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This Article is From Feb 19, 2021

Latest News Highlights: 12,881 New Coronavirus Cases In India

There are 1,37,342 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which accounts for 1.25 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

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India News Edited by Nonika Sharma

Updated : February 19, 2021 5:43 am IST

Latest News Highlights: The recovery rate is 97.32 per cent.

New Delhi:

India's COVID-19 infection tally climbed to 1,09,50,201 with 12,881 new cases in a day, while 1,06,56,845 people have recuperated so far pushing the national recovery rate to 97.32 per cent on Thursday, according to Union Health Ministry data.

There are 1,37,342 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which accounts for 1.25 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

The death count climbed to 1,56,014 with the novel coronavirus virus claiming 101 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the data showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate stood at 1.42 per cent.

Meanwhile, a fresh set of travel guidelines has been issued as two new, highly more infectious strains of Covid -- the South African and the Brazilian strains -- have been detected in India. The new rules apply to all incoming international passengers except those from the UK, Europe and Middle East, the health ministry has said.

Here are the highlights:

Feb 19, 2021 04:45 (IST)

Brazil passes 10 million coronavirus infections

Brazil, the country with the second-highest coronavirus deaths, passed the 10-million mark for reported infections Thursday, amid a deadly second wave and problems with its vaccination campaign.

The country became the third to reach the grim mark -- after the United States and India -- with more than 51,900 new infections in 24 hours, according to official data.

Over the same one-day period, 1,367 people died, bringing the total to over 243,400.

Brazil's figure of 10,030,626 came amid mounting criticism of how President Jair Bolsonaro's government has handled the epidemic and a vaccination response.

So far, three percent of the population of 212 million have received one of two required vaccine doses.

Feb 19, 2021 04:26 (IST)

Bhandara hospital fire: Case registered against two nurses

A case of criminal negligence has been registered against two staff nurses in connection with the fire at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Bhandara in which 10 infants had died, police said on Thursday.

A case under IPC section 304(2) (causing death by negligence) was registered against Shubhangi Sathavane and Smita Ambildukhe, both nurses, said director general of police Hemant Nagrale. Further probe is on, he said.

Feb 19, 2021 03:42 (IST)

BJP to form govt in Assam with more seats: Narendra Singh Tomar

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said the BJP-led Assam government will come back to power in the assembly polls on the back of a "pro-incumbency wave" with better performance than last time.

He said the government led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has fulfilled all expectations of the people and the party workers are enthused about the poll prospects.

"There is a pro-incumbency wave in Assam as BJP fulfilled all expectations. Our party workers are very enthused and we will win more seats this time," Mr Tomar said at a press conference here in his first visit after assuming charge of the party's observer for Assam during the polls.

Feb 19, 2021 03:22 (IST)

Rajasthan Chief Minister offers chadar for Ajmer Sharif on behalf of Cong president Sonia Gandhi

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday offered a ''chadar'' on behalf of Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the dargah of sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer.

The ''chadar'' was offered on the occasion of the 809th Urs of the sufi saint.

Mr Gehot also read out a message sent by Gandhi.

"The country is going through a difficult situation. During the Corona era, people had to face a tough time. Those in power in the country have left no stone unturned to weaken its fabric and centuries-old unity, and are spreading hatred among people," the Congress president said in her message.

Feb 19, 2021 03:12 (IST)

Offices, colleges, cinema halls, parks to reopen in Jharkhand on March 1

Government offices, colleges, coaching centres, cinema halls and parks across Jharkhand will reopen on March 1 after being closed for almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said on Thursday.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Mr Soren during the day. He said hundred per cent attendance will be mandatory for government employees.

Schools will reopen on that date for students of Class 8 and above. Colleges are also set to reopen, the Chief Minister told newsmen after a meeting of the Jharkhand State Disaster Manangement Authority.

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Feb 19, 2021 02:32 (IST)

Israel extends coronavirus border closure to March 6

Israel said Thursday it will extend the closure of its airports and land borders for 14 more days in a bid to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

A joint statement from the prime minister's office and the health minister said the country's borders will remain closed until March 6, except for urgent reasons.

Israel had suspended international flights on January 24, before also closing the border crossings with Jordan and Egypt.

However, the immigration ministry said Thursday that six special flights were still authorised to land, carrying some 900 immigrants from Ethiopia, France, Russia, Ukraine and South America.

The new arrivals will be subject to quarantine upon arrival, the ministry said in a statement.

