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India recorded 47,262 fresh coronavirus cases in a day, the highest single-day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,17,34,058, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.
The active caseload registered an increased for the 14th day in row and was recorded at 3,68,457, comprising 3.14 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate further dropped to 95.49 per cent, the ministry data updated at 8 am said.
The daily rise in infections was the highest recorded in 132 days, while the country's COVID-19 death count increased to 1,60,441, with 275 new fatalities, the highest in around 83 days.
As many as 47,905 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on November 12 last year, it said.
Meanwhile, Random testing of coronavirus will be held across Delhi's airports, railway and bus stations, the Delhi government declared on Tuesday amid a surge in infections that is seen as the emergent second wave of the virus. A bar was also placed on the public celebration of the coming Holi, Shab-e-Barat and Navratra festivals. The government said safety measures for Covid should be rigorously observed in public places, especially in markets and malls.
The Delhi government said random testing will also be held at crowded boarding points for private buses. The district magistrates and senior police officers of all districts were ordered to strictly follow the instructions.
Here are the Latest News Highlights:
Brazil's Coronavirus Death Count Surpasses 300,000
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The country's Covid-19 death count now stands at 300,685, the health ministry said, from 12.2 million infections.
President Jair Bolsonaro announced earlier he was launching a crisis committee to deal with the pandemic, a change of course amid mounting pressure over a situation he has repeatedly minimized.
Finland, Iceland Approve AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine For Seniors
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"There is no increased risk of very rare blood clots for people older than 65 after having the vaccination," said Finland's THL health agency.
"Vaccination in this age bracket can thus go ahead," from Monday.
As a precaution while tests continue, the vaccine will remain suspended for those aged under 65, the agency added.
Sunday Lockdown Extended To Four More Madhya Pradesh Districts
Alarmed over rising coronavirus cases, the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to impose Sunday lockdown in the districts of Betul, Chhindwara, Ratlam and Khargone, an official said.
Sunday lockdown is already in force in Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced this while briefing his ministerial colleagues on the coronavirus situation after the cabinet meeting, said the official.
The lockdown will begin at 10 PM on Saturday and end on 6 AM on Monday.
In the cities where more than 20 cases are being reported daily, and in the districts where the average new cases per week are more than 20, only 50 persons can attend a marriage ceremony and only 20 people can take part in the last rites.
5 States account for 77.44% of new COVID-19 cases: Health Ministry
Five States of Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat are reporting a surge in the new COVID-19 cases and together they account for 77.44 per cent of the new cases, as per the Union Health Ministry. "47,262 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the last 24 hours in the country," informed the release by the Union Health Ministry.
Six states (above 5 states and Tamil Nadu) cumulatively account for 81.65 per cent of the new cases reported in the past 24 hours. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases followed by Punjab and Karnataka.
Mauritius PM thanks India's support in providing COVID-19 vaccines
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"I would like to place on record our deepest gratitude to the government of India for the generous donation of 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and also for its acceptance to supply to Mauritius a further 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and 200,000 doses of COVAXIN," the Prime Minister said according to a clip shared by the Indian Embassy in Mauritius.
The Indian embassy tweeted the video and wrote: "Thank you Hon'ble PM @JugnauthKumar for your kind words of appreciation to the Government of India for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines to Mauritius."
Haryana reports 981 new #COVID19 cases, 379 recoveries and 6 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2021
Total cases 2,82,569
Total recoveries 2,72,714
Death toll 3110
Active cases 6745 pic.twitter.com/2rihkrMQPK
Tamil Nadu reports 1636 new #COVID19 cases, 1023 recoveries and 12 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2021
Total cases 8,71,440
Total recoveries 8,49,064
Death toll 12,630
Active cases 9,746 pic.twitter.com/Jzp8PkOSqM
Former chief minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat tests positive for COVID-19
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Mumbai reports highest single-day spike with 5,185 Covid cases
Mumbai reported 5,185 new COVID-19 cases today -- its highest single-day spike since the pandemic began in December 2019. Mumbai reported 2,088 recoveries and 6 deaths today.
Mumbai reported 5,185 new COVID-19 cases today -- its highest single-day spike since the pandemic began in December 2019. Mumbai reported 2,088 recoveries and 6 deaths today.
