Latest LIVE Updates: Kerala Assembly Election 2021: PM Modi addressed a rally in Kerala's Palakkad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Kerala today for "Metro Man" E Sreedharan, called the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led UDF "only different in name" and said their "match-fixing" was the "worst kept secret" of Kerala politics.
"For many years, the worst-kept secret of Kerala politics was the friendly agreement of UDF and LDF. Now, the first-time voter of Kerala is asking - what is this match-fixing? Five years one loots, five years the other loots," said PM Modi, addressing an election rally in Palakkad.
"Both have their marked areas for making money. UDF has not even spared the rays of the sun."
Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 tally climbed to 1,20,95,855 with 56,211 more people testing positive for the infection in a span of 24 hours, while 271 more fatalities pushed the death count to 1,62,114, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated on Tuesday.
Registering a steady increase for the 20th day in row, active cases have increased to 5,40,720 comprising 4.47 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 94.19 per cent.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,13,93,021, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 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.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates:
Srinagar placed in orange zone with increasing COVID cases
Jammu and Kashmir State Executive Committee on Tuesday put Srinagar district in the orange category in view of the rising number of COVID positive cases.
According to an order issued by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, who is also the chairperson of the SEC, Srinagar district has been put in orange category while the areas on either side of Jawahar Tunnel -- the gateway to Kashmir -- has been placed in red zone. Lakhanpur containment area has also been categorised in red zone with a buffer of 500 metre radius.
The rest of the areas in the Union territory continue to be in the green zone as far as permitted activities are concerned.
Over 6.24 crore coronavirus vaccine doses administered so far: Health Ministry
The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 6.24 crore with 12,94,979 jabs being given on Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry said. A total of 6,24,08,333 vaccine doses have been given till 7 pm on Tuesday, according to a provisional report.
These include 82,00,007 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 52,07,368 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 90,08,905 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose, 37,70,603 FLWs who have taken the second dose.
In addition, 2,90,20,989 beneficiaries more than 60 years old received the first dose and 36,899 in the same age bracket got the second dose as well.
As cases rise, Gujarat extends night curfew in 4 cities by 15 days
The Gujarat government on Tuesday extended the night curfew in force in four cities by another 15 days till April 15. The night curfew in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot will now remain effective between 9 pm and 6 am till April 15, an official release said.
The government also extended the implementation of the centre's guidelines on testing, tracing and treatment and other measures by another month till April 30, it said.
The government had on March 16 increased the timing of the night curfew, which has been in force since November last year, by two hours due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Local authorities later decided to increase that timing by another one hour. The night curfew was supposed to remain in force till March 31.
Nepal PM wishes speedy recovery to President Kovind after bypass surgery
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday wished speedy recovery to President Ram Nath Kovind, who has undergone a bypass surgery in New Delhi.
"I wish for a speedy recovery and wellness to President of India Ram Nath Kovind after a successful bypass surgery today. @rashtrapatibhvn" PM Oli said in a tweet.
Earlier in the day, President Kovind underwent a successful bypass surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.
Lockdown talk divides Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders in Maharashtra
The constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government spoke in different voices on Tuesday on the need for a fresh lockdown in Maharashtra with some leaders of the NCP and the Shiv Sena questioning the effectiveness of such strategy against the epidemic.
NCP leader and Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said imposing a lockdown is the last option for the state government. Notably, in view of the rise in fresh COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had on Sunday asked officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown which will have a minimum impact on the economy on the recommendation of the state COVID-19 task force.
Amid surge, restrictions, night curfew in Chhattisgarh districts
Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh, restrictions have been imposed on shops remaining open after 9 pm in several districts, including Raipur, while some areas will see night curfew from Tuesday, officials said.
The order issued by the administration in various districts said the operation of all kind of temporary and permanent shops will be allowed from 6 am to 9 pm, while restaurants, dhabas and hotels can remain open between 8 am and 10 pm for indoor dining, a public relations department official said.
"However, restaurants, dhabas and hotels can provide take-away parcels and home delivery services till 11:30 pm. In some districts, shops have been allowed to function from 6 am to 8 pm. Petrol pumps and medicine stores have been exempted from the restrictions," he added.
Nagpur records 1,156 new COVID-19 cases
At least 1,156 persons tested positive for coronavirus, while 54 died of the infection in Maharashtra's Nagpur district on Tuesday, an official from the district administration said.
With this, the caseload in the district has reached 2,23,153 and the toll has risen to 5,040, the official said.
