Coronavirus Updates: The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,83,17,404.
India recorded 3,66,161 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day, which pushed the tally to 2,26,62,575, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Monday.
The death count climbed to 2,46,116 with 3,754 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi are among 10 states that account for 73.91 per cent of the 3,66,161 new COVID-19 cases registered in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Haryana are the other states in the list of 10.
Here are the Highlights on India Coronavirus (Covid-19 Cases) Cases:
US Authorises Pfizer Vaccine For 12-15 Year OldsThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on children aged 12 to 15 years old.
Acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock described the move as a "significant step in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic."
"Today's action allows for a younger population to be protected from Covid-19, bringing us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy and to ending the pandemic," Woodcock said in a statement.
Jharkhand to start free Covid vaccination for 18-44 age group from May 14The Jharkhand government will begin the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group from May 14, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said. Facing vaccine shortage, the state could not launch the drive on May 1.
"Vaccines will be administered to the 18-plus age group from May 14. This will be free of cost for the people as the state government will bear the charges," Mr Soren said.
Odisha to float global tender to procure COVID-19 vaccinesFacing an acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, the Odisha government on Monday decided to float a global tender for procuring the vaccine to inoculate the states entire population, Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra
said. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
1,952 Railway Employees Have Died Of Covid Till Now, 1,000 Infected Daily: OfficialAs many as 1,952 employees of the Indian Railways have succumbed to coronavirus so far and around 1,000 are getting infected on a daily basis, a senior official said today. "Railways is not different from any other state or territory and we are also getting Covid cases. We are in the business of transport and have to move freight and people. Around 1,000 (COVID) cases are reported daily," Railway Board Chairman Suneet Sharma said.
"We have our hospitals... We have augmented the number of beds, we have built oxygen plants in rail hospitals. We take care of our staff. As of now, we have 4,000 beds occupied by staff and their families. Our effort is to see that they recover quickly. As of yesterday, 1,952 rail employees have died due to COVID-19 since March last year," he added.
World Health Organization labels Covid mutation in India "variant of concern"A COVID-19 variant spreading in India, the B.1.617, appears to be more contagious and has been classified as being "of concern", the World Health Organization said Monday.
"There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility," and also possibly some increased resistance to vaccine protections, Maria Van Kerkove, WHO's lead on Covid-19, said. "As such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level," she added.
Rs 1 lakh penalty for organising weddings at public places in Rajasthan amid lockdown
The Rajasthan government said that a fine of Rs 1 lakh will be imposed on those organising wedding functions in hotels and community halls etc., and for not informing the authorities if a wedding is being held at home. Similarly, a penalty of Rs 1 lakh will be imposed in case the number of people attending a wedding at home is more than 11, it said.
Bengal records 134 deaths, 19,445 new COVID-19 cases
West Bengal reported a record 134 COVID-19 deaths, besides registering the highest single-day spike of 19,445 new cases, the state Health Department said. The cases were detected after testing 62,186 samples in the last 24 hours, taking the positivity rate to 31.26 per cent. There are 1,26,663 active cases in the state at present.
100-bed COVID care centre set up at Delhi's Mount Carmel School
A 100-bed dedicated Covid care centre has been opened at a prominent private school in the national capital. The centre set up at Mount Carmel School in south west Delhi's Dwarka has a team of 75 volunteers, including nurses, paramedics and doctors, its dean Michael Williams said. He said it is a collaborative effort of 100 churches across the national capital.
UAE bars travellers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka amid pandemicThe United Arab Emirates will from Wednesday suspend the entry of all travellers, including transit passengers, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka amid the Covid pandemic. The UAE, which is made up seven emirates, has already suspended flights from India, as coronavirus cases in the country spiked to global records.
The surge has spilled into Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is also struggling to contain a third wave of infections. Flights from and through the UAE and heading to the four countries will be exempt, the General Civil Aviation Authority said.
BioNTech says "no evidence" its Covid vaccines need adapting for variantsGerman firm BioNTech said that the Covid-19 vaccine it developed with Pfizer does not require any modifications at the moment to protect against variants of the virus. "To date, there is no evidence that an adaptation of BioNTech's current Covid-19 vaccine against key identified emerging variants is necessary," the company said in a statement.
Nevertheless, in preparations for a need at some point to make tweaks to its current vaccine, the company said it began tests in March on a "modified, variant-specific version" of its jabs.
Over 12,000 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi, positivity rate dips below 20 per centDelhi reported 319 more COVID-19 fatalities and 12,651 new infections, the lowest in four weeks, with a positivity rate of 19.10 per cent. The low number of new cases of the infection can be attributed to fewer tests conducted on Sunday (66,234).
At 19.10 per cent, the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is at its lowest since April 16, according to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government. The positivity rate in Delhi has remained above the 20 per cent mark since April 17.
"Covid Has Traumatised Children Deeply": Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi To NDTVA fierce and deadly second wave of Covid has left many children orphaned and helpless across India. Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said: "Governmental and non-governmental organisations must work together on this."
"Coronavirus has traumatised children deeply, there's no psychological support for them," he added.
