The death count increased to 1,66,177 with 630 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of new coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high since the outbreak of the pandemic with over 1.15 lakh new infections being reported in a span of 24 hours, pushing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,28,01,785, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The single-day rise in coronavirus cases breached the 1-lakh mark for the second time in three days.
A total of 1,15,736 infections were reported in a day, while the death count increased to 1,66,177 with 630 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Registering a steady increase for the 28th day in row, the active cases have increased to 8,43,473 comprising 6.59 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 92.11 per cent, the data stated.
The active caseload was at its lowest at 1, 35,926 on February 12 comprising 1.25 per cent of the total infections.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,17,92,135, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.30 per cent, the data stated.
Meanwhile, vaccinations will not be opened to all ages any time soon, the government said today, stressing on the need to cover the most vulnerable groups amid a surge in Covid cases.
Maharashtra reported over 55,000 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours in a persistent rise in cases that has left the government worried about the situation.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope spoke with his counterpart in the centre, Harsh Vardhan, and requested him to let neighbouring states send oxygen cylinders to Maharashtra, where more and more hospitals have reported shortage of oxygen cylinders needed to care for critical patients.
A weekend lockdown in Maharashtra is already in effect amid the unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.
Here are the Highlights:
Odisha reports 791 new COVID-19 cases, inoculation drive halted in many centres due to shortage of vaccineOdisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,44,647 on Wednesday as it reported 791 new cases, the highest spike this year, even as the state government halted inoculation drive in 700 centres due to shortage of vaccines and moved the Centre seeking immediate supply of 25 lakh Covishield doses.
The COVID-19 death count climbed to 1,923 as one more person succumbed to the disease in Puri district, an official said.
"Due to shortage of vaccine, we have to close nearly 700 vaccination centres in the state (out of over 1400 functional sites). Only 755 could be made active today," Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das said in a letter to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan.
Set Up Panel To Monitor Covid Situation In Nagpur: Bombay High CourtTaking note of the surge in COVID-19 cases and the stress faced by the authorities, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court today ordered that a COVID-19 committee should be set up to tackle the issues in the district.
A division bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and Avinash Gharote was hearing a public interest litigation taken up suo moto (on its own) in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic in India.
The bench noted that coronavirus has once raised its head and perhaps in its ugliest form ever.
"We are witnessing thousands of persons testing positive for COVID-19 not only in Nagpur, but also in other cities of Maharashtra and the whole health machinery is under tremendous stress," the court said.
Mumbai Reports 10,428 Covid Cases, 23 Deaths In A DayMumbai has logged 10,428 coronavirus cases and 23 deaths in a day amid a massive Covid surge in Maharashtra. The city had reported 10,030 cases and 31 deaths yesterday.
6,007 people were discharged in the last 24 hours, Mumbai's municipal body said in a statement.
51,263 people were tested for the virus in a day.
As of now, the city's recovery rate stands at 80 per cent and its doubling rate is 35 days.
The city has reported over 10,000 daily cases on several days this month. Its highest single day spike was recorded on Sunday with 11,163 cases.
UK To Offer AstraZeneca Alternative To Under-30s Over Blood Clot ConcernsA government committee in the UK advising on coronavirus vaccinations has said people under the age of 30 should be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine, after 19 people died in the country from rare blood clots after receiving the jab. Altogether, 79 such cases have been reported in the country.
"Adults who are aged 18 to 29 years old who do not have an underlying health condition... should be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine in preference to the AstraZeneca vaccine, where such an alternative vaccine is available," Wei Shen Lim of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said at a press conference.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute under the name of "Covishield". It is one of the two vaccines approved by India's drug regulator in January this year.
High Court Seeks Centre's Response Over Door-To-Door Vaccine For ElderlyThe Bombay High Court today sought a response from the Union government on a petition requesting that door-to-door vaccination facility be made available for the citizens above 75 years and also for those people who cannot visit inoculation centres because they are either bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni also asked the Union government if the procedure laid down for registration for vaccination can be made more user friendly.
The high court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocates Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari seeking a direction to the Centre and the Maharashtra government to provide door-to-door vaccination facility for senior citizens above the age of 75, for specially-abled persons, and also for those persons who are bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound.
Centre To Collect Data On Those Testing Covid Positive After VaccinationThe Central government will now onwards collect data on those testing Covid positive even after getting vaccinated. The move follows reports of such instances coming from several parts of the country. It also comes amid a major resurgence in infections: India recorded over 1.15 lakh new cases in the past 24 hours for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020.
The sample reference form issued by the government will, henceforth, carry columns related to those who have already been vaccinated, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed.
Some Spreading Panic: Health Minister After Maharashtra Vaccine Stocks SOSAfter Maharashtra's SOS on vaccines, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today slammed what he called "deplorable attempts by some state governments to distract attention from their failures and spread panic among the people".
