As on March 4, a total 242 samples have tested positive for different variants in India: Ashwini Choubey
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it was critical to stop what he called the "emerging second peak" of Covid with decisive steps including micro-containment zones, increased testing and enforcement of restrictions like masks, at a meeting with Chief Ministers amid a worrying spike in Covid cases in some states.
"If we don't stop this pandemic right now, then there could be a nationwide outbreak. We have to immediately stop the emerging second peak and take big and decisive steps," PM Modi told the Chief Ministers.
"The self-confidence that we gained in our corona fight should not turn into overconfidence. Our success should not be the reason for carelessness," he warned.
He stressed that initiatives needed to be taken without creating a state of panic among people.
Here are the highlights:
West Bengal: BJP will soon announce candidates for remaining phases, says Babul Supriyo
Union Minister Babul Supriyo on Wednesday said the names of candidates for the remaining phases of West Bengal elections will be announced in a day or two.
He was speaking to reporters after the BJP's Central Election Committee meeting concluded at the party headquarters.
"The name of candidates (for remaining phases of West Bengal elections) will be announced in a day or two," Supriyo said.
BJP has fielded Supriyo from Tollygunge Assembly seat.
France virus cases surge as new restrictions loomFrance recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus cases in nearly four months on Wednesday, with the hard-hit Paris region bracing for a possible weekend lockdown to stem the rising tide of cases.
In the past 24 hours, 38,501 new infections were registered, up from 29,975 the day before, and the highest number since November, the public health authority said.
The "positivity" rate -- the proportion of positive results compared to the number of tests carried out overall -- remained stable at 7.5 percent, but the number of people in intensive care declined slightly to 4,219, the data showed.
The number of deaths from Covid-19 over the past 24 hours in France as a whole stood at 246, bringing the country's overall total to 91,427.
COVID-19 vaccination camps set up at Kundli border for protesting farmers: Haryana Chief Minister
While showing concern over the health of the agitating farmers who are camping on Haryana-New Delhi borders in Sonipat, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday announced that COVID-19 vaccination camps have been set up at Kundli border for virus containment.
However, the vaccination at these camps has begun from today and is being done in coordination with Red Cross society Coordinator Saroj Bala.
The vaccination doses are being administered at Rasoi Dhaba situated at the Kundli border.
Karnataka State Board of Auqaf clarifies amid row over morning-azan circular
The Karnataka State Board of Auqaf clarified on Wednesday that its previous circular regarding ban on loudspeakers in mosques and mausoleums from 10 pm to 6 am was not about restricting the morning azan or call for prayer.
On March 9, the board had issued a circular to all the mosques and ''dargahs'' in the state not to use loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am, saying the ambient noise level around many mosques and mausoleums have "deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well-being of the people".
Stating that the contents of its previous circular was misrepresented, Auqaf Board CEO YM Mohammed Yousuff issued a fresh circular on Wednesday.
"The prohibition of usage of loudspeaker was misrepresented as prohibition for morning azan, which is not correct," the CEO said.
Brazil's new health minister vows science-based Covid policies
Brazil's incoming health minister vowed Wednesday to implement science-based policies against Covid-19 and said he may make "adjustments" to far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's widely criticized management of the pandemic.
Bolsonaro, who has defied expert advice on handling the new coronavirus, is facing pressure to contain an explosion of cases that is pushing Brazil's hospitals to the brink and threatening his own chances at re-election next year.
In a change of course, the president named respected cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga as his new health minister Monday, replacing Eduardo Pazuello, an army general with no prior medical experience.
Queiroga, who will be Bolsonaro's fourth health minister of the crisis, hinted at a policy rethink in the administration.
Bengal polls: BJP names candidates for 4 seats for 3rd phase
The BJP on Wednesday released the names of four candidates for the third phase of West Bengal assembly elections, with actor Paapia Adhikari finding a place in the list.
The central election committee of the BJP named former Congress leader Anupam Ghosh, who joined the saffron party a couple of years ago, as its candidate for the Jagatballavpur constituency in Howrah.