Italian woman gets six doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in error: ReportA 23-year-old Italian woman was under observation in a hospital in Tuscany after receiving six doses of the Pfizer vaccine in error, news agency AGI reported. The woman was in good condition after receiving fluids and paracetamol following the injection on Sunday, the report said.
Instead of injecting just one dose into the arm of the student, a nurse mistakenly injected the entire vial, the equivalent of six doses.
Previous studies to test overdoses of the Pfizer vaccine were limited to four doses, AGI wrote.
Indian Navy Ship Airavat carrying medical supplies from Singapore arrives in VisakhapatnamIndian Navy tanker ship INS Airavat arrived in Visakhapatnam today with 8 cryogenic Oxygen tanks and other critical COVID-19 medical stores from Singapore. According to the Indian Navy, the ship departed Singapore on 5 May. INS Airavat reached Visakhapatnam with (probably the largest consignment by a single platform) consignment of eight 20 T cryogenic oxygen tanks (empty) 3,150 oxygen cylinders (empty), 500 Filled oxygen cylinders, 07 oxygen concentrators, 10,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits and 450 PPE kits from Singapore.
Earlier, IL-76 aircraft airlifted three cryogenic oxygen containers from Singapore and landed at Panagarh Air Base, West Bengal on Friday.
Vaccination drive begins for construction workers in the 18-44 age group in Ludhiana
"Ludhiana has 25,000 registered construction workers who would be covered aggressively" said Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, Chairman of Punjab Youth Development Board (PYDB).
COVID-19: Himachal Pradesh records 34 more deaths, toll crosses 1900-mark
The COVID-19 death toll in Himachal Pradesh rose to 1,906 on Monday with 34 fresh fatalities, while 1,340 new cases pushed the infection tally to 1,32,763, a senior official said.
According to the data updated till 2 pm, the number of active cases in the state stands at 31,629.
The official said the total recoveries in the state have climbed to 99,188 with 2,143 more people recovering from the infection.
COVID-19: Indian Navy brings large amount of medical supplies from abroad
Three Indian Navy warships are bringing to India on Monday 80 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 20 cryogenic oxygen tanks, 3,150 cylinders and a large amount of other medical supplies from abroad as the country reels under a severe second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The medical supplies being brought by the ships included 900 oxygen-filled cylinders and 10,000 rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits, 54 oxygen concentrators, 450 PPE (personal protective equipment) kits, Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
Indian Navy ship Airavat is reaching Visakhapatnam from Singapore carrying eight cryogenic oxygen tanks each having a capacity of 20 metric tonnes of oxygen and other supplies.
Negative RT-PCR report must to enter high Himalayan valleys in Uttarakhand
People going to the high Himalayan valleys of Darma, Vyas and Chaudas in Dharchula sub division will now have to produce a negative RT-PCR report not older than a week, officials said on Monday.
The administration has discussed the matter with locals and okayed the move, they said.
People will be given permission to proceed to these valleys only after they produce a negative RT-PCR test report for COVID-19, Dharchula Sub-Divisional Magistrate A K Shukla said.
2-week complete lockdown begins in Tamil Nadu
As the two-week complete lockdown began in Tamil Nadu on Monday, Chennai witnessed empty roads and low footfall of people on the streets.
Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced a ''complete lockdown'' for two weeks from May 10 to control the spread of the disease.
Following the lockdown curbs, only those who had important work were seen on roads. Police officials were also seen at checking points ensuring no one is out without any important work.
14-day state-wide lockdown begins in Karnataka
Amid a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the 14-day statewide lockdown commenced in the state on Monday.
Police personnel were seen baton charging violators and seizing their vehicles in Shivamogga and Kalaburagi.
Commuters were also seen undergoing vehicle checks as the lockdown commenced from today.
To curb the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka government had on Friday imposed a complete lockdown for two weeks in the state from 6 am on May 10 to 6 am on May 24.
People form long queues outside the COVID-19 vaccination center in Ahmedabad
"Here we are vaccinating frontline workers & people above 45 years of age. We're taking 10 people at a time. We're vaccinating around 1000-1500 people in a day," says AMC Health Officer.
States to receive over 9 lakh fresh vaccine doses within next 3 days: Centre
Over one crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs, which will receive over 9 lakh additional doses within the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.
The Centre has so far provided nearly 18 crore vaccine doses (17,93,57,860) to states and UTs free of cost.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 16,89,27,797 doses, the ministry said.
"More than 1 crore COVID vaccine doses (1,04,30,063) are still available with the states and UTs to be administered.States with negative balance are showing more consumption (including wastage) than vaccine supplied as they have not reconciled the vaccine they have supplied to armed forces.
"Furthermore, more than 9 lakh (9,24,910) vaccine doses will be received in addition by the states and UTs within the next three days," the ministry said.
Ten states account for over 73 per cent of new COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi are among 10 states that account for 73.91 per cent of the 3,66,161 new COVID-19 cases registered in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Haryana are the other states in the list of 10.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 48,401. It is followed by Karnataka with 47,930 while Kerala reported 35,801 new cases.
India's total COVID-19 active caseload has reached 37,45,237 and now comprises 16.53 per cent of the country's total infections.