Of the total number of casualties reported in the district, Nagpur city alone accounted for 3,215 fatalities, he said.
New virus strain more dangerous, require people to be more cautious: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister
New coronavirus strains are more dangerous, requiring people to follow anti-Covid precautions more strictly, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has warned.
Thakur cautioned people while taking stock of the Covid-19 spread in the state in a meeting at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, near Dharamsala.
"The health experts have observed that new coronavirus variants leave no symptoms of cough or fever and patients just complain of joint pains, weakness and loss of appetite and Covid-19 pneumonia," said the Chief Minister.
"It takes much less time to aggravate compared to the old variant and at times, there are no symptoms at all," he said.
"Therefore, it is better to be more careful than staying unguarded and putting ourselves, family and the society in danger," the Chief Minister added.
Punjab: Schools, colleges shut till April 10; Chief Minister orders to ramp up COVID vaccination drive
The Punjab government on Tuesday extended restrictions to tackle coronavirus with schools and colleges to remain shut for another 10 days.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also ordered to ramp up testing and coronavirus vaccination drive with officials informing him that a fall in daily cases is expected only by mid-May.
The CM also directed officials to identify places to set up mobile vaccination centres, according to a statement.
On March 19, the state government had ordered the closure of educational institutes besides imposing gathering restrictions at cinema halls, malls and social events till the month-end.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered that all restrictions that are in place till March 31, will now remain in force till April 10, according to the statement.
Kerala reports over 2300 COVID-19 cases; Total caseload mounts to 11.21 lakh
Kerala logged 2,389 positive cases, including 13 health workers, on Tuesday, pushing the total caseload to 11.21 lakh and the active cases to 24,650, the state government said.
As many as 1946 people have been cured of the infection, taking the total recoveries to 10,92,365.
In the last 24 hours ending at 2 pm, 58,557 samples have been tested and the test positivity rate was 4.08 per cent. So far,1,31,09,437 samples have been sent for testing.
Kozhikode recorded the highest number of cases 325, followed by Ernakulam 283, Malappuram 250, Kannur 248 and Thiruvananthapuram 225, while Pathnamthitta had the least at 62, Health minister K K Shailaja said in a press release. The toll has gone up to 4,606 with the addition of 16 recent deaths and the total number of cases has touched 11,21,931.
Over 18,500 challans issued in Delhi in last 5 days for COVID-19 norm violation
More than 18,500 challans were issued and fines worth over Rs 3.18 crore imposed in the national capital for COVID-19 protocol violation in the last five days, official data released on Tuesday showed.
While the highest number of challans issued was in North Delhi district, the lowest was in East Delhi district, it showed.
The report on enforcement actions for strict implementation of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour has been compiled on the basis of data received from 11 revenue districts pertaining to action taken from March 25 to 29.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority had ordered that there will be no public celebrations in the national capital on March 29 on account of Holi and Shab-e-Barat.
The data showed that a sum of Rs 1.66 crore has already been collected as fines for violation of the norms.
Berlin city halts AstraZeneca vaccine doses for under-60s
Germany's capital city Berlin on Tuesday suspended vaccinations with the AstraZeneca jab for under-60s, as further reports emerge of blood clots among people who have received it.
"We are provisionally stopping vaccinations with AstraZeneca for under-60s," said Berlin's health minister Dilek Kalayci, citing "new data about side effects".
She added that it was a "precautionary measure" while the city awaited an official recommendation from federal health authorities.
"We have no serious cases of side effects in Berlin," Kalayci explained, adding that "everyone who has already received a first jab of AstraZeneca has very good protection".
Germany's medicines regulator Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) has now reported 31 cases of blood clots in people who have received AstraZeneca, Spiegel magazine reported Tuesday.
10 districts including 8 from Maharashtra have highest active COVID-19 cases
The most number of active Covid-19 cases have been found in 10 districts across India, including eight districts in Maharashtra, the most affected state in the country that has seen the highest surge in the number of infections, the health ministry said on Tuesday.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said while briefing the media that eight out of ten districts with most number of active cases across the country are in Maraharashtra
The 10 districts are Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Aurangabad, Bengaluru Urban, Nanded, Delhi, and Ahmednagar.
The health secretary said that 807 cases of the UK strain, 47 cases of the South African variant, and one case of the Brazilian variant of the Covid-19 virus have been found in India so far.