While Adhikari will contest from the Uluberia Dakshin seat in Howrah district, Chandan Mandal and Bidhan Parui are the saffron party''s choice for Baruipur Purba and Falta respectively in South 24 Parganas district, the BJP said.
Barring these four seats, the party has declared candidates in other constituencies going to polls in the third phase.
Poland declares partial lockdown as virus cases spike
Poland will go into a three-week partial lockdown from Saturday, with people encouraged to stay home and many shops and facilities closed to stem a rising tide of coronavirus cases.
"We ask employers to allow working from home as much as possible," Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told reporters in Warsaw.
Shopping malls, hotels, pools, gyms and schools will be closed until at least April 9.
"We had to react," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters after returning from a visit to France, saying he hoped the new restrictions would "calm the current wave of coronavirus".
"I am confident that this fight, which we are supporting through the vaccination programme, will ultimately prove successful," he said.
Grant given to cow shelters for June quarter of 2020-21: Rajasthan minister
Gaupalan Minister Pramod Bhaya said on Wednesday that the cow shelters of all the districts, except Jaisalmer, had been fully paid of the grant amount for the first quarter of the current financial year.
Mr Bhaya said funds had also been transferred to Jaisalmer district, but the disbursement work was pending due to some formalities. He said Rs 274.25 crore had been given as cow shelter grant in 2020-21.
The minister was responding to the supplementary questions asked in this regard by the MLAs during the question hour. Mr Bhaya said that the government was working for the conservation and promotion of cows. He said instead of doing politics over cows, the state government was working for protection of their progeny.
Night curfew in Sikkim from Wednesday to check COVID-19
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday announced that night curfew will be imposed in the state from tonight in the wake of a spurt in COVID-19 cases.
In addition to the night curfew to be imposed after 10 pm, it has been decided to close restaurants, bars, discos, pubs and gyms at 10 pm throughout the state, Mr Tamang said in a social media post.
Vehicles too will be barred from plying in the state after 10.30 pm, Mr Tamang said.
The chief minister also appealed to the people of Sikkim to regularly ear masks and continue to follow social distancing norms as per COVID-19 protocol. He issued the instructions in the social media soon after attending the video conference Of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the chief ministers to review the situation arising out of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.
Resident doctors of Hindu Rao hospital to be on mass casual leave on Thursday: RDA
Resident doctors at the civic-run Hindu Rao Hospital have decided to go on a mass casual leave on Thursday to press for release of their pending salaries, their association said.
In a statement issued late night on Wednesday, the RDA threatened that its members will go on a complete indefinite strike, if the demands are not met. Their demands include release of all pending salaries from December 2020, along with previous year's arrears, immediately, the RDA said in a letter dated March 17, written to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation's commissioner.
Maharashtra's Thane city sees 493 cases, civic chief warns violators
Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, Thane civic commissioner Vipin Sharma on Wednesday warned that people and establishments flouting outbreak norms would be dealt with strictly. The city saw 493 COVID-19 cases and two deaths on Wednesday, taking the tally to 66,711 and toll to 1,416, an official said.
7 new COVID-19 cases in Noida, tally 25,693
Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar recorded seven new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday that pushed the district's tally to 25,693, official data showed.
The active cases in the district reached 76 from 78 the previous day, according to the data released by the Uttar Pradesh Health Department for a 24-hour period.
Another nine patients got discharged during the period with the overall recoveries reaching 25,526, the fifth highest in the state, it showed.
Gautam Buddh Nagar has a death toll of 91 with a mortality rate of 0.35 per cent. The recovery rate of patients reached at 99.35 per cent, the statistics showed.
Section 144 Imposed In Ghaziabad Till May 10 Amid Covid
Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey has issued orders under section 144 criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to prevent gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in view of the festivals ahead this month.
The orders were issued also keeping in view various "protests, andolans" and various examinations ahead, and keeping in mind the protection of people from coronavirus and control over the pandemic, as per the order.