Feb 19, 2021 02:18 (IST)

AstraZeneca Vaccine Faces Resistance In Europe After Health Workers Suffer Side-Effects

Health authorities in some European countries are facing resistance to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine after side-effects led hospital staff and other front-line workers to call in sick, putting extra strain on already-stretched services.

Such symptoms, as reported in clinical trials for the AstraZeneca shot, can include a high temperature or headache and are a normal sign that the body is generating an immune response. They usually fade within a day or so.

The other shots approved in Europe, developed by Pfizer and Moderna, have been linked to similar temporary side-effects, including fever and fatigue.

Feb 19, 2021 01:49 (IST)

French President Emmanuel Macron suggests West sets aside 3-5% of vaccines for Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed that rich Western countries transfer 3-5 percent of their stock of Covid-19 vaccines to Africa, in an interview with the Financial Times published on Thursday.

With developing countries struggling in the race to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus, Macron argued that failure to share the vaccine would exacerbate global inequality.

Tranferring "3-5 per cent of the vaccines we have in stock to Africa... won't delay it by a single day given the way we use our doses," he told the paper.

Feb 19, 2021 01:28 (IST)

African Covid deaths top 1,00,000

Africa on Thursday recorded more than 100,000 deaths from Covid-19, a grim milestone likely to understate the real toll, as the continent of 1.2 billion people battles a second wave of infections.

The 54 countries in the region have a death toll of 100,000 from 3,793,660 reported cases, according to an AFP tally.

The continent, relatively spared by the pandemic, is the last except Oceania to reach the threshold of 100,000 deaths, which Europe crossed in April 2020.

South Africa -- the worst hit African country -- rolled out a mass testing campaign at the start of the pandemic.

To date, the country has recorded nearly 1.5 million cases and more than 48,000 deaths.

Feb 19, 2021 00:55 (IST)

Technological innovations, digitisation became mainstay of judicial proceedings in lockdown: Law Secretary

Union Law Secretary Anoop Mendiratta on Thursday said digitisation and technological innovations became the mainstay of judicial proceedings in India during the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

Representing India in Commonwealth High Level Law Ministers Meeting on the legal aspects of COVID-19, he said that in April last year, the Supreme Court gave legal sanctity and validity to court hearings held through video conferencing, which came as a big boost for timely disposal of litigations.

He was addressing the meet on behalf of Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, an official statement said.

Feb 19, 2021 00:38 (IST)

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday that he has tested positive for coronavirus infection. Read Here

Feb 19, 2021 00:28 (IST)

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate ''Hunar Haat'' in Delhi on February 21

The 26th ''Hunar Haat'' of indigenous artisans and craftsmen from across the country at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi will be formally inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on February 21.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi will be the chief guest and Minister of Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya and MP Meenakshi Lekhi will be the guest of honour at the event organised by Ministry of Minority Affairs.

The theme for the 26th ''Hunar Haat'' is ''Vocal for Local'' and will continue to March 1 where more than 600 artisans and craftsmen, including participation from a large number of women artisans, from more than 31 States and Union Territories.

Feb 18, 2021 23:44 (IST)

New Restrictions In Maharashtra As Daily Cases Cross 5,000 After 75 Days
Maharashtra declared fresh restrictions in two districts as coronavirus figures started a slow climb in the state after being at a for two months. Lockdown in Amravati will begin at 8 pm on Saturday and stay in place till Monday morning. Another district, Yavatmal, was also placed under restriction due to rising Covid cases. Today, the state reported more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases, a new high after a gap of 75 days.

Schools and colleges to remain closed till February 28 in Yavatmal. Restaurants and function halls will operate and wedding ceremonies will be held with less than 50 per cent capacity. Assembly of five or more people will not be allowed, the district collector said.

Amravati collector Shailesh Naval today appealed to the people to follow Covid protocols. Read

Feb 18, 2021 20:46 (IST)

Be Ready To Sacrifice Your Standing Crop: Rakesh Tikait At Haryana Mahapanchayat
Asserting that they won't return home till the farm laws are repealed, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said farmers should be ready to sacrifice their standing crop for it.

Mr Tikait said the government should not be under the impression that the movement against the laws will end as farmers will go to their villages to harvest their crop.

"Even if you have to set your standing crop on fire, you should be prepared for it. The government should not harbour this impression that farmers will return home. We will harvest crops and continue our agitation at the same time," he said addressing a "mahapanchayat" at Hisar's Kharak Poonia village in Haryana. "There will be no "ghar wapsi" till then," he said.

