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India saw a record rise in COVID-19 deaths with 4,205 fresh fatalities taking the country's death count to 2,54,197, while 3,48,421 new coronavirus infections were reported, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 2,33,40,938. The active cases have reduced to 37,04,099 comprising 15.87 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.04 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,93,82,642 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of 2 crore on May 4.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin was on Tuesday recommended by an expert panel for phase-2 and phase-3 clinical trials on those aged between two to 18 years, official sources said.
The trial will take place in 525 subjects at various sites, including AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS, Patna and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.
The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) on Tuesday deliberated upon Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's application, seeking permission to conduct phase II/III clinical trials to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Covaxin jabs in children aged 2 to 18 years.
Here are the Live Updates on India Coronavirus (Covid-19 Cases) Cases:
Himachal Pradesh Govt has decided to provide free treatment to beneficiaries of Himcare & Ayushman Bharat Scheme to COVID-19 patients in registered private hospitals which have been dedicated as COVID hospitals: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
(file photo) pic.twitter.com/zhpXSKlAk9
Rajasthan to issue global tender for COVID-19 vaccines from abroad
The Rajasthan government will purchase vaccines from abroad to speed up the coronavirus vaccination process in the state and a global tender will be issued for the same.
Along with this, the government has also approved direct purchase of coronavirus treatment drugs and equipment from the companies. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state council of ministers held through video conference under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Remdesivir Export Ban "Half-Baked" Step If It Can't Be Sold In India: Delhi High Court
Stopping exports of Remdesivir, used in COVID-19 treatment, is a "half baked exercise" if the units manufacturing it are not allowed to sell it in the domestic market, the Delhi High Court said to the Centre. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli also questioned the holding of exports of the medicine at the ports if the same cannot be diverted to the domestic market for use by patients.
The court asked the Centre to consider exporting the consignments already held at the docks lest they lose their efficacy and cannot be used by anyone, here or abroad.
India Fastest In World To Administer 17 Crore COVID-19 Vaccine Doses In 114 Days: CentreIndia is the fastest country globally to reach the landmark of administering 17 crore doses in 114 days, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today, while urging states to first focus more on second dose vaccinations.
Reviewed different aspects relating to the COVID-19 situation. This includes different sources of oxygen availability and the supply of medicines across the nation. https://t.co/fq164BKXr7
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 12, 2021
Maharashtra approves scheme to boost oxygen production
The Maharashtra cabinet today approved a proposal to make the state self-sufficient in oxygen production under which special incentives will be offered to manufacturers. The "Maharashtra Mission Oxygen" aims to ensure a production of 3,000 metric tons of life-saving gas per day in the state, said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.
At present the production capacity in the state is 1,300 metric tons per day while the demand is 1,800 metric tons on account of coronavirus pandemic.
Centre approves procurement of 1.5 lakh units of DRDO's "Oxycare" system to help Covid patients
The government has approved the procurement of 1,50,000 units of "Oxycare" system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for Rs 322.5 crore from the PM-CARES Fund to help in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Oxycare is an oxygen supply system based on SpO2 (oxygen saturation) level. The DRDO has already transferred the technology to multiple industries in India for large-scale production of the Oxycare system.
The ministry said 1,00,000 manual and 50,000 automatic Oxycare systems are being procured.
"Somewhere They Have Slipped": Did Anupam Kher Criticise Centre?Actor Anupam Kher, who has often praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is known to be a strong defender of the BJP-led regime, said today that he believed the government "had slipped" in the Covid crisis.
269 IIT-Jodhpur students tested COVID-19 positive since February
A total of 269 IIT-Jodhpur students returning to the campus have tested COVID-19 positive since February 2, university officials said. With students arriving at the campus for their practical sessions, 3,000 RT-PCR tests were conducted till May 10 to curb the spread of the infection. Of the 269 students who have tested positive, 240 have fully recovered while the remaining 29 are in the process of recovery and are in isolation, Deputy Registrar Amardeep Sharma said.