Section 144 of the CrPC will be imposed in Ghaziabad till May 10, as per the order.
India Doing Its Best To Provide Covid Vaccines, Say Ambassadors Of Paraguay, Costa Rica
Ambassadors of Paraguay and Costa Rica have praised India's initiative to supply vaccines to other countries as part of efforts to fight the COVID-19 crisis and said they were looking forward to getting India-made vaccines.
They said India's efforts show its solidarity with the world in the fight against coronavirus.
The ambassadors also expressed their keenness on getting supply of Covaxin, the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR.
Congress Announces 2 More Candidates For Bengal Polls
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) announced the names of two more candidates on Wednesday for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls.
Congress leaders Abdur Rezzak Mollah and Avjit Narjinary will contest from Falta and Kalchini assembly seats respectively.
On Sunday, the Congress Party released a list of 34 candidates for the forthcoming West Bengal assembly elections.
Among the key names mentioned in the list include Abdul Mannan, Shiladitya Haldar, Amitabha Chakraborty and Alok Ranjan Banerjee.
2 Lok Sabha MPs Demand Free Covid Vaccines For Poor
Two Lok Sabha members said on Wednesday that the coronavirus vaccine should be given free of cost to the poor and working-class people on demand.
The demands were raised by MPs from the DMK and the NCP during a discussion on the demands for grants of the Health Ministry.
DMK's DNV Senthilkumar S said for a country like India where many people are poor and below the poverty line, the vaccination should be made free for all citizens.
At least, it should be given free to the poor, Mr Senthilkumar added.
He urged the government to consider budgetary allocation for research on AYUSH drugs.
According to the DMK MP, all evidences about AYUSH drugs should be documented and there should be proper clinical trials also.
Nagpur Sees Single-Day Spike Of 3,370 New Covid Cases
With a single-day spike of 3,370 coronavirus cases, the count of infections in Maharashtra's Nagpur district reached 1,78,756 on Wednesday, a district official said.
At least 16 patients died, while 1,216 were discharged from hospitals during the day, the official said.
Of the 4,505 casualties reported so far, 2,894 were from Nagpur city and 1,611 were from rural areas and outside the district, he said.
The total number of recoveries in the district has reached 1,53,133, the official said, adding that the region is now left with 21,118 active cases.
WHO recommends AstraZeneca Covid vaccinations continue 'at this time'
Hariharan Receives Covid Vaccine, Urges Others To Get Vaccinated
Popular singer Hariharan on Wednesday announced that he has received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
Taking to Instagram, the 65-year-old singer shared a picture of himself at a vaccination centre and thanked the government and healthcare staff for their support.
"Finally got my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and I feel great! Kudos to the doctors and scientists who have worked meticulously to strengthen our front in the fight against the pandemic," he captioned the post.
The two-time National Award winner urged those who are eligible to also get vaccinated.
"I urge all those eligible to get the vaccine as soon as possible and join the fight! #beatcovid19," he wrote.
Mega Covid Vaccination Drives To Be Held 2 Days A Week: Haryana Chief Minister
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday informed that mega vaccination drives will be held two days a week in the state.
"Mega vaccination drives to be held two days a week in the state; 7.50 lakh people have been vaccinated till now," Mr Khattar said during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with chief ministers of various states on the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
During the course of the meeting, the chief ministers, as per an official release, praised the leadership of the Prime Minister in the fight against COVID-19. They thanked the Prime Minister for the smooth implementation of the vaccination drive all across the country, while also giving their inputs and suggestions to further expand the vaccination coverage.
Union Minister, Sena MP's Vaccine Blame Game Amid Maharashtra Covid Spike
The government's push to export coronavirus vaccines worldwide was today questioned by Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi in a tweet as she asked: "Shouldn't Indians have equal access for vaccines manufactured in India?". Shortly after, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, responding to her tweet, pointed out the "poor administration of vaccines" in Maharashtra, which has logged over 23.4 lakh of India's 1.14 crore cases since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
India aims to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people by July. So far, 3.5 crore doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered.