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said this morning that the state may run out of Covid vaccines in three days and he had asked the centre to send more stocks soonest.
Harsh Vardhan said he had seen "irresponsible statements" made by state government functionaries that had the potential to "mislead the public and spread panic". He said in his statement that he wanted to set the record straight.
Chhattisgarh: Lockdown In Raipur District From April 9 To 19In view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday announced a lockdown in Raipur district with effect from April 9 to 19, an official said.
Raipur Collector S Bharathi Dasan has issued the order declaring the entire area of the district, including the state capital, as a containment zone and restricted several activities from 6 pm on April 9 till 6 am on April 19.
Because of the steady rise in COVID-19 cases, it has become necessary to impose stricter restrictions on the movement of people and other activities to contain the spread of infection, the collector said in a press conference.
Accordingly, during the lockdown period, the border of the district will be completely sealed and all shops, including those selling liquor, and commercial establishments will remain closed except medical stores.
Offices of Central government, state government, semi-government, as well as private offices and banks will remain closed while those related to telecom, railway and airports will be allowed to function, the order said.
All religious, cultural and tourism spots will remain shut and all kinds of public meetings, social, religious and political programmes will be banned during this period, it said.
Covid Surge Hit Children Hard, 79,688 Infected In 5 States Since MarchThe second wave of Covid, is in which the numbers are skyrocketing, is hitting younger people and children - unlike the first round when the elderly, and those with co-morbidities were seen to the most vulnerable sections. Data from the Union health ministry shows 79,688 children have been infected in the five states affected worst by the virus.
Currently there is no vaccine for children. A testing of AstraZeneca vaccine of children in the UK has been suspended over reports of the vaccine being linked to blood clotting, which has led to seven deaths in the European nation.
In Maharashtra, 60,684 children have been infected with Covid between 1 March and 4 April. Of these children, 9,882 are under the age of five years.
In Chhattisgarh, 5,940 children have been infected by the disease - 922 of them are below the age of five. In Karnataka, the corresponding figures are 7,327 and 871. In Uttar Pradesh, 3,004 children have been infected and 471 among them are below the age of five.
New Covid Strain Could Be Infecting People Faster In Maharashtra: MinisterA new Covid strain could be infecting people faster in Maharashtra, the state's Health Minister said today on the huge spike in cases alongside concerns over depleting vaccine stocks. He said samples were being tested to verify the theory.
"We suspect that there is a new strain that is affecting people in a shorter duration of time," Minister Rajesh Tope told reporters.
"Samples have been sent to the National Centre for Disease Control to ascertain this," he added.
In a recent interview to NDTV, Shashank Joshi, a member of the COVID-19 task force in Maharashtra, had said a "different strain" was responsible for the rapid rise in cases in the state.
Night Curfew In Delhi Because People Having Parties, Gatherings: MinisterDelhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said night curfew was imposed in the national capital following reports that parties and social gatherings were being organised in various parts of the city at a time when COVID-19 cases have surged.
Interacting with reporters, he also feared that if the positivity rate escalated and safety norms were not followed by people, the new cases could breach the last single-day spike record registered in November last year.
However, he added that it will be too early to speculate on that as of now, and government efforts are to contain the incidences as effectively as possible.
Mr Jain's remarks on the pandemic situation came a day after the Delhi government imposed a night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in view of rising COVID-19 cases.
Bengaluru Bans Use Of Swimming Pools, Gyms In Residential Complexes As Covid Cases RiseThe Bengaluru police today banned the use of swimming pools, gyms, party halls, and other such amenities in residential complexes within the city limits amid a worrying rise in cases of infection in the past few weeks.
"In the wake of increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru, the Chief Secretary and Chairman, State Executive Committee, Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority...has imposed certain reasonable restrictions for public safety and health," the Karnataka police department said in a notice issued today.
The city has seen the maximum number of new cases in Karnataka, a state hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. By the end of March, it was being reported that of the nearly 2,000 new cases being reported that month, up to 50 were children under the age of 10 years. Amid this rise, beds set aside for Covid patients have been fast filling up in many hospitals.
Ukraine Virus Deaths, Hospitalisations Hit New RecordUkraine on Wednesday registered another record number of coronavirus deaths and hospitalisations, with officials warning the situation is "critical".
The government on Wednesday reported 481 deaths in the previous day and 5,587 people taken to hospital, both the highest figures recorded since the start of the pandemic.
Coronavirus infections and deaths have been rising steadily in Ukraine for months, as the ex-Soviet country's ageing healthcare system struggles to cope with the contagion.
"It is no exaggeration to describe the situation as critical," the mayor of the capital Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, said at a briefing.
"If we do not stop the rapid spread of the disease in the nearest future, the capital's medical system will not hold," Klitschko said, adding that hospitals would run out of beds "very soon".
