Coronavirus Cases: The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,76,12,351.
With a record 4,14,188 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,14,91,598, while the active cases crossed the 36-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The death count has increased to 2,34,083 with 3,915 fatalities being reported in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
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, the Supreme Court today rejected the Centre's petition against a High Court order asking it to send 1,200 MT of oxygen to Karnataka.
"The Karnataka High Court order is a careful, calibrated exercise and we see no reason to entertain the Centre's appeal," the Supreme Court said.
The Centre had yesterday approached the Supreme Court against the High Court order asking it to increase daily liquid medical oxygen allocation for Karnataka from 965 MT to 1200 MT for treating COVID-19 patients.
Here are the Live updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
WHO Tells G7 Vaccine Inequity Unacceptable
The WHO's Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator programme for finding, developing and distributing coronavirus jabs, tests and therapeutics, is $19 billion short of its $22-billion target this year.
And a further $35 to $45 billion will be needed next year to ensure most adults around the world are immunised.
Tedros wants the G7 countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- to dig deep to help find solutions.
Telangana imposes restrictions, extends night curfew till May 15 amid Covid surgeAmid the surge in the COVID-19 cases, the Telangana government has extended the night curfew for another one week. The night curfew will remain in effect from 9 pm to 5 am until May 15. The state government has also issued orders restricting the gatherings at marriages and funerals.
The Telangana government has prohibited the gathering of more than 100 people at the marriage functions, while for the funerals and cremations, the maximum number has been restricted to 20.
UK eases some foreign travel curbsBritain announced that it was lifting a coronavirus ban on people in England going on holiday to Portugal and Israel due to their low infection and high vaccination rates. "I'm announcing today that from May 17 you will be able to travel to 12 green-list countries... which include Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel," Transport Minister Grant Shapps said.
However, popular destinations such as France, Spain and Greece are not yet on the green list, which is reviewed every three weeks. The 12 countries and territories on the list are: Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira; Australia; New Zealand; Singapore; Brunei; Iceland; Faroe Islands; Gibraltar; Falkland Islands; and Israel.
Delhi Records 19,832 New COVID-19 Cases, 341 DeathsDelhi recorded 341 more coronavirus deaths and 19,832 new infections today, while the positivity rate remained below 25 per cent for the second consecutive day, the Health Department said. This is the fourth time in the last five days that the number of new cases remained below 20,000.
There are 91,035 active cases and over 11.83 lakh people have recovered, according to a health bulletin. The positivity rate stood at 24.92 per cent, a bit higher than 24.29 per cent a day ago.
WHO approves China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine
The World Health Organization on Friday approved the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use -- the first Chinese jab to receive the WHO's green light. "This afternoon, WHO gave emergency use listing to Sinopharm Beijing's Covid-19 vaccine, making it the sixth vaccine to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy and quality," the UN health agency's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Israel dispatches second consignment of Covid medical supplies to IndiaIsrael has dispatched the second consignment of medical aid, including three large oxygen generator plants, to India to deal with the recent surge in coronavirus cases. An Indian Air Force aircraft carrying 360 oxygen concentrators and three large oxygen generator plants left Ben-Gurion Airport for India this afternoon.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said: "We stand by India the way it stood by us in the first weeks of the Corona crisis when they facilitated the arrival of vital medical equipment to Israel."
Curfew in Goa for 15 days from SundayThe Goa government has announced a 15-day curfew in the state from May 9 to contain the spread of coronavirus infection. In another decision, carrying negative COVID-19 test report or a vaccination certificate has been made mandatory for visitors from other states.
During the curfew period, grocery shops can remain open from 9 am to 1 pm while there would be no restrictions on pharmacies and other medical facilities, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Germany breaks third virus wave but warns against complacencyGermany seems to have halted a surge of coronavirus infections driven by the British variant, its health minister said Friday, cautioning however against lifting restrictions precipitously. "The third wave appears to have broken," Jens Spahn told a press conference in Berlin.
"The infection figures are dropping again, but we are still at a high level. They are not yet falling everywhere at the same rate, but they are falling," he said. Germany's Robert Koch Institute health agency recorded 18,485 new infections in the past 24 hours on Friday -- compared with 27,543 on the same day two weeks ago.
Railways has delivered 2,960 tonnes of liquid oxygen to states till nowThe Railways has delivered 2,960 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) to states across the country since April 19 in 185 tankers, the national transporter said today. Forty-seven "Oxygen Express" trains have completed their journey so far, it added.