The Twitter exchange - between Mr Javadekar and Ms Chaturvedi - took place a little before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chief Ministers amid fresh spike in Covid cases. India recorded 29,000 fresh coronavirus infections - highest daily spike in three months - the government data this morning showed. Maharashtra alone accounts for 61.8 per cent of new cases with 17,864 infections.
''BJP Wanted Me To Keep Indoors Before Polls,'' Says Mamata Banerjee
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the opposition BJP wanted her to keep indoors ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, which apparently resulted in her injury.
Addressing a public meeting in Gopiballavpur in the Jhargram district, Mamata Banerjee alleged that earlier it was CPI(M) which used to physically attack her, and now the BJP was doing the same.
"They (BJP) wanted to keep me indoors so that I cannot go out during the elections. They have injured my leg," Mamata Banerjee said, addressing the election rally sitting on a wheelchair.
"Need To Stop Emerging 'Second Peak' Of Covid," PM Tells Chief Ministers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it was critical to stop what he called the "emerging second peak" of Covid with decisive steps including micro-containment zones, increased testing and enforcement of restrictions like masks, at a meeting with Chief Ministers amid a worrying spike in Covid cases in some states.
"If we don't stop this pandemic right now, then there could be a nationwide outbreak. We have to immediately stop the emerging second peak and take big and decisive steps," PM Modi told the Chief Ministers.
"The self-confidence that we gained in our corona fight should not turn into overconfidence. Our success should not be the reason for carelessness," he warned.
He stressed that initiatives needed to be taken without creating a state of panic among people.
Speaking on the districts that had seen a surge in the past few days, the PM said it was worth considering that these were also the zones where testing and vaccination was comparatively less.
Breaking: Air Force Pilot Killed In MiG-21 Bison Accident During Training MissionAn Air Force Group Captain died in an accident involving a MiG-21 Bison aircraft this morning, the Air Force said in a statement today.
The accident took place when the aircraft was taking off for a combat training mission. The Air Force statement did not disclose the location of the airbase.
Mumbai's Haji Ali, Mahim Dargahs Closed For Devotees Due To CoronavirusNo entry will be allowed to devotees at the landmark Haji Ali Dargah (shrine) as well as the popular Mahim Dargah in Mumbai in view of the coronavirus epidemic, it was announced on Thursday.
The decision to stop entry at the two shrines till further notice was taken following the Maharashtra government's advice to avoid crowding in public places, said Suhail Khandwani, Managing Trustee of Mahim Dargah and a Trustee of the Haji Ali Dargah.
Both these shrines attract lakhs of devotees, Muslim as well as non-Muslim, every year.
"We were discussing the issue with various authorities for the past few day. The decision was necessary in the interest of the city," Mr Khandwani told PTI.
China To Issue Visas To Foreigners Who Have Taken Chinese-Made Covid Jab
China is poised to ease border restrictions to allow some foreigners -- including from the US, India and Australia -- back in, provided they have taken a Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccine.
The country has been closed to most foreigners since last March to stem the spread of the coronavirus, which it has largely brought under control at home, leaving many with jobs and family inside China stranded overseas.
But Chinese embassies in several countries have issued notices saying the country will open visa applications to select people who have taken a China-made jab.
PM To Meet Chief Ministers Today As Fresh Covid Surge Sparks Worry
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with Chief Ministers today amid a worrying spike in Covid cases in some states and the centre's attempts to ramp up the vaccination drive.
PM Modi will speak to the Chief Ministers via video conference, as he has done frequently since the coronavirus outbreak a year ago.
This morning, India recorded 28,903 fresh COVID-19 cases since yesterday, the highest daily rise since December 11 (30,254), with the total tally at 1.14 crore cases and 1,59,044 deaths. 188 deaths have been reported, the most in a day since January 15 (191).
In the last 24 hours, the most cases have been reported from Maharashtra (17,864), Kerala (1,970), Punjab (1,463), Karanataka (1,135) and Gujarat (954).