Kiev tightened coronavirus restrictions on Monday, closing kindergartens and primary schools and introducing travel restrictions.
Night Curfew In Punjab, Ban On Political Gatherings, Leaders Warned
Punjab, one of the key states where the Covid graph is showing an upward movement, has declared a series of restrictions including night curfew across the whole state -- up from the earlier 12 districts -- from 9 pm to 5 am. The state has also declared a ban on political, social, cultural or sports gatherings. A cap has also been put on attendance at funerals, weddings and cremations. Only 50 people can attend indoor functions, and 100 for outdoors.
Read Here Minimal Mask Use At Protest, AAP Points To PM's Poll Rallies
A protest against the Centre's vaccine policy by Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party today was replete with laxity in terms of Covid-appropriate behaviour. Party workers and supporters were seen without masks, jostling on the road before the BJP office, social distancing norms forgotten despite the ongoing second wave of the infection.
Read Here Punjab Government imposes night curfew from 9pm-5am across the entire State till April 30, also bans political gatherings in the State, reports news agency ANI.
"Ridiculous": Rahul Gandhi On Government's 'Need, Not Want' Vaccine Logic
Every Indian deserves the chance to a safe life, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted today as the government declared that vaccinations will not be available to a wider group anytime soon amid an alarming spike in coronavirus cases across the country.
Read Here Odisha Reports 791 New COVID-19 Cases
Odisha has reported 791 new COVID-19 cases, 266 recoveries and one death in the last 24 hours, according to the State Health Department on Wednesday. With this, the total number of cases now stands at 3,44,647. There are 4,225 active cases while 3,38,416 patients have been cured or recovered. The death toll due to COVID-19 in the state stands at 1,923.
Grim Situation: Top Doctor At Mumbai's KEM Hospital, Among City's Biggest
The situation at the ground level in Mumbai, battling the massive surge in coronavirus cases, is grim, a top doctor at one of the city's largest hospitals, said. The city reported 10,030 cases and 31 deaths in the last 24 hours. This is the highest one-rise in deaths in Mumbai since October.
Read Here 7 New Cases Push COVID-19 Tally Of Andamans To 5,123
The COVID-19 caseload in Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 5,123 as seven more people tested positive for the disease in the Union Territory, a health department official said on Wednesday. The fresh cases were detected during contact tracing, he said.
Maharashtra Vaccine SOS, Stocks Only For 3 Days, Some Centres Had To Shut
Parts of Maharashtra may run out of Covid vaccines in three days and the Centre has been asked for more, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope told NDTV today as cities like Mumbai flagged fast depleting stocks. "Stocks of vaccine in the state remain only for three days. We have requested the centre to send more vaccine. This in the state with the highest number of cases coming everyday. In Mumbai also stocks only remain for three days," Mr Tope said, adding that he had informed Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan of the situation in a video con yesterday.
Read Here JUST IN | Coronavirus: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope says told centre about vaccine shortage, many inoculation centres forced to shut down
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb Tests Positive For COVID-19
Centre To Collect Data On Those Testing Covid Positive After Vaccination
The Central government will now onwards collect data on those testing Covid positive even after getting vaccinated. The move follows reports of such instances coming from several parts of the country. It also comes amid a major resurgence in infections: India recorded over 1.15 lakh new cases in the past 24 hours for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020.
Read Here 2 More Test Positive For COVID-19 In Arunachal, Caseload At 16,853
Two more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, raising the caseload to 16,853, a senior health department official said on Wednesday. The northeastern state now has 11 active cases, while 16,786 people have recovered from the virus, State Surveillance Officer Lobsang Jampa said. The death toll due to the contagion stood at 56. Altogether, 4,15,217 samples have been tested so far, including 259 on Tuesday, Jampa said.
In the last 3 days, more than 2000 beds have been increased in hospitals. I would like to appeal to the public to wear masks and maintain social distancing: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
Mask Must Even If Driving Alone, Car A "Public Place": Delhi High Court
A mask is compulsory even if a person is driving alone in a car, the Delhi High Court said today, terming the car a "public place". The mask is a
"suraksha kavach (safety armour)" for the person wearing it as well as those around, the court said. Judge Pratibha M Singh announced the decision while hearing a case involving fines for not wearing a mask while driving alone.
Read Here Maharashtra: 5,957 New COVID-19 Cases In Thane, 18 More Deaths
Thane has added 5,957 new cases of coronavirus, taking the infection count in the Maharashtra district to 3,49,987, an official said on Wednesday. These new cases were reported on Tuesday, he said. The virus also claimed the lives of 18 more people, raising the death toll in the district rose to 6,599, the official said, adding that the COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane is 1.88 per cent.