Till now, 174 tonnes of LMO has been offloaded in Maharashtra, 729 tonnes in Uttar Pradesh, 249 tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, 305 tonnes in Haryana, 123 tonnes in Telangana and 1,334 tonnes in Delhi. At present, 18 tankers are on the run with more than 260 tonnes of LMO which are expected to arrive in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi, the Railways said.
UK advises under-40s get alternative to AstraZeneca jabThe scientific committee overseeing Britain's coronavirus vaccination programme on Friday recommended that under-40s are offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said it was taking the "precautionary approach" for adults aged 30-39, after assessment of blood clot risks.
Professor Wei Shen Lim of the JCVI advisory committee said that those aged 30-39 will be "preferentially offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine".
Saudi Arabia to allow only vaccinated back to workplaceSaudi Arabia said Friday that employees will only be allowed to return to their workplace in person once vaccinated against Covid-19. Vaccination will become a "mandatory condition" for the face-to-face return of public and private sector employees, the ministry of human resources and social development said in a statement, urging workers to "begin the process" to get a jab.
The health ministry said it has administered more than 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses, in a country with a population of over 34 million.
PM Modi speaks to Australian PM on equitable access to vaccines, medicines amid pandemic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison today as the two leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring equitable access to vaccines and medicines, and discussed possible initiatives for it. PM Modi and Scott Morrison also reiterated the importance of working together for a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
PM Modi speaks to Manipur, Sikkim, Tripura CMs on COVID-19 situationPrime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the chief ministers of Manipur, Sikkim and Tripura on the COVID-19 situation in their states, government sources told news agency PTI. PM Modi had on Thursday spoken to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Telangana besides the lieutenant governors of Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry in this regard.
The prime minister's interaction with chief ministers is part of his exercise to deal with the pandemic situation.
Supreme Court Declines To Hear Plea For Stopping Central Vista Construction Work
Just In | Supreme Court declines to interfere with Central Vista Redevelopment project, asks Delhi High Court to consider granting an early hearing.
Covid Live Updates: Supreme Court Begins Hearing Central Vista Construction Case
The Supreme Court Bench is hearing a plea seeking suspension of all kinds of construction activity in relation to the Central Vista Redevelopment Project in compliance with the orders issued by the DDMA in the wake of the COVID-19 surge in Delhi.
A Bench comprising Justices Vineet Saran and Dinesh Maheshwari is hearing the petition.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appearing for the petitioner asked how construction can be a an essential activity. "? In a health emergency, we can't risk life of workers and their families and put more pressure on healthcare system," he said.
Since CT- Scan or X-Ray is becoming increasingly necessary to detect COVID-19 infection, Government has decided to cap the price of CT-Scan and Digital X-Ray in private hospitals and labs at Rs 1,500 and Rs 250 respectively: Dr. K Sudhakar, Karnataka Health Minister.
Coronavirus: Odisha Escorts 383 Tankers Carrying 7007.436 MT Medical Oxygen To States
Odisha Police on Friday informed that a total of 383 containers carrying 7007.436 megatonnes of medical oxygen have been escorted so far from Rourkela, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, and Angul districts of Odisha. According to a press release, more oxygen containers will be escorted today by Odisha Police. As many as 43 tankers were dispatched from Angul with 712.462 megatonnes, 93 from Dhenkanal with 1454.58 megatonnes, 94 from Jajpur with 1945.872 megatonnes, and 153 from Rourkela with 2894.522 megatonnes.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan inspects the high-flow medical oxygen plant that has been set up DRDO at RML Hospital.
Centre Has To Supply 700 Tonnes Oxygen To Delhi Every Day: Supreme Court
The central government has to supply 700 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to Delhi every day till further orders, the Supreme Court said this morning, as top hospitals in the national capital continue to struggle to tackle the unprecedented rise in Covid infections.
Read Here Coronavirus: Arunachal Reports 222 Fresh COVID-19 Cases, Tally Rises To 19,634
Arunachal Pradesh reported 222 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 19,634, a health department official said on Friday. The Capital Complex Region recorded the maximum number of new infections at 62, followed by Lower Dibang Valley (26) and Namsai (19), he said. The state now has 1,858 active cases, while 17,717 people have recovered from the disease, including 140 patients since Thursday.
JUST IN: The Supreme Court today rejected the Centre's petition against a High Court order asking it to send 1,200 MT of oxygen to Karnataka. "The Karnataka High Court order is a careful, calibrated exercise and we see no reason to entertain the Centre's appeal," the Supreme Court said. The Centre had yesterday approached the Supreme Court against the High Court order asking it to increase daily liquid medical oxygen allocation for Karnataka from 965 MT to 1200 MT for treating COVID-19 patients.
