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Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The national capital on Thursday recorded 395 deaths due to coronavirus, the highest since the pandemic began a year ago, and 24,235 cases with a positivity rate of 32.82 percent, according to a bulletin issued by the city health department. This was the eighth day in a row that Delhi has recorded over 300 deaths due to COVID-19. The Centre directed the states and Union territories on Thursday to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of COVID-19 cases to check the spread of the viral disease. West Bengal on Thursday registered its highest single-day deaths of 89 people due to COVID-19, pushing the toll to 11,248, the health department said. The coronavirus tally topped the 8-lakh-mark to settle at 8,10,955 after 17,403 tested positive in the last 24 hours. As per several reports, Uttar Pradesh Shikshak Mahasangh has claimed that about 577 teachers, who were on Panchayat Poll duties, have so far died due to coronavirus across the state. Vaccination in Mumbai closed for three days from tomorrow due to lack of adequate vaccines, said BMC Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says he held a meeting with the officials on COVID-19 vaccination drive in the Capital. “Prepared a plan to vaccinate all above 18 years in the next three months,” he said. “We will set up vaccination centres on a large scale. All eligible people must come forward to get vaccinated.” More than 1 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and UTs and they will receive over 20 lakh more doses within the next 3 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Thursday claimed that India’s COVID fatality rate is the “lowest in the world” at 1.11 percent. Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that it has reduced the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, for state governments from Rs 600 to Rs 400 per dose, the vaccine-maker said in a statement today. The cost of the COVID-19 vaccine for private hospitals is changed to Rs 1,200 per dose. A record single-day rise of 298 COVID-19 fatalities in Uttar Pradesh pushed the death toll to 12,241 on Thursday, while the infection tally mounted to 12,17,955 with 35,156 fresh cases. The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the Centre as to why various states, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, were being allocated more oxygen than they demanded while the national capital was not getting even the quantity necessary for treating COVID-19 patients. BMC will add at least 500 more public and private centres for the new vaccination drive. So vaccination for 45+ shall not be compromised or slowed down, said Ashwini Bhide, BMC’s Additional Municipal Commissioner. Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee made the observations after the ASG said that the COVID surge was ‘unexpected’. The ASG was explaining the measures taken to ramp up the availability of Remdesivir drug. The hospital in Delhi’s Paschim Vihar currently has 150 patients, of whom 70 are on medical oxygen support. At least 13 patients are admitted in the ICU or are on ventilator. The decision comes a day after the state reported the highest single-day surge in COVID-19 toll with 266 more deaths. The toll in the state now stands at 11,943. Speaking about the third phase of the nationwide inoculation drive, which will cover all between the ages of 18 and 45, the Delhi health minister said that the government has requested for more vaccines. The Uttarakhand government suspended Char Dham yatra, which was scheduled to begin on 14 May. ‘Only priests of the four temples will perform rituals,’ said CM Tirath Singh Rawat. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs allowed the import of 17 medical devices, like oxygen canister, nebulizers, with mandatory customs clearance over the next three months. Over 3.79 lakh fresh cases, and 3,645 deaths have been recorded in the last 24 hours in India, as per data released by the health ministry. Two flights from Russia ferried 20 oxygen concentrators, 75 ventilators, 150 bedside monitors and medicines totalling 22 MT to Delhi. As the registration of all citizens above 18 years of age for vaccination against COVID-19 started on the CoWin portal at 4 pm on Wednesday, many people took to social media to complain about the technical problems they faced trying to register for the third phase of the inoculation drive scheduled to begin from 1 May. The Union health ministry, however, said that the media reports that the server has crashed “are incorrect and are without any basis”. “The server supporting the CoWin digital portal continues to work smoothly at its highest efficiency. People are registering on the platform, mostly of age-group 18-44. It witnessed more than 80 lakh people registered themselves on the portal, within three hours from 4 pm to 7 pm,” the ministry said. However, with the continuing shortage in vaccine supply, the Maharashtra government Wednesday announced that it won’t be launching the vaccination drive for those aged between 18-44 on 1 May. Though the vaccine will be made available for free at govt inoculation centres, the vaccination drive will be conducted at separate vaccination centres once vaccines are made available. Meanwhile, India saw a record single-day rise of 3,60,960 coronavirus cases, while the toll crossed two lakh following 3,293 fresh fatalities. This, on a day when Serum Institute of India (SII), the maker of the most used COVID-19 vaccine in the country, announced a cut in the price of the vaccine it plans to sell to states to Rs 300 per dose from the earlier Rs 400. This follows widespread criticism of its pricing policy as it