People of Kerala will not be fooled by false promises, corrupt government: Priyanka Gandhi
The people of Kerala will not be fooled by false promises and corrupt governance, said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday while campaigning in Kollam ahead of the Assembly elections.
"Kerala, I wish for you to show to everybody in this country that you will not be fooled by any false promises, corrupt governance, and people who want power but don't serve you," Priyanka Gandhi said while addressing a public rally in Karunagappally.
"Vote for the Congress party so that you get a good government and so that Kerala can be put back on the top of development and your economy can be made strong once again," she added.
Consider imposing fines on passengers not wearing masks "properly": DGCA to airports
Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday told airports to increase surveillance to ensure COVID-19 norms are followed and consider imposing spot fines, with the help of police authorities, on passengers who are found not wearing masks properly and not maintaining social distancing.
On March 13, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had asked airports and airlines to ensure that passengers wear mask and maintain social distance at all times during air travel, and take action against those violating the norms.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, the regulator said, "During the surveillance of some airports, it has come to notice that compliance (of COVID-19 protocols) is not satisfactory."
Those above 45 years can make appointment for vaccination on CoWIN portal; on-site registration allowed from April 1 after 3 pm: Government
With 48.39 per cent, Telangana tops list of states with highest COVID-19 vaccine doses given in private facilities. Delhi second with 43.11 per cent: Government
BioNTech raises Covid vaccine output goal to 2.5 billion doses
German firm BioNTech said Tuesday it was on track to manufacture 2.5 billion doses of its Covid-19 vaccine this year with US partner Pfizer, 25 percent more than previously expected.
"The increase is driven by the optimisation of production processes, the recent initiation of production at BioNTech's Marburg, Germany facility, regulatory approval for six dose vials, and the expansion of our manufacturing and supplier network," BioNTech said in a statement.
PM Modi wishes Farooq Abdullah speedy recovery from COVID-19
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wished National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah speedy recovery from the COVID-19 infection.
"Praying for the good health and speedy recovery of Dr Farooq Abdullah Ji. Also praying for your and the entire family's good health, Omar Abdullah," the Prime Minister tweeted.
Prime Minister's tweet came after NC vice-president Omar Abdullah, also the son of Farooq Abdullah, informed that his father contracted coronavirus.
Italy to impose quarantine on EU arrivals: ministry
Italy will impose a five-day quarantine on travellers arriving from other EU countries, both residents and foreigners, a source in the health ministry said Tuesday.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza will approve a new rule later in the day, the source said, although it was not immediately clear when it would come into effect nor how long it would last.
Much of Italy remains under tight coronavirus restrictions as it battles a deadly third wave of infections, with the whole country facing a lockdown over the three-day Easter weekend starting on Saturday.
The new measure will require anyone arriving from another EU country to show a negative coronavirus test before departing for Italy and a second after five days of self-isolation.
Gujarat: COVID-19 cases in Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad rise to 70
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has gone up to 70, civic officials said on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the premier B-school had said 45 of its students, faculty and staff members tested positive for the viral infection over the last two weeks. "There are 70 positive cases in the IIMA now," Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's deputy health officer Mehul Acharya told PTI.
These people were found positive in the RT-PCR tests conducted by the institute on its campus, he said. "They have formed a quarantine centre and all COVID-19 patients are kept in the separate facility. Their doctors and our teams are regularly monitoring the health of those who are found positive," Mr Acharya said.
"Like Judas Betrayed Jesus Christ": PM Slams Pinarayi Vijayan Government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Kerala today for "Metro Man" E Sreedharan, called the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led UDF "only different in name" and said their "match-fixing" was the "worst kept secret" of Kerala politics. He also accused the LDF of "betraying Kerala for a few pieces of gold" like Judas.
Read Here Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Dharapuram, to address a public meeting shortly.
Covid Bed Allotment Through "War Rooms", Not Hospitals: Mumbai's Plan
As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Mumbai, the city's civic body is preparing for a possible shortage of hospital beds, thus adding and reserving more beds for Covid patients. At private hospitals, all ICU beds and 80 per cent of all Covid beds will be reserved for centralised allotment to patients through the civic body's "Ward War Rooms".
Read Here Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Nandigram.
