Latest News Live Updates: The recovery rate is 92.67 per cent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need for creating micro-containment zones and extensive testing as a means to combat the second wave of Coronavirus, which pushed up the daily surge figures to 1.26 lakh in 24 hours. The state governments, he said, should not cut corners when it comes to this, he said.
"Our emphasis should be on micro-containment zone, we have to keep the maximum focus on it," he said at a meeting of Chief Ministers called this evening to review the Covid situation in the country. This morning, the country logged its highest ever 24-hour surge figure of 1.26 lakh.
"The world has also accepted the night curfew. Curfew makes people remember that they are living in the age of Corona. It is good that we promote Night Curfew as 'Corona Curfew'. This will not affect work too much," the Prime Minister said.
Setting a target of 70 per cent RT-PCR tests for the states, PM Modi said this is the only way to identify and fight the virus.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates:
Pune's Municipal Corporation Halts Vaccination Drive Due To No Doses Available
Pune's Municipal Corporation has temporarily halted its vaccination drive for today as there is no stock of vaccines available with the corporation.
In an official order by the corporation on Thursday, it read, "COVID-19 vaccination to remain suspended in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on April 9 as there is no stock of vaccines is available with the corporation. The process to get the vaccine stock is underway and vaccination shall resume as soon as vaccines are received."
Meanwhile, with 1,26,789 new cases in the last 24 hours, India''s active caseload reached 9,10,319 on Thursday.
Centre sanctions over Rs 250 Crore To north eastern states to deal with COVID-19
The Centre has sanctioned over Rs 250 crore to the northeastern states for an effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday.
Chairing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Mr Singh said the fund has greatly helped in developing infrastructure for the management of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
A total amount of over Rs 250 crore was sanctioned by the Ministry of DoNER for augmenting healthcare facilities in the eight northeastern states for an effective management of COVID-19, an official statement quoted the minister as saying.
India, Maldives call for strengthening global cooperation to combat terror
India and the Maldives on Thursday strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, and emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat the menace in a comprehensive and sustained manner.
The two countries also underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks on others, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks.
The assertion was made by the two countries at their first meeting here of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-Radicalisation.
Left Question Poll Body's Impartiality In Bengal Polls
The CPI(M)'s West Bengal secretary Surya Kanta Mishra on Thursday questioned the Election Commission's impartiality and claimed that the Trinamool Congress and the BJP may join hands if both the parties fall short of requisite numbers to form the government.
Mr Mishra alleged at a press conference that despite the Sanjukta Morcha of the Left parties, Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) lodging several complaints of electoral malpractices with the EC, none of them was addressed as the poll panel is only interested in "pleasing the TMC and the BJP".
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal takes first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday took the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After receiving his first jab, the chief minister told waiting journalists, all the eligible people in the state should get themselves vaccinated as it will help defeat the pandemic.
No Lockdown, Night Curfew In Assam: Minister
Assam's Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday ruled out the possibility of night curfew or a lockdown in the state and urged people to stay alert as there is a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
"There is no possibility of lockdown or night curfew in Assam. I request everyone to get themselves tested if they have symptoms. There is no need to panic but we should remain alert," the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said.
Focus On Micro-Containment Zones, "Covid Curfews": PM To Chief Ministers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need for creating micro-containment zones and extensive testing as a means to combat the second wave of Coronavirus, which pushed up the daily surge figures to 1.26 lakh in 24 hours. The state governments, he said, should not cut corners when it comes to this, he said.
"Our emphasis should be on micro-containment zone, we have to keep the maximum focus on it," he said at a meeting of Chief Ministers called this evening to review the Covid situation in the country. This morning, the country logged its highest ever 24-hour surge figure of 1.26 lakh.
"The world has also accepted the night curfew. Curfew makes people remember that they are living in the age of Corona. It is good that we promote Night Curfew as 'Corona Curfew'. This will not affect work too much," the Prime Minister said.
Harsh Vardhan to chair ministers' meet on Friday
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will chair the 24th meeting of the High-level Group of Ministers (GoM) to discuss the current national and international scenario of coronavirus pandemic and strategies that are to be adopted for availability and distribution of vaccines in the coming days.
The meeting will take place at 10:30 am at Nirman Bhawan. The matters to be discussed are important in view of the recent developments in the country.
After Biplab Deb, Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Also Tests Covid+After Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, his deputy, Jishnu Debbarma has also tested positive in Tripura this afternoon.
The deputy Chief Minister was in home isolation.
Jishnu Debbarma wrote in his Facebook post, "Today I have tested positive for Covid-19 and have taken home quarantine. Let's all keep safe and be safe."
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had on Wednesday morning informed through social media platforms that he had tested positive for the virus.
