Latest News Live Updates: The recovery rate is 96.86 per cent.
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded above 23,000 taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,13,08,846, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 1,97,237 which now comprises 1.74 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate has increased to 96.86 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 23,285 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 1,58,306 with 117 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, the Centre is "very worried" about the upsurge in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul said, adding the virus cannot be taken for granted if the country has to remain Covid-free. The remark comes after the Maharashtra government announced a week-long lockdown - from March 15 to March 21 - in Nagpur, which reported over 1,800 cases in 24 hours.
Maharashtra, the worst-hit state in the country, reported 13,659 daily coronavirus cases on Thursday, which is 60 percent of the country's single-day total.
The Union Health Ministry said eight of the 10 cities with the highest number of active cases belong to Maharashtra. They are - Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Mumbai, Amravati, Jalgaon, Nashik and Aurangabad.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates:
UN agency rejects Covid vaccine as air travel prerequisiteCovid-19 vaccinations should not be required for international travel, the UN civil aviation agency said Friday as part of updated pandemic guidelines for the air transportation sector. The International Civil Aviation Organization Council's Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) issued six new and two amended recommendations to member states aimed, after a dismal year, at "restoring public confidence in air travel and getting passengers to fly again."
"After a 70 percent decrease in air traffic, international air transport can now see the light at the end of the tunnel thanks (in part) to these new recommendations and guidelines," said ICAO Council president Salvatore Sciacchitano. "The Council," he said, "has also taken into account the latest position of the WHO, which specifies that proof of Covid-19 vaccination should not be made a condition for international travel."
World Health Organization "deeply concerned" by Brazil Covid surgeThe World Health Organization voiced deep concern Friday about Brazil's Covid-19 situation, urging "serious measures" to rein in surging numbers of cases and deaths, and relieve its overburdened health system. "We are deeply concerned," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing, pointing out that "not just the number of cases, but the number of deaths is also increasing".
"The measures that should be taken should be as serious as possible."
Partial lockdown for most of Italy from Monday
Italy's government on Friday announced tough new restrictions for much of the country following a fresh surge in infections of coronavirus that will see schools, restaurants, bars and museums closed. The populous northern regions including Lombardy, which surrounds Milan, as well as others including Lazio, which surrounds Rome, will be designated "red zones" from Monday, the health ministry said.
WHO approves J&J's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency listingThe World Health Organization on Friday approved the emergency listing of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, giving its seal of approval to expedite use especially in countries with weaker regulatory agencies. It is the third COVID-19 vaccine after the two-shot regimens of Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca to receive backing from the WHO, and the first requiring just a single injection.
The listing covers use in all countries, for roll-out of the vaccine facility COVAX and follows the European Medicines Agency (EMA) authorisation announcement on Thursday. "Every new, safe and effective tool against COVID-19 is another step closer to controlling the pandemic," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
India To Make Vaccines For Indo-Pacific; PM Says, "Quad Has Come Of Age"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga came together this evening in a virtual meeting of the "Quad" group of nations that is central to efforts to counter China's growing military and economic power.
Uttarakhand To Withdraw Cases Lodged For Violation Of Covid Guidelines
The Uttarakhand government on Friday decided to withdraw the cases lodged for the violation of coronavirus guidelines in the state, reported news agency PTI.
This decision was taken in the first meeting of the newly-formed state cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat.
State Chief Secretary Omprakash said the state cabinet has decided to withdraw all cases filed for the violation of COVID-19 guidelines.
The chief secretary has issued orders to celebrate four years of the government in all assembly constituencies on March 18.
Hansal Mehta, Pritish Nandy Question Child Rights Body's Objection To "Bombay Begums"
Filmmakers Hansal Mehta and Pritish Nandy Friday questioned the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights' (NCPRC) objection to Netflix series "Bombay Begums", wondering if it is another assault on creative freedom of filmmakers, reported news agency PTI.
In a notice to Netflix on Thursday, the NCPCR asked the streamer to stop streaming the show citing inappropriate portrayal of children in the web series.
The top child rights body has asked the OTT platform to furnish a detailed action report within 24 hours, failing which it said it will be constrained to initiate appropriate legal action.
Narendra Modi At Quad Summit: United By Democratic ValuesPrime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga came together this evening in a virtual meeting of the "Quad" group of nations that is central to efforts to counter China's growing military and economic power.
Quad Summit Today: Open Indo-Pacific, Vaccines On Agenda At 1st Quad Summit Today: 10 PointsPrime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga came together this evening in a virtual meeting of the leaders of the "Quad" group of nations. The first summit - seen as part of efforts to balance China's growing military and economic power - will focus on a "free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region" as well as on ensuring affordable and safe vaccine against coronavirus, the Foreign Ministry said earlier. Financing agreements to support an increase in manufacturing capacity for coronavirus vaccines in India are also on the table, a senior US administration official told news agency Reuters. India is the world's biggest vaccine maker. This is the first meeting between PM Modi and President Biden since the latter took over as US President.