has sold the initial doses of Covishield to the Central Government at Rs 150 per dose. Also on Wednesday, the Union government announced that SII CEO Adar Poonawalla will get “Y” category security across India by the CRPF. This came after a 16 April letter from Prakash Kumar Singh, director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, SII, to Union home minister Amit Shah requesting security for Poonawalla. Singh, in the latter, claimed Poonawalla has been getting threats from various groups regarding the COVID-19 vaccine supplies. Delhi HC raps Centre The Delhi High Court on Wednesday objected to a “change” by the Centre in the COVID treatment protocol related to Remdesivir use amid a shortage of the drug, saying “it appears you want people to die”. “This is wrong. This is a complete non-application of mind. Now people who do not have oxygen will not get Remdesivir either. It appears you want people to die,” Justice Prathiba M Singh said after the Central Government submitted that under the protocol being followed now only patients on oxygen support were being given Remdesivir. The court also said it will consider later whether a medical committee should review if the protocols or guidelines for administering Remdesivir need any modification. “Don’t change the protocol only to reduce the shortage. That is wrong. As a result, doctors are not able to prescribe Remdesivir,” the court said and added, “This is complete mismanagement.” On the allocation of the drug to Delhi, the Centre told the court that over 52,000 vials, out of the allocated amount of 72,000, were sent to the National Capital till 27 April. It said the allocation was being made on the basis of the actual caseload of a state. The court, however, said the allocation cannot be so low for Delhi. The court also said it was “shocking” that an MP was able to procure 10,000 vials of the medicine from Delhi, transport it to Ahmednagar in Maharashtra via a chartered flight and distributed it there. “This is shocking the conscience of the court. That is 10,000 vials that could have been given to patients in Delhi. There is complete mismanagement of the quota being received by the state,” it said. The Centre then said that in the coming days the allocation would increase as there would be a rise in production. The court’s harsh words for the Centre come merely a day after it came down heavily on the state government in a hearing, saying its confidence in the government is shaken and telling authorities to put their house in order. ‘Candidates need full COVID-19 vaccination or negative test’ Candidates or their agents will not be allowed inside counting halls without a negative coronavirus report or without having both COVID-19 vaccine doses, the Election Commission said Wednesday in its latest guidelines for counting of votes on 2 May. Issued amid coronavirus cases spiralling out of control, the guidelines bar public gatherings outside venues during the counting process, but allow candidates to name a fresh agent if the first one tests positive for COVID-19. Counting of votes for Assembly polls in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, besides various other assemblies and Lok Sabha bypolls begins at 8 am on 2 May. “No candidates or agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing RT-PCR/RAT test or without having two doses of vaccination against Covid-19 and will have to produce negative RT-PCR report or RAT report or vaccination reports within 48 hours of the start of counting,” the guidelines read. The district election officers will organise COVID-19 tests for candidates and their counting agents, it said. The Madras High Court had on Monday lashed out at the EC for failing to ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour during campaigning. The poll panel has to apprise the high court on 30 April about steps it has taken to ensure a Covid-safe counting process. The fresh EC guidelines go beyond the ones issued by the poll panel for the Bihar Assembly elections last year which were being used as a template for elections being held during the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, the poll panel had barred victory processions after counting to check large gatherings amid rising coronavirus cases. Lockdown-like curbs extended in Maharashtra extended till 15 May The existing lockdown-like restrictions in Maharashtra, imposed to stem the COVID-19 spread, will be extended by 15 days beyond 30 April, state health minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday. The strict curbs on the movement of people and a host of other activities are in force in the state since 14 April and were to end on 30 April. Essential services have been exempted from the curbs. Addressing media persons after a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai, Tope said that though the COVID-19 situation seems to have stabilised to some extent in the state, all the ministers pitched for extending the ongoing curbs. “Today, the number (of daily cases) is 60,000-plus. There definitely is some stability. We had earlier predicted that (daily) cases may go beyond 70,000. But that has not happened. Now, I hope and pray to God that this may be the peak and there will be a decline in the graph daily,” he said. The minister said if people observe COVID-appropriate behaviour by wearing masks and adhering to social distancing norms, the present situation can be brought under control. But one thing is sure, all the Cabinet members said in unison that the lockdown, which will be effective till 30 April, be extended. Now, it definitely will be extended by 15 days, Tope said. Prohibitory orders, banning the assembly of five or more people at one place, are in force, while non-essential activities