Over 50 Lakh Vaccinated In Karnataka, Bengaluru Sees Positive Response
Karnataka has so far given over 50 lakh Covid vaccinations - including both first and second doses, as per the data shared by state Health Minister K Sudhakar. The state is the 6th highest when it comes to vaccination numbers. With the second wave having well and truly hit the state, the state knows it needs to get those eligible to take the jab - and the government insists there is enough vaccine to go around.
At the private Santhosh Hospital in Bengaluru, Sharif, a businessman had taken time out to get his vaccination against Covid-19.
He told NDTV, "I think each and every person should take this medicine and have good health."
Setback For Ex-Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh, CBI Probe To Go On
An independent probe is warranted in the matter of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's corruption allegations against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh since both occupied such high positions in the government, the Supreme Court today said. It refused to interfere with a Bombay High Court order directing a CBI investigation into the charges, observing that the two persons involved were working closely until they fall apart.
From Today, Night Curfew In Noida From 10 pm To 5 am Till April 17
Uttar Pradesh's Noida, neighbouring Delhi, announced a night curfew on Thursday, from 10 pm to 5 am till April 17, joining a slew of states and major cities that have announced new curbs to control an alarming surge in coronavirus cases.
Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar, the district that includes Noida, recorded 125 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking its tally to 26,697, according to official data. The curfew comes two days after Delhi, reporting thousands of new infections each day, ordered the same curbs till the end of the month.
India reported a record 1,26,789 COVID-19 cases on Thursday as several states struggle to contain a second wave of infections, complaining of vaccine shortages and demanding inoculations be expanded to younger people.
Covid Patient's Family Told Just Hours Left For Oxygen Supply To EndThe family of a Covid patient on ventilator at a hospital in Nashik was asked to move her to another hospital as there is only enough oxygen supply for a few more hours. This is the latest example of a massive crisis in Maharashtra, the virus epicenter of India, where cases have been climbing over the past few weeks.
Archana Vyavhare said her mother had been in hospital for 17 days and had been moved to a non-Covid ward yesterday. But her health worsened and this morning, the family received a frightening call.
"They said they were running out of oxygen and they only had enough left till evening, so we had to shift my mother to any other hospital at the earliest," Archana told NDTV.
But multiple hospitals refused to take in a new patient, telling the family that they wanted to preserve their oxygen supplies for those already admitted.
Read JustIn| Night curfew in Noida from 10 pm to 5 am till April 17 amid rising Covid cases
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Ten states showing upward trajectory of daily new COVID-19 casesTen states including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala and Punjab have shown a steep rise in the daily COVID-19 cases accounting for 84.21 per cent of the 1,26,789 new infections, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The national weekly COVID-19 positivity rate has increased by 6.21 per cent from 2.19 to 8.40 per cent in the first seven days of March and April, the ministry said.
India registered a record single-day spike of 1,26,789 new coronavirus infections pushing the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,29,28,574, according to the ministry data updated on Thursday morning.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 59,907. It is followed by Chhattisgarh with 10,310 while Karnataka reported 6,976 new cases.
India's total active caseload has increased to 9,10,319 and now comprises 7.04 per cent of the country's total infections.
A net incline of 66,846 cases recorded in the total active caseload in a span of 24 hours.
"Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala cumulatively account for 74.13 per cent of India's total active cases. Maharashtra alone accounts for 55.26 per cent of the total active cases of the country," the ministry said.
COVID-19: India leads globally with average of more than 34 lakh doses given per day
With an average of 34,30,502 anti-coronavirus doses being given per day, India has topped globally in terms of the number of jabs administered daily, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.
Cumulatively, 9,01,98,673 vaccine doses have been given so far through 13,77,304 sessions, according to a provisional report till 7 am.
These include 89,68,151 healthcare workers (HCWs) and 97,67,538 frontline workers (FLWs) who have taken the first dose and 54,18,084 HCWs and 44,11,609 FLWs who have taken the second dose.
Besides, 3,63,32,851 and 11,39,291 beneficiaries above 60 years have been administered the first and second dose respectively.
According to the ministry's data, 2,36,94,487 and 4,66,662 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years have been given the first and second dose respectively.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani took his second dose of COVAXIN today.
He took his first dose on March 9.
JustIn| Lockdown from 6 pm tomorrow to 6 am on Monday in all urban areas of Madhya Pradesh amid rising Covid cases
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took his second dose of COVID-19 vaccine today.
He took the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on March 11.
Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar took the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on today.
Arunachal reports 8 more COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 16,861
Arunachal Pradesh reported eight fresh COVID-19 cases, raising the tally to 16,861, a health department official said on Thursday.