Appoint Special Observers For Mamata Banerjee's Contituency Nandigram: BJP
Special observers should be appointed for Nandigram assembly seat from where Mamata Banerjee is contesting the upcoming polls, said BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, reported news agency PTI.
President Ram Nath Kovind To Visit Uttar Pradesh TomorrowPresident Ram Nath Kovind will visit Uttar Pradesh from March 13 to 15, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a statement on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
The President will reach Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday afternoon, it said.
"On March 14, the president will visit Chapki in Sonbhadra district where he will grace the Vanvasi Samagam and inaugurate the newly constructed building of Seva Kunj Ashram," the statement said.
India, China Review Situation Along Line Of Actual Control In Eastern Ladakh: Centre
In diplomatic talks, India and China review situation along Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs said, reported news agency PTI.
Coast Guard Rescues Seven Fishermen As Boat Catches Fire Off GujaratThe Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued seven fishermen after a fishing boat caught fire in the Arabian sea along the Gujarat coast, it said on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
The boat was gutted in the fire and sank, an official release said.
The ICG ship Rajratan received a distress call on Thursday evening from a fishing boat that another boat named "Harsiddhi" had caught fire around 37 nautical miles from Navadra, a coastal village in Devbhumi-Dwarka district.
Owner Of Surgical Kit Factory In Ghaziabad Dies Of Burn Injuries After Fire In UnitA fire broke out at a surgical equipment factory in Ghaziabad killing the owner of the unit while several workers sustained severe burns, the police said on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
The factory of Eiifer Surgimed, a private surgical kit maker, went up in flames on Thursday night leaving 14 people, including the owner, two women and a child, with severe burn injuries.
On Friday, factory owner Kunal Bahl, who was in his early 40s, died from his burn injuries, the police said.
The blaze happened while the workers at the site were making a chemical that is used as an adhesive in surgical tapes. The incident took place on the ground floor of the factory when the workers were boiling the adhesive chemical that exploded due to excess heat.
Actor Mithun Chakraborty Gets Y+ Security After Joining BJP Ahead Of Polls
Actor Mithun Chakraborty, who recently joined the BJP ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls, has been provided "Y+" security by the Centre, reported news agency ANI. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has initiated the process to provide him with security, sources said.
The Centre's decision to provide the security cover to Mithun Chakraborty comes a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that she was allegedly pushed by a few people during her poll campaign in Nandigram. Ms Banerjee is now admitted to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata with an injury to her foot.
Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on March 7.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha Urges Bengal Farmers Not To Vote For BJPThe Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of over 40 farmers' unions, today urged agriculturists and other people of West Bengal not to vote for the BJP in the upcoming elections.
The SKM said that electoral defeat will force the BJP-led government at the Centre to repeal the three farm laws.
"We are not supporting any party or telling people whom to vote for but our only appeal is that the BJP should be taught a lesson," SKM leader Yogendra Yadav told reporters.
There Should Be No Politics On Patriotism: Arvind Kejriwal
"There should be no politics on patriotism. Why are Congress and BJP opposing our plan to unfurl tricolor in Delhi," asks Arvind Kejriwal, reported news agency PTI.
BS Yediyurappa Gets Vaccinated Against Covid
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa gets vaccinated against Covid.
Flagging Off 91st Anniversary Celebration Of Dandi March, Ashok Gehlot Hopes PM Will Deciside On Farm LawsRajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today hoped that Mahatma Gandhi's message will "shake the conscience" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he will take a decision over the three farm laws, reported news agency PTI.
Mr Gehlot today flagged off a march in Jaipur on the 91st anniversary of the Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi.
PM Modi flagged off a padyatra (foot march) from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to re-enact Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi Yatra.
Army Personnel Carry Pregnant Woman To Hospital On Cot In Snow-Covered J&K
COVID-19: Six states account for over 85 per cent of new cases
Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu continue to report a surge in daily COVID-19 cases, accounting for 85.6 per cent of the new cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
India's total COVID-19 active caseload has reached 1,97,237 and now comprises 1.74 per cent of India's total infections.
"Five states cumulatively account for 82.96 per cent of the total active cases in the country. Two states - Maharashtra and Kerala- account for 71.69 per cent of India''s total active cases," the ministry said.
A total of 23,285 new cases were registered in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 14,317 (61.48 per cent of the daily new cases). It is followed by Kerala with 2,133 while Punjab reported 1,305 new cases, the ministry said.