Jaipur lion tests positive for Covid
A lion, named Tripur, living in Jaipur zoo, tested positive for COVID, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) officials said. While Tripur was positive for SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, the sample reports of a panther, a white tiger and a lioness from Jaipur, were inconclusive, IVRI Joint Director KP Singh said, adding there was a need to resample them.
A lion, named Tripur, living in Jaipur zoo, tested positive for COVID, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) officials said. While Tripur was positive for SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, the sample reports of a panther, a white tiger and a lioness from Jaipur, were inconclusive, IVRI Joint Director KP Singh said, adding there was a need to resample them.
Maldives bans South Asia travellers as virus cases soar
The Maldives banned travellers from across South Asia in a bid to contain surging Covid-19 infections despite having one of the world's most successful vaccination roll-outs. Sri Lanka and other countries in the region have also imposed travel restrictions as they battle a new wave of the virus that has hit India and its neighbours.
The Maldives, whose economy relies on tourists visiting its pristine atolls, has suffered a more than 15-fold increase in daily infections in the past week. The nation, which halted international flights for more than three months last year, saw a record single-day rise of 1,500 cases on Tuesday -- compared with less than 100 just one month ago.
"These restrictions apply to travellers originating from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka," Maldives Immigration said in a statement.
Parliamentary Panel Asked Centre In March To Increase Vaccine Production Capacity
A parliamentary standing committee had in March suggested ramping up of production capacity of the two COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in India for ensuring their availability to a wider population as soon as possible after it was informed that there could be a "shortage" if the inoculation is opened beyond the priority groups. The recommendation was made by the 31-member committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, chaired by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in its report on Demand for Grants for Department of Biotechnology that was tabled in Parliament on March 8.
The panel has as many as 14 members from the ruling BJP.
Mamata Banerjee To PM Modi: 'Vaccine Supply Insignificant... Speedily Import'The vaccine production, supply, and distribution in the country is "extremely inadequate" and "insignificant", spotlighted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a letter, her third in two weeks, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
German envoy inaugurates oxygen plant in Delhi Covid hospital
German ambassador Walter J Lindner inaugurated the oxygen plant in Delhi's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel DRDO Covid Hospital and said that the coronavirus can be defeated with the combined effort of India, Germany and other countries. Mr Lindner said: "It is an important day because five days after the first transport plane came with parts of the oxygen production plant now we open it. Now it will save lives."
German ambassador Walter J Lindner inaugurated the oxygen plant in Delhi's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel DRDO Covid Hospital and said that the coronavirus can be defeated with the combined effort of India, Germany and other countries. Mr Lindner said: "It is an important day because five days after the first transport plane came with parts of the oxygen production plant now we open it. Now it will save lives."
Coronavirus: Covid Catastrophe Could Have Been Prevented: Independent Global PanelThe catastrophic scale of the Covid-19 pandemic could have been prevented, an independent global panel concluded Wednesday, but a "toxic cocktail" of dithering and poor coordination meant the warning signs went unheeded.
UK's PM Johnson announces COVID-19 public inquiry
Britain will hold a public inquiry into the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic next year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "This process will place the state's actions under the microscope," he told parliament.
The inquiry will have the backing of legislation giving it far-reaching powers, PM Johnson said.
Another #OxygenExpress carrying 37.62 MT Liquid Medical Oxygen in 2 tankers has arrived at Faridabad today from Khurda Road,Angul.
- Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 12, 2021
This will provide some respite to Covid 19 patients who require Oxygen for treatment. pic.twitter.com/OSzh5Ll0Zu
"If not now, then when?": Covid pandemic investigator urges reforms
One investigator behind Wednesday's explosive report highlighting the mistakes that allowed Covid-19 to flourish said that urgent reform was needed to withstand future pandemic threats. The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response found that bad decisions, dithering and poor coordination created a "toxic cocktail" which allowed Covid-19 go on to kill at least 3.3 million people so far and upend the global economy.