28,903 New Cases, Total Crosses 1.14 Crore
India on Tuesday recorded 28,903 new cases, with the total tally crossing 1.14 crore mark, government data said. The number of cases recorded were 18 per cent higher than yesterday.
Complete Lockdown Not Necessary: Pune Mayor
Pune's Mayor Muralidhar Mohol on Tuesday said there was no plan to impose a complete COVID-19 lockdown in the city. However, the Mayor said they have increased screening and testing to contain the fresh surge.
Speaking to ANI Mohol said, "We have made micro containment zones, increased screening and testing. I don't think imposing a complete lockdown is necessary right now."
Trump Encourages His Supporters To End Vaccine Resistance, Says, "Its Safe"
Former president Donald Trump on Tuesday encouraged his Republican supporters -- one of the main groups resistant to Covid-19 vaccines -- to get their shots. "I would recommend it," Trump said during an interview on Fox News.
"I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly," he said.
"It's a great vaccine, it's a safe vaccine and it's something that works."
This was Trump's most explicit endorsement for the national mass vaccination campaign since he left office in January.
Haryana's financial position better than Punjab, Rajasthan: Manohar Lal Khattar
Making a comparison with Congress-ruled Punjab and Rajasthan, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday claimed that the financial position of Haryana was far better than the neighbouring states.
Responding to a debate on the state Budget in the Assembly, Mr Khattar said though the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted revenue collections yet his government met the committed liabilities like payment of salaries, pension and interest.
Mr Khattar said the focus of the state Budget was on farming and irrigation and asserted that the proposals will be implemented without any discrimination. The Haryana CM dedicated the state Budget to farmers.
Sharing data related to the fiscal parameters, Mr Khattar said the state's debt as percentage of gross state domestic product (GSDP) was 20.25 per cent for the year 2020-21 in comparison to 41.69 per cent of Punjab and 42.70 per cent of Rajasthan.
Over 38,000 Vaccinated In Delhi On TuesdayOver 38,000 beneficiaries, including 19,007 senior citizens, received Covid vaccine shots in the national capital on Tuesday, according to official data, reported news agency PTI.
The number of beneficiaries to get the jabs includes 3,223 people in the age group of 45-59 years, a senior official said.
On Friday, 30,575 people were vaccinated in the city, on Saturday, the count was 39,853, and on Monday, it was 39,742, data released by the health department showed.
On Tuesday, 38,437 people received COVID-19 vaccine shots, the official said.
Karnataka Waqf Board circular says no loudspeakers in mosques, dargahs from 10 pm to 6 amIn an order with far-reaching implications, the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf has issued a circular to all the mosques and dargahs (mausoleums) in the state not to use loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am, saying the ambient noise level around these structures has "deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well-being of people".
In the circular dated March 9, the board said, "The loudspeakers shall not be used at night time, which shall mean from 10 pm to 6 am."
Further underlining the "silence zones", the circular said any violation will be liable for penalty.
"The areas comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions and courts are declared as silence zones.
"Whoever uses sound amplifier or burst sound-emitting firecrackers, uses a loudspeaker or public address system in a silence zone is liable for penalty under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act-1986," the circular read.
COVID-19: Night curfew to be imposed in 4 major cities of Gujarat till March 31To contain the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Gujarat government on Tuesday decided to implement a night curfew in "four metros" Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot.
"The four cities will be observing night curfew between 10 pm and 6 am starting March 17. This will continue till March 31," a statement issued by the state government read.
"The pre-night curfew system will be maintained in these four metros till 16 March from 12 am to 6 am," it said.
First patient with South Africa variant of COVID-19 confirmed in DelhiA 33-year-old man, currently admitted at LNJP Hospital here, has become the first confirmed case of COVID-19 caused by the South Africa variant of the novel coronavirus in Delhi, sources said on Tuesday.
He was brought to the hospital about a week ago, and has been kept isolated in a separate unit, a source said.
The LNJP Hospital had earlier also admitted people who had been found positive for UK strain of COVID-19, and after their treatment about two such patients had remained till February end, a senior doctor had earlier said.