severe surge in coronavirus cases and a resultant spike in demand for the vital gas.
"A Ro-Ro (roll on roll off) service carrying four tankers loaded with liquid medical oxygen left from Hapa in Gujarat at 6:37am on May 3 and will reach Gurugram in Haryana in the morning of May 4. The Oxygen Express, carrying 85.23 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in four tankers, will traverse 1,088 kilometres to reach its destination," a railways release read.
Tamil Nadu sees 20,952 new cases, 122 deaths
Tamil Nadu recorded an all-time high in new COVID-19 infections adding 20,952 cases to the caseload of 12,28,064 while 122 deaths pushed the count to 14,468 so far, the Health Department said. With the increase in new infections, DMK chief MK Stalin, set to become the Chief Minister, met at his residence Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan and Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan.
Italy sends team of experts, oxygen generation plant to IndiaItaly has sent to India a team of experts, an oxygen generation plant and 20 ventilators to assist the country in its fight against a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. A C-130 aircraft of the Italian Air Force carrying the equipment and the team of experts landed in Delhi.
The team comprised personnel from the Maxiemergenza group of the Piedmont Region, a doctor from the Lombardy region and a representative of the Ministry of Health, the Italian embassy said.
Germany's Oktoberfest cancelled again over Covid
Germany's iconic Oktoberfest beer festival will be cancelled this year for the second year running due to the pandemic, Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder said. "In the classic beer tents at the big festivals, social distancing, masks and other measures are practically impossible to implement," he said after talks with Munich mayor Dieter Reiter.
Sikkim reports 27 new COVID-19 cases, one more death
Sikkim's COVID-19 tally rose to 8,468 as 27 more people tested positive for the virus while one new fatality pushed the death count to 150, a health department bulletin said. The new COVID-19 cases were reported from East Sikkim district, 13, West Sikkim, 10, and South Sikkim district, 4, it said.
CT-Scan harmful for youngsters: AIIMS Chief
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria says CT-Scan and biomarkers are being misused. "There is no advantage in doing CT-Scan if you have mild symptoms. One CT-Scan is equivalent to 300 chest x-rays, it's very harmful... can cause cancer," he said.
Centre plans to use gaseous oxygen for medical purposes
"We're planning to use gaseous oxygen for medical purposes. Industrial units that make oxygen which is suitable for medical purpose and are near cities, we're planning to make temporary COVID care centers with oxygenated beds around them," says Lav Agarwal, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary.
Sufficient amount of medical oxygen in India: Health MinistryThe health ministry said every state should identify districts of concern. It said areas of cluster of cases should be identified and focus should be on testing and surveillance.
The ministry said production of oxygen has increased by 125 per cent and there has been an increase in sales of medical-grade oxygen.
"We have sufficient amount of oxygen. People should not panic," the ministry officials said.
Positive approach in Covid recoveries seen: Health Ministry
"We're seeing a positive approach in recoveries too. On May 2, the recovery rate was at 78 per cent and on May 3 it climbed up to almost 82 per cent. These are early gains on which we have to work on regularly," says Lav Agarwal, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary.
Early signs of plateauing in Covid in some states: Health MinistryThe health ministry said some early signs of plateauing have been seen in the country --- cases have reduced in many districts of Chhattisgarh, Ladakh and in some areas in Maharashtra.
The ministry joint secretary said some states are showing increasing trends in COVID cases, these states should take required precautionary measures. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Karnataka Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya are among those states.
Delhi Government Provides 10 Oxygen Cylinders To IBS Hospital After SOS
The Delhi government on Monday rushed ten D-type oxygen cylinders to the IBS hospital in Lajpat Nagar after an SOS was received regarding the shortage of medical oxygen.
"We have rushed 10 D-type oxygen cylinders from our SOS reserves to IBS hospital in Lajpat Nagar, which would help them tide over the crisis," AAP MLA Raghav Chadha said on Twitter.
"Sincerely hope that with the intervention of judiciary, the Centre will finally be charitable enough to give Delhi its share of oxygen," he added.
A journalist tagged the Delhi MLA in his tweet and sent out the SOS saying that IBS Hospital in Lajpat Nagar was running out of Oxygen and 37 patients were on oxygen support.
Pfizer In Talks With India Over Expedited Approval For COVID-19 Vaccine
Pfizer is in discussions with the Indian government seeking an "expedited approval pathway" for its COVID-19 vaccine, its CEO Albert Bourla said on LinkedIn on Monday, announcing a donation of medicines worth more than $70 million.
"Unfortunately, our vaccine is not registered in India although our application was submitted months ago," he said.
"We are currently discussing with the Indian government an expedited approval pathway to make our Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine available for use in the country," he added.
Covid Vaccination For People Above 18 Years Begins In Delhi
The third and largest phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive to inoculate people in the 18-45 age group began in Delhi today.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said 301 centres have been established in 76 schools in the city. He visited a vaccination centre in West Vinod Nagar.
"Mass vaccination for youth of Delhi has begun in Delhi. We have established 301 centers in 76 schools. Our target is to establish 3,000 such centers in 300 schools, subjected (sic) to the availability of vaccine," he said in a tweet.