Mizoram Logs 8 Fresh COVID-19 Cases, Tally At 4,508
At least eight more people, including two children, tested positive for novel coronavirus in Mizoram, pushing the tally to 4,508, an official said on Wednesday. The northeastern state now has 50 active cases, while 4,447 people have recovered from the disease. A total of 11 people have died due to the contagion so far, he said.
1.15 Lakh Daily Covid Cases In India, Biggest Rise So Far: 10 Points
India recorded over 1.15 lakh new Covid cases in the last 24 hours for first time since the beginning of the pandemic, setting an unprecedented, grim record during the second wave. The government said the next four weeks are "very, very critical".
Read Here
1,15,736 Lakh Coronavirus Cases In India In A Day For The First Time
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,28,01,785 with 1,15,736 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,17,92,135, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death count increased to 1,66,177 with 630 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Over 55,000 Covid Cases In Maharashtra, Hospitals Face Oxygen Shortage
Maharashtra reported over 55,000 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours in a persistent rise in cases that has left the government worried about the situation. State Health Minister Rajesh Tope spoke with his counterpart in the centre, Harsh Vardhan, and requested him to let neighbouring states send oxygen cylinders to Maharashtra, where more and more hospitals have reported a shortage of oxygen cylinders needed to care for critical patients.
Read Here AstraZeneca UK Vaccine Trial On Children Paused As Clot Link Probed
A British trial of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine on children has been paused while regulators assess its possible link to blood clots, Oxford University, which helped develop the jab, said Tuesday. "Whilst there are no safety concerns in the paediatric clinical trial, we await additional information from the MHRA (UK regulator) on its review of rare cases of thrombosis/thrombocytopaenia that have been reported in adults, before giving any further vaccinations in the trial," the university said in a statement.
Jharkhand Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions; No Physical Classes In Schools
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Jharkhand government has tightened its coronavirus restrictions. In an official order by the state government said All shops, restaurants, clubs shall not remain open after 8 pm. However, take-home/ home delivery shall be permitted. Not more than 5 persons shall congregate at public places, it said. All schools shall be closed and education shall be provided online or by digital content. However, offline classes for class 10 and class 12 who shall be taking the board exam in the year 2021 are permitted. These offline classes shall not be mandatory and students shall attend only with a prior consent of their parents.
Karnataka Minister Urges Centre For More COVID-19 Vaccines For State
Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister, Dr K Sudhakar has requested the Centre to provide more Covid-19 vaccines for the state. The Minister on Tuesday, while speaking to media persons after participating in the Union Health Minister's VC with the Health Ministers of 11 states/Union territories, said he had appealed to the Centre to provide more doses of vaccines to Karnataka in order to control the pandemic.
Rishikesh's Bharat Bhoomi Tourist Complex To Be Set Up As COVID-19 Care Centre
India Records Over 1.07 Lakh New COVID-19 Cases In A Day For First Time
India on Tuesday recorded the highest one-day spike of COVID-19 cases at 1.07 lakh even as the Centre cautioned that the next four weeks are "very very critical" and sought people's participation to control the second wave of the pandemic. As the Centre warned that COVID-19 is spreading faster in the country than during the last year, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said it seems that people have given ''Tilanjali'' (abandon) to measures like wearing masks to combat the disease.
Read Here No fresh COVID-19 case in Nagaland, tally at 12,365
Nagaland did not report any fresh COVID-19 case on Tuesday, with its rally remaining unchanged at 12,365, a health official said.
"No +ve case of COVID-19 reported today. 2 +ve patients of COVID-19 have recovered in Dimapur," Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom tweeted.
The caseload includes 11,982 recovered patients and 134 active cases, he said.
Reconsider COVID-19 restrictions: Devendra Fadnavis writes to Maharashtra Chief Minister
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, requesting him to reconsider restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Mr Fadnavis asked the Chief Minister to discuss these matters with all stratum of society again and impose restrictions so that the lives of commoners are not affected.
On April 4, the Maharashtra government announced new guidelines under its "Break the Chain" campaign to curb the spread of novel coronavirus infections to remain in force till April 30.
The state, which has been the major contributor of COVID-19 cases in the past few days, reported over 55,000 new infections in the last 24 hours.
Over 5.5 lakh COVID-19 doses administered on Tuesday
With over 5.5 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses administered till 8 pm on Tuesday, the country's cumulative count of vaccine doses reached over 8.40 crore.
The Health Ministry said that 8,40,65,357 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to provisional data released by the ministry, a total of 5,62,807 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm today, the 81st day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination.
These include 89,60,966 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the 1st dose and 53,77,011 HCWs who have taken the 2nd dose, 97,30,304 frontline workers (FLWs) (1st dose), 42,68,788 FLWs (2nd dose), 2,00,51,197 for over 45 years old to 59 years old (1st dose), 3,96,769 for over 45 years old to 59 years old (2nd dose), 3,44,18,802 for above 60 years (1st dose) and 8,61,520 for above 60 years (2nd dose) .