Centre Has To Supply 700 Tonnes Oxygen To Delhi Everyday: Supreme Court
The central government has to supply 700 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to Delhi everyday till further orders, the Supreme Court said this morning as top hospitals in the national capital struggle to tackle the unprecedented rise in Covid infections.
Delhi: People form queues outside vaccination center at a government school in Badarpur.
COVID-19: Oxygen Express From Hapa Reaches Kota
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday informed that the first Oxygen Express from Hapa has reached Kota to supply oxygen for corona patients in Rajasthan. "Oxygen Express from Hapa to Kota has reached its destination, to supply oxygen for corona patients in Rajasthan," Piyush Goyal tweeted.
Telangana reported 5,892 new COVID19 cases, 9122 recoveries and 46 deaths on May 6.
700 Tonnes "Dena Hi Padega": Supreme Court To Centre On Oxygen For Delhi
The national capital must get at least 700 tonnes of oxygen every day, as requested by the Delhi government to meet the needs of the city's COVID-19 patients, the Supreme Court told the centre on Thursday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the city has been getting roughly half the quantity of oxygen it has been officially allocated, while neighbouring BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have been prioritised.
Read Here Coronavirus: Thane District's COVID-19 Count Up By 2,301
With 2,301 new coronavirus cases, the infection count in the Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 4,82,495, an official said on Friday. These cases were reported on Thursday, he said. As the virus claimed the lives of 50persons, the death toll in the district rose to 7,883. Its COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.63 per cent, he added.
COVID-19: 4,14,188 Fresh Coronavirus Cases In India In Biggest-Ever One-Day Spike
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 2,14,91,598 with 4,14,188 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,76,12,351, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death count increased to 2,34,083 with 3,915 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A total of 1,37,877 people have been detained for violating COVID-19 guidelines. Rs 1,95,23,950 of fine have been imposed. 332 violators have been detained yesterday: Manipur IGP and Nodal Officer for COVID-19 Elangbam Priyokumar Singh
Jammu and Kashmir: A new 1000 litres per minute (LPM) oxygen concentrator plant has been commissioned at Government Medical College in Rajouri, yesterday.
Covid-Induced "Black Fungus" Cases Reported In Delhi Hospital
Doctors at a leading private facility in Delhi are witnessing a rise in the number of Covid-triggered mucormycisis cases, according to a statement from the hospital. Mucormycisis is a fungal infection triggered by COVID-19. Black fungus or mucormycosis has been a cause of disease and death of patients in transplants, ICUs and immunodeficient patients since long.
Coronavirus Updates: Karnataka Hospital Asks 24 Covid Patients To Shift Due To Oxygen Shortage
As India's health infrastructure crumbles amid the massive spike of coronavirus cases, 24 COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Karnataka's Chickmagalur were asked to be ready to shift due to an oxygen shortage on Thursday. According to Vijay Kumar, MD of Ashraya hospital, two patients have already shifted to another hospital.
Coronavirus: 14-Day Institutional Quarantine Must For Those Arriving In Delhi From Andhra, Telangana
People arriving in the national capital from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through any mode of transport will have to undergo 14 days of mandatory institutional quarantine, said an order issued by the Delhi government on Thursday. However, those who have been administered both doses of any COVID vaccine or carry a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey, will be required to be home quarantined for seven days, it said.
Covid Second Wave In India A Tragedy, Says Indian-American Surgeon
The second wave of COVID-19 in India is a tragedy, US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy has said, underlining the need for countries to help each other during the crisis. "If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it's that we need each other to get through this pandemic. As a world, we need each other in terms of countries to step up to help make sure that the world has an adequate supply of vaccine, to ensure people have treatments available, supply of PPE because the threat of COVID in any part of the world is ultimately a threat to every country," Indian-American Murthy told a news channel in an interview.
Andhra Pradesh Sends Oxygen SOS To Centre
The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday sent an SOS to the Centre seeking enhanced supply of medical oxygen as the demand is expected to touch 1,000 tonnes by May 15, officials said.
While the central government has now allotted 480 tonnes of medical oxygen to the state from various sources, the maximum consumption per day touched 550 tonnes (including government and private hospitals).
The state currently has a storage capacity of 515 tonnes.
There are about 25,000 Covid-19 patients on oxygen and ventilator support in hospitals across the state now.