India saw 68,020 new coronavirus cases in a span of 24 hours, the highest single-day rise so far this year, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to above 1.20 crore, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
Registering a steady increase for the 19th day in a row, the active cases have increased to 5,21,808, which comprise 4.33 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 94.32 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 68,020 new cases were reported in a day, the highest recorded since October 11 last year, taking the country's tally of cases to 1,20,39,644, while the death count increased to 1,61,843 with 291 fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
As many as 74,383 new cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours on October 11.
The active caseload was at its lowest at 1,35,926 on February 12 comprising 1.25 per cent of the total infections.
Meanwhile, Amid a massive surge in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asked officials to prepare a plan to impose a lockdown, saying people were not following safety rules.
The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Mr Thackeray, Health Minister Rajesh Tope, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, doctors of the COVID-19 task force and other officials, an official statement said.
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The total cases of COVID-19 in the state so far has reached 57,712. Total recoveries are 55,455, while the death count is 828.
The active cases in the state are 1,429. The recovery rate in the state is 96.09 per cent, ANI reported.
"Standing with Sahel. Made in India vaccines reach Niger. #VaccineMaitri," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.
The WHO's chief said Monday that all hypotheses on the Covid-19 pandemic's origins remained open and needed further study, based on international experts' report on their mission to Wuhan.
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN health agency had received the report over the weekend, adding that all theories on how the virus entered humans remained on the table.
"All hypotheses are open, from what I read from the report," Tedros told a virtual press conference in Geneva, adding that they "will need further study".
A team of international experts visited Wuhan in China in January and February this year, examining and ranking in their subsequent report four possible pathways by which SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes Covid-19 disease -- might have entered humans before spreading around the world.
A flight carrying a consignment of Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines landed in Fiji on Monday under the ''Vaccine Maitri'' initiative, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed.
"Reaching out to the South Pacific. Made in India vaccines land in Fiji. #VaccineMaitri," Mr Jaishankar said in a tweet.
Under the ''Vaccine Maitri'' initiative, India has been providing coronavirus vaccines to its neighbouring countries. Over 70 countries have already received vaccines under the program.
Former Kerala Chief Minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy on Monday termed the multiple entries of voters in the electoral roll for the upcoming state Assembly polls as a very ''serious matter''.
"The issue raised by Ramesh Chennithala is very serious regarding the election. It was approved by the Election Commission. The court also agreed. Some of the names were brought to the notice of the EC officials. But it is very serious that more than one vote has come in the name of a voter," Mr Chandy told ANI.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the Election Commission to ensure that voters with multiple entries vote only once in the upcoming state Assembly elections. The court gave the interim order on the petition filed by Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, in which he sought restraining of fake and multiple entries of voters' name in the voters' list.
Bengaluru is seeing the maximum number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, a state that has been hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Sunday night's data showed over 2,000 fresh cases in the state capital.
Six people were arrested from separate places in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district for allegedly killing spotted deer in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, forest officials said on Monday.
Assam: Devotees of Lord Krishna took out a procession in Dibrugarh, on the occasion of #Holi today. pic.twitter.com/NBZzHS7O4B
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2021
Punjab: Locals in Amritsar celebrate #Holi. pic.twitter.com/uool8Z5U8x
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2021
Once the container ship blocking the Suez Canal is refloated it will take three and a half days to clear a traffic jam of hundreds of vessels, Egyptian authorities said Monday.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said today that the government denied her a passport over "national security" concerns.
Telangana recorded 403 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 3,06,742, while the death
A quiet Holi was celebrated in many parts of the country as public celebrations in most states have been prohibited amid the recent surge in Covid cases. Roads wore a deserted look and police manned various areas in cities for patrolling and security.
In the midst of nationwide Holi celebrations, Mamata Banerjee - injured earlier this month - held a roadshow in Bengal in high-stakes Nandigram, which votes in the second phase of the state elections.
Odisha has reported 208 new COVID-19 cases and 120 recoveries in the last 24 hours, according to the State Health Department on Tuesday.
Of the new cases, 122 were reported from quarantine centres and 86 detected during contact tracing.
With this, the total number of cases now stands at 3,40,402. There are 1,737 active cases while 3,36,691patients have been cured or recovered.
The state has so far conducted 90,01,450 sample tests for COVID-19.
The huge container ship which has been blocking the Suez Canal for almost a week started to move today, according to maritime traffic tracking sites.
#WATCH | West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee holds a 'padyatra' in Nandigram. pic.twitter.com/eOjiUoVWTm
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2021
Salvage teams freed the Ever Given in the Suez Canal, according to maritime services provider Inchcape, almost a week after the giant vessel ran aground in one of the world's most important trade paths.
Sharad Pawar unwell, check-up shows gall bladder problem, says NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,20,39,644 with 68,020 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries have crossed 1.13 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death count increased to 1,61,843 with 291 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Keeping the rising #COVID19 cases and upcoming festivals in view, @HMOIndia issued safety guidelines for States & UTs
- Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) March 28, 2021
Respective authorities are advised to strictly enforce them.@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/87V0v38vm3
#LargestVaccineDrive#Unite2FightCorona
- Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 29, 2021
Do not be complacent with the health and well-being of your loved ones.
This year, play Holi only at home. Avoid crowded places like parks, gardens and common areas.#HappyHoli2021 pic.twitter.com/oZWKGqi2wT
#WATCH | Farmers protesting in Ghazipur at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border for the last 123 days sing and dance as they celebrate #Holi.
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2021
"We demand that the government should accept our demand and take back the three farm laws so that we can go home," says a farmer. pic.twitter.com/6C5RaEUwNv
Mathura: Devotees gather at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, on the ocassion of #Holi today. pic.twitter.com/lPUwY78qO7
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 29, 2021
Nepal: Indian Army gifted 1 lakh doses of Made in India COVID19 vaccine to Nepal Army yesterday.#VaccineMaitri pic.twitter.com/B3Z6kyefmt
- ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2021