New Delhi: India added 43,846 new coronavirus infections in 24 hours till Sunday morning, setting another grim record of highest daily cases in nearly four months. This comes amid a worrying surge in Covid cases that has prompted states like Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to consider shutting down schools again, restrictions on public gatherings and other virus-fighting measures, including lockdown in their worst-hit districts.
The daily rise in infections on Sunday was the highest recorded in 112 days, as the number of fatalities rose to 1,59,755, with 197 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am Sunday showed.
Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat are the five states that have recorded the highest single-day surge since Saturday, government data showed.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates:
Mar 23, 2021 05:09 (IST)
UP Schools Up To Class 8 To Remain Shut Till March 31
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, all schools up to class 8 in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed from March 24 till March 31, reported news agency ANI.
All other educational institutions where exams are not underway will remain close from March 25 to March 31, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the Chief Minister with officials to combat COVID-19.
Several state governments have announced the closure of schools and colleges following a spike in COVID-19 daily cases in the country.
Mar 23, 2021 05:08 (IST)
Telangana Youth Congress Protest At State Assembly Seeking Unemployment Allowance
Telangana Youth Congress staged a protest at the state Assembly on Monday demanding the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government to allocate unemployment allowance, reported news agency ANI.
Several Youth Congress leaders including Telangana Youth Congress chief K Shiva Sena Reddy were allegedly arrested during the protest.
Mar 23, 2021 04:28 (IST)
Many Injured As Temporary Gallery Collapses During Kabaddi Championship In Telangana
Several people suffered injuries when a temporary gallery erected for spectators during a national junior Kabaddi championship collapsed in Telangana's Suryapet on Monday, reported news agency ANI.
The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The incident took place shortly after the 47th national Kabaddi championship was launched on Monday.
Mar 23, 2021 02:45 (IST)
200 Asiatic Lions Killed In Rail Accidents In 2019 In Gujarat's Gir Forest
Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat Shaktisinh Gohil on Monday raised the issue of killing of Asiatic Lions in rail accidents in Gujarat's Gir Forest, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking during the Zero Hour of the Upper House, the Congress leader claimed that 200 Asiatic Lions were killed in accidents on railway tracks in 2019.
"Asiatic Lions are our heritage. If the identity of Gir Forest is found in the whole world, it is due to Asiatic Lions. They are rarest of rare and found inside Gir according to Moonlight Survey in 2020. Their total population is 674 including the number of lions in the zoos and forests. But it could have been more. In 2018, 193 Asiatic lions were killed in accidents on railway tracks. However, in 2019, this number went up to 200," Shaktisinh Gohil said.
Mar 23, 2021 02:04 (IST)
PM Modi Lauds BJP's Win In Goa Civic Polls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the BJP's victory in municipal elections in Goa and said that the results show people's appreciation towards the party's development agenda, reported news agency ANI.
"Thank you Goa for the continuous support to BJP. The results of the Municipal Elections 2021 show the people's appreciation towards our Party's development agenda. I laud all hardworking BJP Karyakartas who went among people and worked hard during the campaign," PM Modi tweeted.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the BJP won a majority in five out of six municipal councils which went to polls on March 20. He added that the BJP also won a majority in the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP).
Mar 23, 2021 00:07 (IST)
Researchers Identify Drug That Can Be Repurposed To Treat COVID-19
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal and the University of Nebraska Medical Centre (UNMC) in the US have identified a drug that can be repurposed to treat COVID-19.
According to the team, ''Rapamycin'' is currently being used for treating cancer patients and those who have undergone organ transplantation. Its analogues are commonly available in India and abroad.
The research was published in a peer-reviewed paper recently in the reputed International Elsevier journal, Chemico Biological Interactions. The researchers showed that the biochemical working of this drug molecule points to its promise in the treatment of COVID-19.
Mar 22, 2021 19:12 (IST)
BJP wins Panaji Municipal Corporation, secures 25 wards
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led panel won 25 out of 30 seats in the municipal elections in Panaji on Monday.
It has also won many wards in other councils for which counting is underway.
The panel was led by newly-inducted Atanasio Monserrate, who joined the BJP in 2019.
"I am just a worker of the BJP party, the party selected me to run this campaign," said Monserrate after the win.
Uday Madkaikar, former Mayor of the Municipal Corporation said the party was assured of winning all the 30 wards but yet, 25 is not a small figure.