Mumbai reports 5185 new #COVID19 cases, 2088 recoveries and 6 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2021
Total cases 3,74,611
Total recoveries 3,31,322
Death toll 11,606
Active cases 30,760 pic.twitter.com/qzwurRGbSp
Gujarat reports 1790 new #COVID19 cases, 1277 recoveries and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours.
- ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2021
Total cases 2,92,169
Total recoveries 2,78,880
Death toll 4,466
Active cases 8,823
Andhra Pradesh records 585 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths
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Four people died due to COVID-19 in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday while 251 recovered, the bulletin said. The number of active cases mounted to 2,946 after 8,84,978 patients recovered from the infection and another 7,197 died in the state.
Uttarakhand reports 200 new #COVID19 cases and 49 recoveries today, no deaths reported.
- ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2021
Total cases 98,880
Total recoveries 94,634
Death toll 1706
Active cases 1115 pic.twitter.com/eVOEksSgns
"Grave Concern": Government On Rising Covid Cases In Maharashtra, PunjabThe Covid surge in Maharashtra and Punjab is cause of grave concern, the Union Health Ministry said today, tracing the expanding circle of states that are showing an upward graph as part of the emergent second wave of infection. The numbers are moving up in four other states, the ministry said - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Covid surge in Maharashtra, Punjab "cause of grave concern"
The Covid surge in Maharashtra and Punjab is cause of grave concern, the Union Health Ministry said today, tracing the expanding circle of states that are showing an upward graph as part of the emergent second wave of infection. The numbers are moving up in four other states, the ministry said -- Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The last two states and Union Territories that are a cause of concern due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 are Chhattisgarh and Chandigarh, the ministry said during its regular briefing this evening.
Earlier today, the Centre had admitted that a new "double mutant variant" of the virus has been detected in 18 states. One variant has been found in Maharashtra, another in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
Kerala Elections: Amit Shah, E Sreedharan Campaigning In Malampuzha
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- ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2021
Haryana Bans Public Celebrations On Holi 2021 Amid Rise In Covid-19 CasesHaryana has joined the list of states which have banned Holi festival celebrations in the public like gatherings and processions, amid a continuing rise in COVID-19 cases across the country.
Centre asks states to restrict public observance of festivals, limit or stop gatherings amid rise in Covid cases
Amid a spike in COVID-19 infections in some parts of the country, the Centre has asked states and union territories to consider imposing local restrictions in public observance of the upcoming festivals and limit or do away with mass gatherings for effective control of the pandemic. Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry Arti Ahuja, in a letter to state chief secretaries and union territory administrators, stated that the battle against COVID-19 is at a critical juncture with rising number of cases and deaths being reported from many parts in the recent past.
"...in view of upcoming festivals such as Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Bihu, Easter and Eid-ul-Fitr, etc., it is strongly advised that states may consider imposing local restrictions in public observance of these festivals and limit/do away with mass gatherings in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005," the letter read.
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Coronavirus Variants "Of Concern", New Variant Found In 18 States: Centre
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Telangana Sees 431 COVID-19 Cases, 2 More Deaths
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In wake of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, cinema halls, malls, metro, and religious places have been called 'super spreader' areas: Delhi Government
No Fresh COVID-19 Case In Andamans
Andaman and Nicobar Islands did not report any new COVID-19 case on Wednesday, a health official said. Three more people have been cured of the disease, he said. The Union territory's caseload stands at 5,039, of which five are active cases, while 4,972 people have recovered
from the infection and 62 patients have succumbed to the disease so far, the official said.
Thane District Sees 2,538 New COVID-19 Cases, 11 Deaths
With the addition of2,538 fresh coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 2,93,154 while the toll rose to 6,403 with the death of 11 patients, an official said on Wednesday. These new cases were reported on Tuesday, he said. The recovery rate in the district stood at 91.73 per cent with 2,68,918 patients recovering from COVID-19 disease so far, he said, adding the district is now left with 17,833 active cases.
Indore: 24-Hour COVID-19 Control Room Monitors Home Isolated Patients
As COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh's Indore have been rising, the health department of the district is helping positive patients under home isolation through a control room. "The district control room of COVID-19 in Indore helps the patients who are in home isolation through audio or video calls. The control room runs 24 hours. This control room also helps us to monitor their health status," the Nodal officer of the control room Dr Anil Dongre told ANI.
India Records 47,262 New Infections, 275 Deaths In 24 Hours
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,17,34,058 with 47,262 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,12,05,160, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death count increased to 1,60,441 with 275 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde Tests COVID-19 Positive For Second Time
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In Chennai's Covid Vaccination Drive, Get Jabbed At Your Doorstep
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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched 'Mera Mask Meri Suraksha', a campaign aimed at raising awareness about COVID-19 in Bhopal yesterday.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched 'Mera Mask Meri Suraksha', a campaign aimed at raising awareness about COVID-19 in Bhopal yesterday. He drew circles in front of shops to ensure social distancing in markets.
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2021
"I appeal to everyone to wear face masks," he said. pic.twitter.com/k3WhBEdvWh
Madhya Pradesh Government Considering Sunday Lockdown In 2-3 Cities
As COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise, the Madhya Pradesh government is considering imposing a lockdown on Sundays in two to three cities, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Tuesday. Speaking to media persons, Mishra also urged people with ''folded hands'' to follow COVID-19 guidelines prescribed by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.
Random Covid Tests At Delhi Airport, Railway Station, No Holi In Public
Random testing of coronavirus will be held across Delhi's airports, railway and bus stations, the Delhi government declared on Tuesday amid a surge in infections that is seen as the emergent second wave of the virus. A bar was also placed on the public celebration of the coming Holi, Shab-e-Barat and Navratra festivals. The government said safety measures for Covid should be rigorously observed in public places, especially in markets and malls. Read Here
Covid Testing Ramped Up At Jammu Railway Station
With the rise of COVID-19 cases across the country, testing has been ramped up at the Jammu Railway Station, with over 25 teams deployed to test every passenger arriving from other states, reported news agency ANI.
According to Dr Rakesh Kumar, in-charge of testing at the Railway Station, passengers are not being allowed to leave the station without undergoing a COVID-19 test.
"Every person that gets off a train is being tested. Until they are tested, they are not allowed to leave the station. When a person tests positive, they are taken to a nearby COVID-19 centre through an ambulance on standby," Mr Kumar told news agency ANI.
With the rise of COVID-19 cases across the country, testing has been ramped up at the Jammu Railway Station, with over 25 teams deployed to test every passenger arriving from other states, reported news agency ANI.
According to Dr Rakesh Kumar, in-charge of testing at the Railway Station, passengers are not being allowed to leave the station without undergoing a COVID-19 test.
"Every person that gets off a train is being tested. Until they are tested, they are not allowed to leave the station. When a person tests positive, they are taken to a nearby COVID-19 centre through an ambulance on standby," Mr Kumar told news agency ANI.
Madhya Pradesh Considering Sunday Lockdowns In Some Cities
As COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise, the Madhya Pradesh government is considering imposing a lockdown on Sundays in two to three cities, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Tuesday, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking to media persons, Mr Mishra also urged people with "folded hands" to follow COVID-19 guidelines prescribed by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.
"Around 300 to 400 COVID-19 cases are being reported in Indore and Bhopal daily. If cases increase at this pace, we will soon return to the situation that prevailed earlier. With folded hands, I urge people to follow all guidelines," he said.
The government is mulling to imposed lockdown on Sundays in 2-3 cities, he added.
As COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise, the Madhya Pradesh government is considering imposing a lockdown on Sundays in two to three cities, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Tuesday, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking to media persons, Mr Mishra also urged people with "folded hands" to follow COVID-19 guidelines prescribed by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.
"Around 300 to 400 COVID-19 cases are being reported in Indore and Bhopal daily. If cases increase at this pace, we will soon return to the situation that prevailed earlier. With folded hands, I urge people to follow all guidelines," he said.
The government is mulling to imposed lockdown on Sundays in 2-3 cities, he added.
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter: NASA To Attempt First Off-World Flight In AprilNASA is targeting early April for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter to make the first attempt at powered, controlled flight on another planet, the space agency said Tuesday.