The Centre is actively engaging with all state and UT governments, especially those showing an upsurge in daily new cases and with a high caseload of active cases, it said.
The Union government is regularly reviewing the status of COVID-19 containment and public health measures with them.
Manoj Bajpayee tests positive for COVID-19, under home quarantine
Manoj Bajpayee has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is currently under home quarantine, the actor's spokesperson said on Friday.
Mr Bajpayee's spokesperson said the actor, who had commenced shooting for Kanu Behl-directed "Despatch" last month, was diagnosed with COVID-19 after the director got infected with it.
"Manoj Bajpayee was shooting for ''Despatch'' film which is produced by Ronnie Screwvala and has tested COVID positive after his director got infected with it.
"Manoj Bajpayee is on medication and recovering well. He is in self-quarantine at home and following all precautions," the 51-year-old actor's spokesperson said in a statement.
The shoot of "Despatch" has been put on hold and will resume in a couple of months.
Pune sees fresh curbs in light of rise in COVID-19 cases
Considering the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the administration in Maharashtra's Pune district has directed schools and colleges to remain shut till March 31 and curtailed the operating time for hotels and restaurants.
According to the new set of restrictions, schools and colleges will remain closed till March 31, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to function till 10 pm, and food deliveries will be permitted till 11 pm, Pune divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao said.
The administration will ensure that the preparations for Class 10 and 12 board exams will not be affected at this time, he said.
Hotels and restaurants will have to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity, and operators have been asked to put up a board displaying the number of patrons in the premises at any given time, the official said.
No fresh COVID-19 case in Arunachal in 24 hours, tally at 16,840
Arunachal Pradesh did not report any COVID-19 case in the past 24 hours, a senior health official said on Friday.
The total caseload in the northeastern state remained at 16,840, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Lobsang Jampa said.
Arunachal Pradesh now has four active cases, while 16,780 people have recovered from the disease so far.
A total of 56 people have died due to the contagion, the SSO said.
Altogether, 4,09,502 samples have been tested for COVID-19, including 334 on Thursday, Jampa said.
Meanwhile, State Immunisation Officer (SIO) Dimong Padung said 48,752 people have been inoculated in the state thus far.
COVID-19: Maharashtra Vaccinates 80,705 People In Last 24 Hours
Maharashtra vaccinated 80,705 people in the last 24 hours against the coronavirus, according to the Maharashtra Health Department on Friday.
Out of the total number of vaccinations during the last 24 hours, 79,748 were administered Covishield vaccine and 957 were given Covaxin vaccine. With this, the total vaccinated in the state has mounted to 24,34,966.
The Union Health Ministry on Thursday during its weekly press conference expressed concerns over the COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra and said that the reduced testing, tracing and lack of COVID appropriate behaviours have led to the surge in active cases in the state.
Manipal Hospitals conducts free Covid-19 vaccination for all their dialysis patients on World Kidney Day
On the account of World Kidney Day observed on March 11, Manipal Hospitals has undertaken a new initiative to provide Covid-19 vaccination free-of-cost for those patients undergoing dialysis at Manipal Hospitals.
The vaccinations were offered across all Manipal Hospital centers at Old Airport Road, Whitefield and Malleshwaram.
Kidney patients are at an elevated risk of Covid-19 due to their long-term medical conditions and low immunity. Keeping this in mind, the free vaccination drive was conducted by Manipal Hospitals with a vision to protect its dialysis patients against the virus and spread awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated.
There were dedicated vaccination booths apart from the regular Covid-19 vaccination counter that was organized across all its centers of Manipal Hospitals.
The drive was conducted from March 11, 2021 onwards, and the aim is to complete the vaccination for all its patients who are undergoing dialysis at Manipal Hospitals (at present under the directive of Govt for 45 plus comorbidities and 60 years and above).
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Puducherry logs 30 new COVID-19 cases, overall tally inches close to 40K mark
Puducherry added 30 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours pushing the overall tally close to the 40,000 mark.
The 30 new cases took the infection tally in the union territory to 39,984, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release on Friday.
The fresh cases were identified at the end of the examination of 1,202 samples with Puducherry and Karaikal regions accounting for 12 each and Mahe (six) while Yanam had no fresh case of infection.
No fresh fatality was reported from any of the four regions-Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam- during last 24 hours ending 10 AM Friday, he said, adding the death toll remained at 670.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi garlands a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at Hriday Kunj, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. He will flag off the Dandi March from the Ashram today, as part of Amrit Mahotsav programme to mark the 75 years of India's independence.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar holds a meeting at Council Hall to review COVID-19 situation in Pune. District representatives, MPs, MLAs and Mayor also present.