The northeastern state now has 17 active cases, while 16,788 people have recovered from the disease so far, State Surveillance Officer Lobsang Jampa said.
The contagion has claimed 56 lives in Arunachal Pradesh.
Mizoram logs 14 fresh COVID-19 cases
Mizoram reported 14 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest spike in nearly three months, pushing the tally to 4,522, a health department official said on Thursday.
The northeastern state had reported 17 infections on January 10 and 141 cases on September 10 last year, its highest ever.
Mizoram now has 60 active cases, while 4,451 people have recovered from the disease, he said.
A total of 11 people have died due to the contagion.
The state has so far tested 2,58,555 samples, including 1,374 on Wednesday.
Telangana reports 2,055 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths push number to 1,741
COVID-19 cases in Telangana breached the 2,000-markwith 2,055 fresh infections pushing the tally to over 3.18 lakh, while thetoll rose to 1,741 with seven more fatalities.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 398, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (214) and Rangareddy (174), a government bulletin said on Thursday, providing details as of 8 PM on April 7.
The total number of cases stood at3,18,704 while with 303 patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3,03,601.
The state has 13,362 active cases and87,332 samples were tested on Wednesday.
Cumulatively, over 1.06 crore samples have been tested.
JustIn| 1,26,789 fresh COVID-19 cases in India in new one-day record; 1.29 crore total cases, 1,66,862 deaths
6,290 new COVID-19 cases in Thane, 21 more deaths
With the addition of6,290 new cases of COVID-19, the infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has reached 3,56,267, an official said on Thursday.
These new cases were reported on Wednesday, he said.
The virus also claimed the lives of 21 more people, pushing the death toll in the district to 6,620.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane is 1.86 per cent.
So far, 3,02,521 patients have recuperated from the infection in the district, which reflects a recovery rate of 84.91 per cent, the official said.
As of now, there are 47,126 active COVID-19 cases in the district, he added.
New Zealand PM Suspends Entry Of Travellers From India Amid Covid SurgeNew Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday temporarily suspended entry for all travellers from India, including its own citizens, following a high number of positive coronavirus cases arriving from that country.
The suspension will start from 1600 local time on April 11 and will be in place until April 28, Ardern said in a news conference. During this time the government will look at risk management measures to resume travel.
COVID-19: Night curfew in Prayagraj
Amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, a night curfew has been imposed from 10 pm to 8 am in the district from Thursday till further notice.
The District Magistrate informed that essential services will be exempted from the curfew.
In view of rising cases of COVID-19, a night curfew has also been imposed in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi with effect from Thursday night.
Uttar Pradesh has reported 4,689 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday taking the total number of active cases in the state to 27,509. The death toll in Uttar Pradesh stands at 8,924 with 30 deaths on Wednesday.
Update| 14 new COVID-19 cases reported in Mizoram in the last 24 hours; case tally at 4,522, active cases at 14.
Update| More than 9 crore COVID19 vaccine doses administered, till now: Ministry of Health
During COVID-19 pandemic, India's debt to GDP ratio increased from 74 per cent to 90 per cent: IMF
India's debt to GDP ratio increased from 74 per cent to 90 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund has said, noting that it expects this to drop down to 80 per cent as a result of the country's economic recovery.
Paolo Mauro, Deputy Director, IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department told reporters at a news conference here on Wednesday, "In the case of India, the debt ratio at the end of 2019, prior to the pandemic, was 74 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and at the end of 2020, it is almost 90 per cent of GDP. So, that's a very large increase, but it is something that other emerging markets and advanced economies have experienced as well."
"And, for the case of India going forward, in our baseline forecast, we expect that the debt ratio will gradually come down as the economy recovers. In our baseline forecast under the assumption of healthy economic growth in the medium term, we see debt returning to about 80 per cent over time," Mauro said.
JustIn| PM Modi gets second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS; "If you are eligible for the vaccine, get your shot soon," he says.
Maharashtra's Satara Stops Vaccination, 3 Days' Supply Left In StateVaccination was stopped in Maharashtra's Satara - late Wednesday night - after district authorities ran out of doses, according to Vinay Gouda, the Chief Executive Officer of the Satara Zilla Parishad.
So far around 2.6 lakh people over the age of 45 in Satara have received at least one dose each.
This comes hours after state Health Minister Rajesh Tope flagged the issue of fast-depleting stocks across the state - he said this would happen within three days - and asked the centre for help.
Mumbai Reports 10,428 Covid Cases, 23 Deaths In A Day
Mumbai 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.
Odisha reports 791 new COVID-19 cases, inoculation drive halted in many centres due to shortage of vaccine
Odisha'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.