Around 90 lakh people are eligible for the jabs under this category in Delhi.
The government set up the vaccination centres in schools to accommodate the large number of beneficiaries in this phase, an official said.
24 Patients, Some Covid +ve, Die Within 2 Hours In Karnataka Hospital
At least 24 patients have died at the District Hospital in Chamarajanagar in Karnataka in the last 24 hours, officials said. Some of the patients died due to shortage of medical oxygen, according to District Incharge Minister Suresh Kumar.
"Twenty-four patients, including COVID-19 patients, died at Chamarajanagar District Hospital due to oxygen shortage and others reasons in last 24 hours. We are waiting for the death audit report," Mr Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The patients died reportedly between 12 to 2 am.
At least 144 patients are being treated at the hospital.
Telangana Reports 5,695 New Covid Cases In The Last 24 Hours
Telangana reported 5,695 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the State Health Department said on Monday.
A total of 6,206 patients recovered while 49 lost their lives in the same time period.
The tally of coronavirus cases in the state now stands at 4,56,485. There are currently 80,135 active cases in Telangana.
The state has reported 3,73,933 recoveries while 2417 deaths were recorded as per the official report.
The recovery rate of the state is 81.91 per cent and the case fatality rate stands at 0.52 per cent.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: UP BJP spokesperson Manoj Mishra dies of COVID-19, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expresses grief
Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh Manoj Mishra died due to COVID-19 in the wee hours on Monday.
He was admitted to a hospital in Kanpur after he had tested positive for COVID-19, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India reports 3,68,147 new COVID-19 cases, 3417 deaths
India registered a slight dip in COVID-19 cases as it registered 3,68,147 new coronavirus infections and 3,417 related deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the union health ministry on Monday morning. With this, the cumulative count of the cases has gone up to 1,99,25,604, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Mumbai man provides food to 200 home isolated COVID-19 patients
As the second wave of COVID-19 continues to make life difficult for people in the country, many Good Samaritans are going the extra mile to help those in need. Rajiv Singal, a Mumbai-based businessman, is providing food to the people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in home isolation, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: DRDO delivers 50 oxygen cylinders to Hyderabad's Gandhi Hospital
To meet the urgent requirements of Covid-19 patients, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday handed over 50 oxygen cylinders to Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Odisha reports 8,914 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours
Odisha recorded 8,914 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the state health department said on Monday.
With this, the total number of confirmed cases in Odisha has gone up to 4,71,536. Currently, there are 71,835 active cases of COVID-19 in the state, ANI reported.
Covid-19: Cricket Australia donates $50,000 to help India fight pandemic
Australian Cricket will be throwing its support behind the India COVID-19 Crisis Appeal, with Cricket Australia, the Australian Cricketers' Association and UNICEF Australia partnering to raise much-needed funds, ANI reported.
COVID-19: Delhi Lieutenant Governor seeks action plan to address shortage of hospital beds, oxygen
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal on Sunday asked concerned departments and agencies to submit an action plan with regard to the availability of hospital beds, medicines, medical oxygen as well as increasing the capacity of crematoriums and graveyards amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, ANI reported.
"Lt Governor has sought further advise from concerned departments and agencies with regard to the availability of key medicines, beds, medical oxygen and augmentation of capacities at crematoriums and graveyards, with the aim of addressing the ongoing problems being faced by people," LG office said in a tweet from its official handle.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: One death, 140 fresh virus cases in LadakhOne more person died from coronavirus in Ladakh as 140 fresh cases surfaced, pushing infection count in the union territory to 14,226, according to officials on Monday.
So far, 145 people have died due to the infection in the UT, comprising Leh and Kargil districts, PTI reported.
Vaccination, Essential Services Allowed During Lockdown In HaryanaVaccination centres, banks and essential services will remain functional during the weeklong lockdown in Haryana from Monday imposed amid a sharp surge in coronavirus cases.
Vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group began in the state on Sunday.
An official order on Sunday evening detailing the lockdown guidelines said that considering the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases across the state, the Haryana government has considered it necessary to take effective measures to prevent its spread in the state.
The state on Sunday recorded its biggest single-day jump with 145 deaths taking the count to 4,486 while 13,322 fresh infections pushed the infection count to 5,14,888.
13 Opposition Leaders Request Centre To Launch Free Mass Vaccination DriveLeaders of 13 Opposition parties Sunday urged the Centre to launch a free mass vaccination drive across the country in view of the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a joint statement, they also called upon the Centre to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to all hospitals and health centres as they manage the staggering patient loads in view of the rising cases.
The signatories include Congress president Sonia Gandhi, JDS leader and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
"In times of the uncontrollable surge of the pandemic across our country, we call upon the Central government to focus all attention in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of Oxygen supplies to all hospitals and health centres across the country," they said in a joint statement.
"We call upon the Central government to immediately launch a free mass vaccination programme across the country," they added.
The opposition leaders said the budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for the vaccination programme must be utilised for this drive.