Panel member Michel Kazatchkine, a French diplomat and former director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, called for immediate action to ensure the world must never again face a "catastrophe" like the Covid crisis. "Rich and poor countries alike have been affected. So if faced with these conditions, the world does not react and agree to cooperate to ensure that this never happens again, then what are they waiting for? In our report we say: If not now, then when?"
The current production capacity of Covaxin vaccine will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-Aug 2021. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by Sep 2021: Ministry of Science & Technology pic.twitter.com/4IECdBFUK7
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
UK Strain Of COVID-19 Found In Rajasthan: State Government
The UK strain of COVID-19 has been found in the samples sent from Rajasthan for genome sequencing, the state government said today. According to Rajasthan's Health Minister Raghu Sharma, the reports were received a couple of days back.
"If Delhi Is Opened Tomorrow, It'll Be Disaster": Top Medical Body Chief
The head of the main Indian health agency responding to the coronavirus has said districts reporting a high number of infections should remain locked down for another six to eight weeks to control the spread of the rampaging disease. Dr. Balram Bhargava, head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said in an interview that lockdown restrictions should remain in place in all districts where the rate of infection is above 10% of those tested.
People such as sadhus, prison inmates, senior citizens in old age homes, beggars and others without any prescribed ID proofs should not be denied COVID-19 vaccination. The CoWIN portal will create special vaccination sessions for this purpose: Government of Odisha.
Word 'Indian' Not In WHO Report On Covid Variant: Government Fact-Checks
The government today objected to the labelling of the B.1.617 Covid variant as an "Indian variant", stressing that the word "Indian" was never used by the World Health Organisation (WHO). "Several media reports have covered the news of WHO classifying B.1.617 as variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an 'Indian Variant'. These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded," said an official statement. Read Here
Punjab | Mohali District administration has set up a COVID-19 drive-through vaccination centre at the District Sports Complex, near Gurudwara Sahib Singh Shaheedan, Sohana in Sector-78 pic.twitter.com/8U9OBtJUCZ
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
Coronavirus: Pregnant Doctor Loses Battle To Covid, Husband Shares Last Video Message
Dimple Arora Chawla, a doctor, was pregnant with her second child when she tested positive for coronavirus in April. Two weeks later, she lost her unborn baby. The next day, the doctor too lost her battle to the virus. Days before her death, the Delhi woman had put out a video message to her family and friends, urging them not to take the deadly virus lightly. Read Here
500-bed ICU Centre for COVID19 patients at Delhi's Ramlila Ground to become operational from today.
500-bed ICU Centre for COVID19 patients at Delhi's Ramlila Ground to become operational from today pic.twitter.com/6Ovf9kE3Yw
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
On April 11, the Ministry of Health wrote to the Punjab Chief Secretary over the non-commissioning of ventilators provided to the State.
On April 11, the Ministry of Health wrote to the #Punjab Chief Secretary over the non-commissioning of ventilators provided to the State. The letter stated, "Punjab allocated 809 ventilators, out of the same, only 558 ventilators installed while 251 are pending installation." pic.twitter.com/aMtmyqTIEt
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
In view of rising COVID-19 cases, stricter restrictions to come into force w.e.f. 5 am on May 13 till further orders. All shops, eateries including dine-in to be allowed till 1 pm. Only home-delivery allowed after 1 pm. Weekly markets to remain shut for 15 days: Govt of Assam pic.twitter.com/C1M50fTSdw
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
Puducherry reports 2,007 new positive cases, 1,247 recoveries and 27 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus: India Opened Up Prematurely, Dr Anthony Fauci On COVID-19 Crisis
India made the "incorrect assumption" that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such "dire straits", America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators. India has been severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs, and beds.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will have a meeting today, with the Health Ministers of some states that are lagging behind in COVID-19 vaccination.
Maharashtra | Vaccination drive halted at some centers of Nagpur due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines.