A net increase of 8,589 cases has been recorded in the total active caseload in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh cumulatively account for 82.89 per cent of India's total active cases, the ministry said. "The National Mortality Rate has been falling and currently stands at 1.09 per cent," the ministry said.
Update| Supreme Court adjourns COVID hearing to Thursday
Just In| Covaxin stocks to last for just a day, 3-4 days for Covishield, says Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain
Supreme Court hearing on vaccine policy and pricing begins
INS Trikand reaches Mumbai with two 27 MT oxygen-filled containers from Qatar.
"The ship entered Hamad Port, Qatar on May 5 and embarked maiden shipment of oxygen containers which was facilitated by French Mission as part of oxygen solidarity bridge," says CO Capt Harish Bahuguna
Arunachal Pradesh reports 119 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 20,165=
Arunachal Pradesh reported 119 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the coronavirus tally in the northeastern state to 20,165, a health department official said on Monday.
The death toll remained at 60 as no fresh fatality due to the infection was reported in the last 24 hours, State Surveillance Officer Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
The Capital Complex region recorded the maximum number of fresh cases at 68, followed by Changlang (13), eight each from Lower Dibang Valley and Papumpare and seven from Tawang, the official said.
Coronavirus News: India Records 3,66,161 New COVID-19 Cases, 3,754 Deaths
India recorded 3,66,161 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day, which pushed the tally to 2,26,62,575, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Monday. The death count climbed to 2,46,116 with 3,754 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Police baton charge and seize vehicles of the violators in Shivamogga and Kalaburagi as a 14-day state-wide lockdown begins today.
Coronavirus: Karnataka Issues Fresh Guidelines For Hospitalisation, Discharge Of Covid Patients
Amid a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state, the Karnataka government on Sunday issued new guidelines for hospital admission, discharge, and transfer of COVID-19 patients. A circular issued by Karnataka's Department of Health and Family Welfare read, "In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the State, for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital beds are a valuable resource and hence, shall be used judiciously for those patients who are clinically in need of these beds. In this context, the guidelines are reiterated for hospital admission, discharge, and transfer of COVID-19 patients."
COVID-19: Centre Issues Advisory To Manage Black Fungus Infection In Covid Patients
Mucormycosis, a fungal infection being found in COVID-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, may turn fatal if uncared for, the Centre said on Sunday. In an advisory, it also said the fungal infection mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.
Delhi Metro rail services to remain temporarily suspended till May 17.
Chinese Scientists Discussed Weaponising Coronavirus In 2015: Report
A document written by Chinese scientists and health officials before the pandemic in 2015 states that SARS coronaviruses were a "new era of genetic weapons" that could be "artificially manipulated into an emerging human disease virus, then weaponised and unleashed, reported Weekend Australian.
Vaccination Only Long-Term Solution To India's Covid Crisis: Dr Fauci
Getting people vaccinated is the only long-term solution to the current COVID-19 crisis in India, America's top public health expert Dr Anthony Fauci said on Sunday as he called for scaling up manufacturing of coronavirus vaccines both domestically and globally to fight the deadly pandemic.
Medical aid including 1,300 oxygen concentrators, 400 ventilators, and other medical equipment from Israel arrived at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad.
Coronavirus News: Assam reported 3,299 new COVID-19 cases
Guru Tegh Bahadur COVID-19 care centre to begin operation with 300 beds today.
Coronavirus: Haryana Extends COVID-19 Lockdown Till May 17
In order to contain the COVID outbreak, Haryana on Sunday extended lockdown for another week starting from May 10 to May 17, said the state government, adding that the state will observe the period as
''Surkshit Haryana''. "To contain the spread of the COVID pandemic, the restrictions are imposed for another one week that is from May 10, 2021 (05:00 am onwards) to May 17, 2021 (till 05:00 am) in the State of Haryana. The period is to be observed as
Mahamari Alert-
Surakshit Haryana," reads the order.
Why Tax Vaccines, Nirmala Sitharaman Explains After Mamata Banerjee NoteFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that a 5 per cent tax on vaccines and 12 per cent on medicines and oxygen concentrators was necessary to keep costs low, after a new appeal by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to waive these fees given India's coronavirus crisis.
"If full exemption from GST (Goods and Services Tax) were given, the domestic producers of these items would be unable to offset taxes paid on their inputs and input services and would pass these on to the end consumers by increasing their price," she explained in a string of 16 tweets.
COVID-19: Rajasthan Chief Minister calls for strict enforcement of lockdown from May 10-24Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday asserted that the state-wide lockdown from May 10 to May 24 should be strictly followed.
"There should not be any kind of laxity in enforcing the lockdown. Whoever violates the guideline, strict action should be taken against them," he said in a statement.
The Chief Minister said along with all efforts for investigation, treatment, vaccination and expansion of resources, the government will strictly follow the coronavirus-induced lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection. Without this, it is not possible to stop this deadly wave, he said.
He also conducted a high-level review on COVID-19 situation, lockdown and availability of resources.
COVID-19: 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.
COVID-19: Assam reports 3,299 new cases, 48 more deaths
Assam'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.