Mizoram reports one fresh COVID-19 case, tally rises to 4,435
A 13-year-old boy tested positive for novel coronavirus in Mizoram, pushing the tally to 4,435, an official said on Friday.
The northeastern state now has nine active cases, while 4,416 people have recovered from the disease so far, he said.
The death toll remained at 10.
Mizoram has tested 2,40,960 samples till date, including 516 on Thursday, the official said.
JustIn| 23,285 fresh COVID-19 cases in India, nearly 2% higher than yesterday; 1.13 crore total cases, 1,58,306 deaths
Thane district's COVID-19 count rises by 937, death toll by 6
With the addition of 937 coronavirus cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 2,73,130, an official said on Friday.
These new cases were reported on Thursday, he said.
As the virus claimed the lives of six persons, the death toll in the district rose to 6,321.
The district's COVID-19 mortality rate is 2.31 per cent at present, he added.
So far, 2,58,718 patients have recuperated from the infection, which took its recovery rate to 94.72 per cent.
There are 8,091 active cases in Thane at present, the official said.
Johnson & Johnson's top scientist on their Covid vaccine's 'secret sauce'
Johnson & Johnson's single-dose Covid vaccine was authorized in the European Union Thursday, the fourth shot greenlighted by the bloc.
AFP spoke to J&J's Chief Scientific Officer Paul Stoffels about what it means for the fight to end the pandemic. The interview was edited for clarity.
AFP: What makes the J&J vaccine such an important tool?
Stoffels: The vaccine we just got approved by the European authorities is a single-shot vaccine, and it's the first vaccine which was studied on a very large scale (around 40,000 people), including the variants. And we have shown high efficacy against severe disease as well as hospitalization and death.
In addition, it's a single dose with stability that you ship at 2 to 8 Celsius, normal refrigeration, which will help facilitate large-scale implementation in the world.
Joe Biden offers Covid-weary US hope for summer, but says 'fight' not over
President Joe Biden on Thursday offered his Covid-weary nation a tantalizing glimpse of an almost normal July 4th, outlining in a speech how the United States can defeat the coronavirus if people stay united on prevention measures and get vaccinated.
"This fight is far from over," Biden said in his first televised primetime address as president, marking 12 months since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic.
Delivering an emotional tribute to the more than 530,000 Americans who have died from Covid-19 over the last 12 months, Biden said "While it was different for everyone, we all lost something: a collective suffering, a collective sacrifice."
But he raised hope that the country hardest hit by the global pandemic could overcome the virus if Americans work together and follow health experts' guidelines on wearing masks and getting vaccinated.
"Just as we are emerging from a dark winter into a hopeful spring and summer is not the time to not stick with the rules," he said.
If Americans stay the course, they may be able to mark their cherished July 4th national holiday in somewhat normal circumstances, he said.
JustIn| Thailand delays AstraZeneca vaccine rollout: official
WHO assessing reports on risks related to AstraZeneca vaccine: ReportA spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) told Sputnik that its Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) was carefully assessing the reports on risks related to the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19. A number of European states have suspended vaccination with the AstraZeneca drug as a precaution after reports on severe side-effects, including blood clots, that were allegedly triggered by the vaccine, Sputnik reported.
The European Medicines Agency said there was currently no indication that the reported negative effects had been caused by the vaccination.
US to end Covid vaccine priority group restrictions by May 1: OfficialUS President Joe Biden will order authorities across the entire United States to lift priority restrictions on people wanting to get Covid-19 vaccinations by the start of May, an official said Thursday. "He will direct states that no later than May 1, all Americans need to be eligible to receive the vaccine," said a senior administration official, who asked not to be identified.
Joe Biden will discuss his plans in a primetime television speech later Thursday. The official noted that this doesn't mean all adults will actually get their shots by that date.
Italy bans batch of AstraZeneca jab but plays down risksItaly's medicines regulator on Thursday banned the use of a batch of AstraZeneca/Oxford coronavirus vaccine as a precaution, triggering a similar decision from fellow EU member Romania. The Italian regulator made the decision despite saying there was no established link between the vaccine and reports of some people suffering blood clots days after receiving the shot.
"Following the reporting of some serious adverse events... AIFA has decided, as a precaution, to issue a ban on the use of this batch throughout the national territory," the AIFA regulator said in a statement.
EU approves Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccineThe European Union approved the single-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine on Thursday -- the fourth jab to get the green light for the 27-nation bloc. The decision offers a boost for the EU's sluggish vaccination programme. J&J said it aims to begin delivery to the bloc in the second half of April and to supply 200 million doses to the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021.
The European Commission formally gave the green light for the jab after the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended approval.
"More safe and effective vaccines are coming to the market," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet.