Coronavirus Updates: Joe Biden expresses solidarity with India, says determined to support fight against COVID

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra reports 48,700 new Covid-19 cases

The daily number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra dropped to 48,700 on Monday, taking the count of infections to 43,43,727 while 524 deaths pushed the toll to 65,284, the state health department said.

Maharashtra had reported the lowest number of infections in this month so far on April 1 (43,183 cases). On April 2, the state had added 47,827 infections.

With 2,22,475 new tests on Monday, the number of samples tested so far in Maharashtra rose to 2,59,72 018, the department said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

US determined to support India in COVID fight: Biden tells Modi

US President Joe Biden on Monday conveyed solidarity with India in its fight against COVID-19 and asserted that his country was determined to support its efforts by quickly deploying resources such as therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials to be made available for the manufacture of Covishield vaccine, according to a statement.

Biden expressed the support of the US to India in a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which the two leaders discussed the pandemic situation in their countries, including India’s ongoing efforts to contain a second wave of COVID-19 through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and medical equipment.

Modi also informed Biden about India’s initiative at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a relaxation in the norms of the Agreement on TRIPS to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries, the statement said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

US will share AstraZeneca vaccines with world

The US will begin sharing its entire pipeline of vaccines from AstraZeneca once the COVID-19 vaccine clear federal safety reviews, the White House told The Associated Press on Monday, with as many as 60 million doses expected to be available for export in the coming months.

The move greatly expands on the Biden administration’s action last month to share about 4 million doses of the vaccine with Mexico and Canada. The AstraZeneca vaccine is widely in use around the world but not yet authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The move comes as the White House is increasingly assured about the supply of the three vaccines being administered in the US, particularly following the restart of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot over the weekend.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

PM dials Joe Biden, thanks US for its support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night spoke to US President Joe Biden over the evolving COVID situation in both countries. Modi also thanked Biden for providing help to India, by exported required raw material for vaccine manufacturing to Serum Institute of India

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Noida records 15 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours 

Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar Monday recorded its highest single-day spike in COVID-linked deaths, with official data showing 15 people succumbed to the viral disease in 24 hours.

The district also recorded 655 new infections that pushed its overall tally of cases to 36,645, while the active caseload reached 6,300, according to the figures released by the UP Health Department for a 24-hour period.

On the brighter side, 406 patients got discharged during the period with the overall recoveries reaching 30,176 in the district, the fifth highest in the state, it showed.

Gautam Buddh Nagar now has a death toll of 169 with a mortality rate of 0.46 per cent. The recovery rate of patients dropped marginally to 82.34 per cent from 82.69 per cent the previous day, the numbers showed.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Bihar reports 11,801 new cases, 67 deaths today

Total 11,801 more COVID cases were reported in Bihar Monday escalating the virus caseload to 4,15,397, with capital Patna being worst-hit in the state, health department bulletin said. The state saw 67 fresh casualties, taking the toll to 2222, it said.

Among the new cases, Patna’s share was a maximum of 2,720, while Saran had 568 infections, West Champaran (460), Saharsa (433) and Purnea (384).

Sheikhpura Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma tested positive and has self-isolated himself.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Oxygen supply in Punjab is extremely critical, tweets Captain Amarinder Singh

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

West Bengal logs record 15,992 new COVID-19 cases, 68 more deaths

West Bengal on Monday registered 68 deaths due to COVID-19, the highest so far in a single day, pushing the toll to 11,009, the health department said. The state also reported record 15,992 fresh infections, which took the tally to 7,59,942, the department said in its bulletin.

Kolkata alone accounted for 26 deaths and 3,868 new cases, the bulletin said. The number of active cases has risen to 94,949.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Punjab govt orders weekend lockdown, extends night curfew

The Punjab government on Monday ordered a weekend lockdown and extended the night curfew by two hours in a bid to tackle the surge in coronavirus cases.

The government has also ordered the closure of shops by 5 pm.

“Due to continuous & rapid rise of #Covid19 cases in Punjab, Cabinet today has decided to impose daily lockdown from 6 PM to 5 AM and weekend lockdown from Friday 6 PM to Monday 5 AM. Urge you all to stay at home & step out only if absolutely necessary. Seek your full cooperation, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh in a tweet said.

“All shops will remain open till 5 pm from Monday till Friday,” said Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar addressing mediapersons after a cabinet meeting here.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

US to work around the clock to help India against COVID-19 surge: US Ambassador  to UN

The US will work around the clock to help India as it battles a devastating surge in COVID-19 cases and Washington is doing everything it can to help, including deploying raw materials for vaccines, ventilators, oxygen generation supplies, and financial support for vaccine expansion, the US Ambassador to the UN said on Monday.

“I want to take a moment to talk about the heartbreaking situation in India. The most recent spike of COVID-19 cases there has been devastating. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of India, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during a closed virtual dialogue hosted by the United States, Argentina, Japan, Norway, and South Africa on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.”

She said the US is doing everything it can to help, including deploying raw materials for vaccines, as well as therapeutics, rapid diagnostic kits, ventilators, oxygen generation supplies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USAID public health teams, and financial support for vaccine expansion.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Delhi HC says not in agreement with Centre on availability of enough oxygen

The Delhi High Court Monday said it was not in agreement with the Centre that there is enough oxygen available to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients in the national capital.

“Today there is a shortage (of oxygen). The Solicitor General says there is no shortage but we will not accept it because we have ourselves seen there is a shortage of oxygen,” said a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said his submission was that there is enough oxygen if distributed properly and the issue was of transportation and not the supply.

“I have not said Delhi has enough oxygen. I am saying right now we have enough oxygen if distributed properly,” he said. During the hearing, petitioner advocate Rakesh Malhotra made the submission that there was a shortage of RT-PCR kits.

-PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra vaccinates over 5 lakh citizens today, tweets CMO

Calling it a “milestone” on Twitter, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s office also said that vaccination of 1.5 crore citizens will be achieved soon. The government said the state has “achieved a milestone in its COVID vaccination drive today”

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre asks SII, Bharat Biotech to reduce rates for state, private procurement, says report

As per CNBC-TV18, the government has asked the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech to reconsider and reduce their vaccine prices for state and private procurement.

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has fixed the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and at Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals.

The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine maker in terms of volume, has announced a price of Rs 400 per dose for its COVID-19 vaccine, ‘Covishield’, for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.

Obstructing oxygen tankers amounts to endangering human lives, says Delhi HC

 Obstructing cryogenic tankers carrying medical oxygen for COVID-19 patients will tantamount to endangering human lives, the Delhi High Court said on Monday, pointing out that the Rajasthan government must honour the orders not to cause any hindrance in transportation of the gas to other states.  Acting tough on black marketing in oxygen cylinders, reportedly being sold at Rs 1 lakh per unit here, the high court asked the Delhi government to take action against those indulging in it, saying distribution of gas cylinders is “your baby” and the state should work out an oxygen distribution plan.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre exempts three sectors from ban non-medical use of liquid oxygen

A day after putting a ban on the use of liquid oxygen for non-medical purposes, the government on Monday allowed three sectors —ampules and vials, pharmaceutical and defence forces — to use the commodity.  Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla had on Sunday imposed a ban on the use of liquid oxygen for non-medical purposes, amid a scarcity of medical oxygen in many parts of the country, particularly in Delhi, that have been hit by a fresh wave of the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to states and Union Territories on Monday, Bhalla said that three sectors — ampules and vials; pharmaceutical and defence forces — have now been exempted from the ban order.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Himachal Pradesh to provide oxygen supply to Delhi

The Himachal Pradesh government will arrange oxygen supply to Delhi, which is facing acute shortage of the life-saving gas for COVID-19 patients, from the hill state, an official spokesperson said on Monday.  Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, on the request of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has agreed to arrange emergency supply of oxygen to Delhi amid the COVID-19 crisis, he added.

In a letter written to his Delhi counterpart, Thakur said that the Himachal Pradesh government was “highly concerned” about the situation emerging in the national capital and would be more than happy to extend all possible help to the Delhi government. Thakur said that officers of the Delhi government may contact additional director of industries for arranging the supply of oxygen from the state.  Kejriwal, in a tweet, also thanked the chief minister for his help. 

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Agra hospital accuses tehsildar of obstructing oxygen supply

A private hospital in Agra on Monday asked permission from the authorities to shut its COVID facility, accusing a tehsildar of obstructing the supply of oxygen cylinders.  Chauhan Hospital and Eye Care in a letter to the CMO alleged that Tehsildar Preeti Jain seized 15 of the 30 oxygen-filled cylinders from their facility and accused her of causing obstruction in its supply every day.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Consider complete lockdown on 1 and 2 May, Madras HC tells Puducherry and TN

 The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments to consider declaring complete lockdown for two days on 1 and 2 May 1, when counting of votes polled in the  6 April Assembly elections will be taken up. The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy gave the suggestion while passing further interim orders on an issue relating to alleged shortage of Remdesivir drug, ventilators and beds and diversion of oxygen cylinders to other states. Based on newspaper reports, the judges took up the issue by themselves.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre asks SII, Bharat Biotech to lower price of COVID-19 vaccines: Report

The Central government on Monday asked the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to lower prices of their COVID-19 vaccines amid criticism from various states who objected to profiteering during such a major crisis. The issue of vaccine pricing was discussed at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Now the two companies are expected to come up with revised pricing for their vaccines.

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has fixed the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and at Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine maker in terms of volume, has announced a price of Rs 400 per dose for its COVID-19 vaccine, ‘Covishield’, for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals. Both vaccines are available to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.

PTI

Shops and restaurants in Kerala to operate till 7.30 pm

According to reports , the maximum number of people who will be allowed to attend a wedding in Kerala has been reduced from 75 to 50 persons (duration of two hours) and 20 for funerals. Shops and restaurants allowed to function only till 7:30 pm while home delivery and take away can continue till 9 pm. All social political, religious and cultural gatherings have been prohibited till further orders.

No lockdown in Kerala, restrictions to be imposed

After an all party meeting, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state government has decided against a complete lockdown but certain restrictions will be imposed, according to reports . Weekend curbs will continue, he said.  Additionally, theaters, malls, gyms, clubs, sports complexes, swimming pools, tourist parks, bars, foreign liquor stores will have to be shut temporarily, according to the CMO.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Implement intensive, local, focused containment framework, MHA tells states

 With a large part of the country battling a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the Centre Monday asked all states and Union Territories to implement an intensive, local and focused containment framework, stressing on specific districts and areas to snap the chain of transmission. In a communication to all states and UTs, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla reiterated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s 25 April advisory on containment strategy and said the district authorities should be sensitised on the strategy for imposing restrictions and it should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for their effective implementation.

Bhalla said that in the recent past, a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases has been observed along with high positivity rate. Considering this unprecedented spike, he said, there is an urgent need for states and UTs to consider strict COVID management and control measures, in the surge areas to bring the situation under control. 

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Adhere to COVID-19 norms, then blame govt, Bombay HC advises citizens

 Citizens should practice  restraint and discipline amid the surge in COVID-19 cases before blaming the government, the Aurangabad bench of Bombay
High Court said on Monday while passing several directions on the pandemic.“We as citizens should show some loyalty to our place and sensibility before blaming the government. Residents need to practice restraint and discipline,” Justice Ravindra  Ghuge said. 

“We see youngsters, girls and boys, loitering outside without any purpose. People are travelling on bikes on triples and sometimes even four persons without helmets and masks,” the court said. The court said any person stepping outside shall have to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital receives 64 refilled oxygen cylinders: Official

Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Monday evening received 64 refilled oxygen cylinders, which are used while transporting critically ill COVID patients, after waiting for three days, officials said.   Earlier, hospital sources had said that it was on beg and borrow mode. The SGRH has just received 64 refilled oxygen cylinders, an official of the hospital said at 4.20 pm. The hospital had also received 10 tonnes of liquid oxygen around 11.40 am. In the morning, the medical facility said it had 4,000 cubic metres of oxygen left which would last for eight hours.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Four patients die at hospital in Maharashtra’s Thane; kin allege oxygen shortage

At least four COVID-19 patients died at a private hospital in Thane in Maharashtra on Monday with their family members alleging the shortage of medical oxygen as the cause. However, the hospital management has said the deceased patients were in critical condition.

Maharashtra minister and NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad said the state government has constituted a committee to probe the death of the four patients at the hospital. “The state government has directed Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) commissioner Pankaj Ashiya to probe the incident and submit a report,” he told reporters after visiting the hospital. When asked about the probable cause behind the death of the four patients, Awhad said 35 patients were admitted in the ICU of the hospital and had a disruption in oxygen supply been the cause it would have affected all the patients and not only four of them.

Meanwhile, kin of the deceased created a ruckus at the entrance of the hospital alleging that the shortage of oxygen killed the four patients. The situation was brought under control by police personnel who rushed to the spot.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu govt opposes ‘differential’ pricing for COVID-19 vaccines

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami on Monday wrote to the Centre opposing the “differential price mechanism” for the COVID-19 vaccine.

He “asked the Centre to procure and supply the entire required quantity of vaccine for administering it to all age groups including from 18-45,” Deccan Herald reported.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Advisable to wear masks at home, says VK Paul

NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul on Monday said that people must start wearing masks at home, “within the family”, given the exponential rise in cases.

“We used to recommend this when going out, but this would not be a bad practice.Stay with your family,  please don’t go out unnecessarily,  within the family please wear mask and please don’t invite people home,” he said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Randeep Guleria says judicious use of oxygen is ‘very important’

“We have to reduce the number of cases and use hospital resources optimally. The judicious use of oxygen is very important. Right now, there is an unnecessary panic,” said AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, in a press conference with the Union Health Ministry on Monday.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra has highest active caseload, says Centre

The Union Health Ministry on Monday stated that Maharashtra has the highest active caseload with 7,00,207 active cases currently, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

“Most of the states have crossed their highest reported daily cases during September last year,” the ministry added.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Pace of COVID-19 vaccination should not slow down, says VK Paul

NITI Aayog member VK Paul says the pace of COVID-19 vaccination should not be slowed and dispels rumours that women on their menstrual periods should not take the vaccine. “The vaccine can be taken during periods. This is no reason to postpone vaccination,” ANI quotes him as saying.Our vaccines are working well, he says.

Most states have crossed peak in previous wave, saya health ministry

Joint secretary of the Union Health Ministry, Lav Agrawal  eight states Maharashtra, UP, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have over one lakh active cases.  Most states have crossed the peak in September during the previous wave, he said and said the growing cases were a cause of concern,

Agarwal said 14.19 crore vaccine doses have been administered.  He said  that a national average of over 87 percent of healthcare workers and average of 79 percent of Frontline workers have got at least one dose of covid vaccine and added that  over 36 percent (national average) of those above 60 have also got the 1st dose.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

No shortage of oxygen supply, says MHA

During a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, Additional Secretary in the MHA says there is enough oxygen supply in the country but transportation is a challenge. He also appeals to hospitals to ensure judicious use of oxygen.

A total of 9103 MT of Medical Oxygen was produced on 24 April, he said , adding  “Our production capacity was only 7259 MT; but with the continuous and combined efforts of the Centre, State/UTs and Industries, the capacity has been increased.”

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Bombay HC directs to increase testing in Marathwada

The Aurangabad bench of Bombay HCenquires whether it is true that the stock of COVID-19 vaccines has been exhausted, to which the counsel for the state government responds that there were no vaccines available on Saturday and Sunday but that they are being procured, according to reports .

According to LiveLaw, the court orders Divisional Commissioner Aurangabad or district Collectors, to issue press releases after 7pm, each day, to indicate the Covid treatment facilities available at the hospitals in the districts. It also order that rapid antigen tests and RT PCR tests be increased and adequate supply of vaccines should be ensured.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Five COVID-19 patients die at Hisar hospital, kin allege oxygen shortage

 Five COVID-19 patients, including one from Delhi, died at a private hospital in Hisar on Monday with relatives of the deceased holding a protest attributing their death to alleged grave shortage of medical oxygen shortage at the facility.  Police said they were verifying the allegations of oxygen shortage after relatives of some of the deceased held a protest outside the facility. The hospital administration was, however, not available for making comments on the matter.

Three of the patients who died at the hospital hailed from Haryana’s Hisar district, one belonged to Delhi and other one was from Punjab.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Aurangabad bench of Bombay HC hears suo moto plea

The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay HC took suo moto cognisance of coronaviurs situation and issues faced by COVID-19 victims in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, according to reports. According to LiveLaw, during the hearing the court said it wants citizens of eight districts in the region to carry Aadhar card while stepping out of their houses during weekend curfew.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Twitter starts COVID-19 SOS resources page

Twitter on Monday said people requiring access to resources like hospital beds and food could turn to its COVID-19 SOS: Resources page which will update in real time as people put out their emergency tweets. It also started the COVID-19: Know the facts page to  find information verified by official sources amid the conflicting information around anti coronavirus vaccines. In a series of tweets its also said Twitter also informed about the  COVID-19 India LIVE page and  COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself page.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

HD Deve Gowda calls for curtailing election victory celebrations

In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda has also called for curtailing election victory celebrations, and postponement of all byelections and local elections by six months as part of measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. All large public gatherings should be banned for the next six months, the JD(S) supremo said in the letter.

During this period, Gowda said, the Election Commission can evolve new rules for conduct of safe elections, and simultaneously, the vaccination programme has to be accelerated. He assured the prime minister that he will support all constructive decisions and initiatives that the Union government may take under his leadership, to contain the pandemic, spread the vaccination programme, and save lives.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

EC the most irresponsible institution, says Madras HC

The Madras High Court on Monday came down hard on the Election Commission and called it the “the most irresponsible institution” for the alleged spread of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country. In stinging remarks, the court said EC officials may be booked under murder charges too. The  bench said that by allowing the political parties to take out rallies and meetings, it had paved the way for the resurgence of the second wave of Covid-19.

“You are the only institution that is responsible for the situation today. No action against political parties taking rallies despite every order of the Court. Your election commission should be put up on murder charges probably!”  Bar&Bench quotes the chief justice as saying.

According to PTI, the judges also orally warned that they would not hesitate to stop the counting of votes on 2 May.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Karnataka to provide free COVID-19 vaccines  for 18-45 age group at govt hospitals

The Karnataka Cabinet on Tuesday also decided to provide COVID-19 vaccinations free of cost at government hospitals for those between 18-45 years of age. The health department will draw the guidelines required.
   

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also clarified that there is no shortage of oxygen and said the Centre has increased the daily quota from 300 metric tonnes to 800 metric tonnes. 

PTI