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
"I came here to take my second dose but due to unavailability of vaccine I was told to come tomorrow," says a local pic.twitter.com/oom8axd1Ya
Karnataka: Flower sellers in Shivamogga say that their business has taken a hit amid #COVID19 pandemic & restrictions. A seller, Ravi Kiran says, "There are 108 shops in this market, 99% of which are completely closed. We are incurring losses. Govt is not providing us anything." pic.twitter.com/VIIO8ZBWHA
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
Coronavirus: Arunachal Pradesh Reports 205 New COVID-19 Cases
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 20,575 as 205 more people tested positive for the virus while four new fatalities pushed the death toll to 68, a senior health department official said on Wednesday. A 44-year-old man died at Tezu in Lohit district, while a 57-year-old man died at the Dedicated Covid Hospital (DCH) at Chimpu on Tuesday, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said. A 60-year-old woman from Basar in Leparada district died at the DCH Pasighat in East Siang district, while a 45- year-old man from Jairampur in Changlang district died at Assam Medical College and Hospital at Dibrugarh, the official said.
Maharashtra: 1,428 New COVID-19 Cases In Thane, 65 More Deaths
With the addition of1,428 new cases of COVID-19, the infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has reached 4,91,817, an official said on Wednesday. Besides these new cases reported on Tuesday, the virus also claimed the lives of 65 more people, pushing the death count in the district to 8,173, he said. The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 1.66 per cent, he added.
COVID-19: Police Check Vehicular Movement In Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh | Police check vehicular movement as the state capital is under 'Corona Curfew' till May 17th. Visuals from Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/TMpm8y24ej
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
Coronavirus Latest: 4,205 Covid Deaths, Highest In India In 24 hours, 3.48 Lakh Fresh Cases
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 2,33,40,938 with 3,48,421 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,93,82,642, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death count increased to 2,54,197 with 4,205 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Jharkhand reported 4,365 new cases, 7,531 recoveries and 103 deaths
Coronavirus: Indian Army Sets Up 100-Bed COVID-19 Facility In Faridabad
The Indian Army on Tuesday set up a 100-bed COVID-19 facility at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College in Haryana's Chhainsa, Faridabad, informed the district magistrate. Faridabad district magistrate Yashpal Yadav further stated that the facility is now operational and added that patients referred by the district administration will be treated at the facility.
30,75,83,991 samples tested up to 11th May 2021, for COVID-19. Of these, 19,83,804 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Coronavirus: Mumbai Doctor Couple Collects Unused COVID-19 Medicines To Help Needy Patients
A doctor couple in Mumbai is collecting medicines from those who have recovered from COVID and providing them to needy patients. On May 1, Dr Marcus Ranney and his wife Dr Raina started Meds For More - a citizen initiative to collect unused medicines from Covid-19 recovered patients. "We started this initiative 10 days ago. We collect medicines from housing societies and provide them to those who can not afford them," Dr Marcus Ranney told ANI.
"They're Going Out": Medical Body ICMR On Why Covid's Second Wave Affecting Young People
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting slightly more number of younger people as they might have begun going out and also because of some variants of SARS-COV-2 prevalent in the country, said the chief of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Tuesday.
Maharashtra May Have Over 2,000 Cases Of Black Fungus: Minister
The Maharashtra government has decided to use hospitals attached to medical colleges as treatment centres for Mucormycosis, a serious but rare fungal infection now affecting coronavirus patients, said Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday. Symptoms of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion and partial loss of vision.
Nearly 90% India Has High Positivity Rate, Rural Areas A Worry: Centre
Close to 90 per cent of India is witnessing a high Covid positivity rate as 640 districts out of the 734 are above the national threshold level of 5 per cent positivity rate, the centre said on Tuesday. The skyrocketing active caseload during the deadly second wave of coronavirus has overwhelmed the hospitals and crematoriums. There is an acute shortage of medical oxygen and key drugs needed to treat the critically ill Covid patients. Read Here
Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat dispatched 80 MT of oxygen, sent by the central government, through the Oxygen Express at various stations in the state at the railway station at Harrawala.
Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat dispatched 80 MT of oxygen, sent by the central government, through the Oxygen Express at various stations in the state at the railway station at Harrawala. He said that this oxygen will be sent to Garhwal Division & Kumaon Division. pic.twitter.com/KWPKc1Pyln
- ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021
COVID-19: 18 States Getting Direct Supply Of Covaxin Since May 1, Says Bharat Biotech
Bharat Biotech on Tuesday said it will continue the steady supply of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, adding the jab has been directly supplied to 18 states since May 1. The states include Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, the Hyderabad-based firm added.
Coronavirus: Delhi, Karnataka, Others Take Global Tender Route To Procure Covid Vaccine
Delhi, along with a bunch of southern Indian states, on Tuesday joined several others in taking the global-tender route to procure COVID-19 vaccines even as domestic supply fails to keep up with rising demand. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha have already chosen this option amid the searing second wave of the pandemic. The Centre says it's so far provided over 18 crore doses to states and Union Territories for free. They will receive 7,29,610 additional doses in the next three days. Read Here
Indian Covid Variant Found In 44 Countries: WHO
The World Health Organization said Wednesday that a variant of Covid-19 behind the acceleration of India's explosive outbreak has been found in dozens of countries all over the world. The UN health agency said the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19, first found in India in October, had been detected in more than 4,500 samples uploaded to an open-access database "from 44 countries in all six WHO regions".
Delhi: A flight from South Korea carrying medical aid landed at the Airport#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/3IT5jr4bdk
- ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021
Nearly 90% India Has High Positivity Rate, Rural Areas A Worry: Centre
Close to 90 per cent of India is witnessing a high Covid positivity rate as 640 districts out of the 734 are above the national threshold level of 5 per cent positivity rate, the centre said on Tuesday.
Last month the centre widened the vaccine net to include everyone over the age of 18. However, most states have struggled to vaccinate their people due to vaccine shortages.
Close to 90 per cent of India is witnessing a high Covid positivity rate as 640 districts out of the 734 are above the national threshold level of 5 per cent positivity rate, the centre said on Tuesday.
The skyrocketing active caseload during the deadly second wave of coronavirus has overwhelmed the hospitals and crematoriums. There is an acute shortage of medical oxygen and key drugs needed to treat the critically ill Covid patients.
Last month the centre widened the vaccine net to include everyone over the age of 18. However, most states have struggled to vaccinate their people due to vaccine shortages.
Delhi, Karnataka, Others Take Global Tender Route To Procure Covid Vaccine
Delhi, along with a bunch of southern Indian states, today joined several others in taking the global-tender route to procure COVID-19 vaccines even as domestic supply fails to keep up with rising demand. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha have already chosen this option amid the searing second wave of the pandemic.
"Over 90 lakh COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the states and Union Territories to be administered," the Union Health Ministry has said, according to a PTI report.
Delhi, along with a bunch of southern Indian states, today joined several others in taking the global-tender route to procure COVID-19 vaccines even as domestic supply fails to keep up with rising demand. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha have already chosen this option amid the searing second wave of the pandemic.
The Centre says it's so far provided over 18 crore doses to states and Union Territories for free. They will receive 7,29,610 additional doses in the next three days.
"Over 90 lakh COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the states and Union Territories to be administered," the Union Health Ministry has said, according to a PTI report.
Centre, RSS Push For Positivity To Offset Criticism Over Covid
Amid massive national and international criticism of the Narendra Modi government's handling of the Covid second wave, a big concerted push for positivity has been planned, sources said. A three-pronged strategy seems to have been initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the central government and even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP.
Amid massive national and international criticism of the Narendra Modi government's handling of the Covid second wave, a big concerted push for positivity has been planned, sources said. A three-pronged strategy seems to have been initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the central government and even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP.
Last week, central government officials including some joint secretary rank officials, were made to attend a workshop, sources said. Its focus reportedly was better communication and highlighting of the positive work being done by the government to negate any criticism of the handling of the Covid crisis.