Anand Mahindra To Uddhav Thackeray On Lockdown: 'Poor Are Hit Hardest'
With Maharashtra witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases over the last few weeks, businessman Anand Mahindra on Monday said "the people a lockdown hurts most are the poor, migrant workers and small businesses" as he gave a word of advice to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Read Here 'Metroman' Sreedharan Ji, a man who has done excellent work to make India modern and improve connectivity, a man admired by all sections of society, has devoted himself to Kerala's progress. As a true son of Kerala, he thought beyond power, stood firm on his commitment to Kerala: PM Modi
For many years, the worst kept secret of Kerala politics was the friendly agreement of UDF and LDF. Now, the first time voter of Kerala is asking - what is this match fixing? People are seeing how UDF and LDF misled them: PM Modi in Palakkad.
Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver. LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold: PM Modi during a public rally in Palakkad, Kerala.
Today I have come among you to seek your blessings for the BJP in the upcoming state elections. I have come here with a vision that is refreshingly different from the current situation in Kerala: PM Modi in Palakkad.
80% of total covid beds and 100% of ICU beds at private hospitals shall be kept reserved for Ward War Room allotment COVID-19 patients only. No direct admission to any of these reserved beds to be taken by hospitals: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in a circular issued yesterday.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan along with his wife Nutan Goel receives second dose of COVID-19 vaccine jab at Delhi Heart and Lung Institute.
Farooq Abdullah Tests Covid Positive, Son Omar Says Family Self-Isolating
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah has tested positive for COVID-19, his son Omar Abdullah tweeted this morning, adding that the family would self-isolate. "My father has tested positive for COVID-19 & is showing some symptoms. I will be self-isolating along with other family members until we get ourselves tested," tweeted Omar Abdullah.
Read Here India Records 56,211 New Infections, 271 Deaths In 24 Hours
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,20,95,855 with 56,211 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,13,93,021, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death count increased to 1,62,114 with 271 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
AstraZeneca Covid Shots Not Recommended For Under 55s In Canada
A scientific committee advising Ottawa on Covid-19 vaccines was to recommend Monday halting use of the AstraZeneca shot for people aged under 55, a government source told AFP. Manitoba and Quebec provinces were first to heed the new National Advisory Committee on Immunization and Health (NACI) guidelines that were based on safety concerns, following reports of rare blood clots in some patients who got the vaccine overseas.
Covid Beds For "Needy", Not For Asymptomatic Patients As Cases Rise In Mumbai
Amid a rapid surge in the Coronavirus cases in Mumbai, its civic body authority on Monday directed hospitals and nursing homes against allotting Covid beds to asymptomatic patients to ensure "prompt availability of beds to the needy". The facilities have also been asked to discharge asymptomatic patients at the earliest to vacate beds for the patients with more serious symptoms.
Read Here Covid Probably Came To Humans From Animals: WHO Experts
A team of international experts will present details Tuesday of their findings from a mission to China, which concluded Covid-19 probably passed to humans from a bat via an intermediary animal, all but ruling out a laboratory leak. But the report, drafted by World Health Organization-appointed international experts and their Chinese counterparts, offers no definitive answers on how the new coronavirus jumped to humans.
WHO Report Says "Very Low" Chance Of Frozen Food COVID-19 Origin
The chances that Covid-19 emerged in Wuhan because of imported frozen food are "very low", international health experts said Monday, casting doubt on one of the main theories China has embraced for the cause of the first coronavirus outbreak in late 2019. China has questioned the initial assumption the virus originated in the central city as it tries to deflect claims it mishandled the early outbreak, instead focusing on other potential causes as the country began to recover.
Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Highly Effective Even After 1st Shot: US Study
COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer Inc with BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc reduced the risk of infection by 80 per cent two weeks or more after the first of two shots, according to data from a real-world study of vaccinated US healthcare personnel and first responders released on Monday. The risk of infection fell 90 per cent by two weeks after the second shot, the study of just under 4,000 people found.
No Lockdown In Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister As Covid Cases Rise
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa chaired a meeting this evening to discuss ways to deal with the continuous spike in coronavirus cases in Bengaluru -- the state government describes the rate of spike as alarming. The daily average of new COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru has reached around 1,377 while the city recorded 16,921 cases in just the last 14 days.
Read Here Brazilian foreign minister resigns after criticism over vaccine shortage: Report
Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo has resigned amid rising criticism over what is perceived to be diplomatic failure to secure coronavirus vaccines as the country is grappling with supply shortages, Sputnik reported citing local media.
Goa reports 128 new COVID-19 cases
Goa reported 128 new COVID-19 cases, 101 recoveries and two deaths in the last 24 hours.
The total cases of COVID-19 in the state so far has reached 57,712. Total recoveries are 55,455, while the death count is 828, ANI reported.