Feb 18, 2021 19:14 (IST)

Covid Figures Moving Up, Maharashtra Declares A Day's Lockdown In Amravati
Maharashtra has declared a weekend lockdown in one district, Amravati, as coronavirus figures started a slow climb in the state after lying low for two months. Lockdown in the district will begin at 8 pm on Saturday and stay in place till Monday morning.

Amravati collector Shailesh Naval today appealed to the people to follow Covid protocols.

Announcing the lockdown in the district, he said: "Due to increase in COVID-19 cases, we are imposing a one-day lockdown in Amravati district from Saturday evening 8 pm till Monday morning 7am".

Feb 18, 2021 18:06 (IST)

We Will Take Our Tractors To Bengal, Warns Farmer Leader Rakesh Tikait
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said the protesting farmers will take the agitation to the poll-bound West Bengal if the Centre does not concur with their demands against the new farm laws.

Addressing a maha panchayat at Kharak Punia in Hisar, Mr Tikait said, "Crops prices are not increased, but fuel prices have gone up. If Centre ruins the situation, we will take our tractors to West Bengal as well. Farmers have not been getting minimum support price (MSP) there also."

"The Centre should not be under any misconception that farmers will go back for crop harvesting. If they insisted (cracking down the protest), then we will burn our crops. They should not think that protest will end in two months. We will harvest as well as protest," added Mr Tikait.

Feb 18, 2021 17:16 (IST)

"Kisan Panchayat" By Priyanka Gandhi In Mathura Postponed To February 23
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Kisan panchayat' scheduled in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district on February 19 has been postponed to February 23, due to the demise of former Union Minister Captain Satish Sharma.

"Kisan Panchayat to be held in Mathura on 19 February 2021 has been postponed to 23 February due to the untimely demise of Captain Satish Sharma ji. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be attending his funeral tomorrow to be held at Dayanand Mukti Dham, Lodhi Road," read an official statement from the office of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

"Captain Satish Sharma was a dear friend who stood by the family through thick and thin. People of Amethi and Raebareli will always remember him as a people's person who stood by them during difficult times. While expressing her sorrow, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that she and her family have lost a true friend," the statement added.

Feb 18, 2021 16:49 (IST)

Collaboration Shown In Fighting Covid Valuable Takeaway: PM At 10 Nations Meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for greater integration among South Asian and Indian Ocean island countries, saying the spirit of regional solidarity shown during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven such integration is possible.

Addressing a workshop on "COVID-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward" with 10 neighbouring countries, including the extended neighbourhood, PM Modi said the spirit of collaboration is a valuable takeaway from this pandemic.

The prime minister said that if 21st century is to be the Asian century, then it cannot be without greater integration among South Asian and Indian Ocean island countries.

Feb 18, 2021 16:18 (IST)

Trains Stopped As Farmers Squat On Tracks In Parts Of Haryana, UP
Farmers protesting against the Centre's new farm laws have gathered near rail tracks in parts of Punjab, Haryana Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka for the ''rail roko'' protest. The agitation, which started at noon, will continue till 4 pm and will be peaceful, the farmers have said. Train services have been stopped in several areas as part of precautionary measure. Security has been tightened in Punjab and Haryana, with the deployment of the government railway police and the state police.

Ghaziabad near Delhi -- where protesting farmers have been blocking the highway since November -- has also been put under a security blanket.

In Haryana, the train stations at Sonipat, Ambala and Jind were completely blocked. Protesters, many of them women, squatted on the railway Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Panchkula and Fatehabad (Bhattu Kalan) districts.

Feb 18, 2021 15:56 (IST)

How To Register For Covid Vaccine Once Co-WIN Is Launched For Public
The government today dismissed rumours that the Co-WIN app for self-registration of coronavirus vaccine beneficiaries will be made available this month for citizens above 50. The 50-plus category is the third population priority group after healthcare workers and frontline workers who are being administered the vaccines at present. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Monday had said that the centre will be in a situation to administer vaccines against coronavirus to those above 50 years of age in March.

"A #WhatsApp message claims that the inoculation registration on the #CowinApp will open in February for citizens aged above 50. #PIBFactCheck: This claim is #Fake. No such decision has been taken by the Government. Conclusion: FAKE," the Press Information Bureau's fact-checking account tweeted. Read

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