are not being allowed. At present, vegetable shops, grocery stores and milk shops are allowed to remain open only between 7 am and 11 am, while home delivery of items is permitted till 8 pm. Last week, the state government further tightened the curbs by imposing restrictions on travel, attendance in offices and wedding functions. The state govt also said that the COVID-19 vaccination drive beginning 1 May won't be launched in Maharashtra because of the unavailability of sufficient doses of vaccine. Tope said the people in the age group of 18 to 44 years will receive free vaccines at state-run centres but citizens will have to pay for the jabs at private facilities. The free vaccination decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray here. The move will put a burden of Rs 6,500 crore on the state’s coffers, Tope said. 10 states account for over 78% of new COVID-19 deaths Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are among the 10 states that account for 78.53 percent of the new COVID-19 deaths reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said. The country saw 3,293 people losing their lives in a span of 24 hours, the highest in a single day so far, pushing the toll to 2,01,187. Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh are the other states in the list of 10. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (895). Delhi follows with 381 daily deaths. The fatalities further include 264 from Uttar Pradesh, 246 from Chhattisgarh, 180 from Karnataka, 170 from Gujarat, 131 from Jharkhand, 121 from Rajasthan and 100 from Punjab. “The National Mortality rate has been falling and currently stands at 1.12 percent,” the ministry said. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan accounted for 73.59 percent of the new cases reported in a day. A record single-day rise of 3,60,960 new cases have been registered in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 66,358. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 32,921 while Kerala reported 32,819 new cases. India’s total active caseload has reached 29,78,709 and now comprises 16.55 percent of the country’s total cases. A net increase of 96,505 cases recorded in the total active caseload in a span of 24 hours. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal cumulatively account for 71.91 percent of India’s total active cases, the ministry said. India’s cumulative recoveries have surged to 1,48,17,371 with 2,61,162 recoveries being registered in a span of 24 hours. Ten states account for 79.01 percent of the new recoveries. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 14.78 crore. Cumulatively, 14,78,27,367 vaccine doses have been administered through 21,18,435 sessions, according to the provisional report till 7 am. These include 93,47,775 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 61,06,237 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,22,21,975 front line workers who have received the first dose and 65,26,378 front line workers have taken the second dose. Besides, 5,10,85,677 and 93,37,292 beneficiaries more than 60 years old have been administered the first dose and second dose, respectively, while 5,02,74,581 and 29,27,452 individuals aged 45 to 60 years have taken the first and second dose, respectively. More than 25 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours. As of Day-102 of the vaccination drive (27 April), 25,56,182 vaccine doses were given. A total of 15,69,000 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 22,989 sessions for the first dose and 9,87,182 beneficiaries received the second dose of the vaccine. With inputs from PTI
Coronavirus Updates: Delhi records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 deaths with 395 fatalities; toll now 15,772
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: This was the eighth day in a row that Delhi has recorded over 300 deaths due to COVID-19, while the city’s positivity rate rose to 32.82%
 "Coronavirus Updates: Delhi records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 deaths with 395 fatalities; toll now 15,772")
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Ashok Gehlot announces incentives for setting up oxygen plants
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced a special package on Thursday with various incentives and facilities on setting up medical oxygen plants in Rajasthan. The decision is aimed at pushing medical oxygen generation in the state amid soaring coronavirus cases in the state.
To get the advantage of the package, investment of Rs 1 crore will be required and the plant will have to generate oxygen by 30 September. Under the package, the project will be exempted from regulatory approvals and inspections for three years as per the provisions of the MSME Act, 2019, a release stated.
The state government will also help in getting necessary approvals from the central government, and early connection of electricity and water will be provided.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
11 districts of Jammu and Kashmir go into lockdown
An 84-hour lockdown began in 11 districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening in a bid to tackle the surge in COVID-19 cases, officials said.
The Union Territory had on Tuesday recorded 3,164 new COVID-19 cases and 25 fresh fatalities, prompting the government to impose a coronavirus curfew.
The curfew came into effect at 7 pm on Thursday and remain in force till 7 am on Monday, they said.
“Eleven districts comprising Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi and Udhampur will be under ‘corona curfew’ from this evening till Monday morning,” the officials said.
In Jammu city, police have put barricades at various places in the city including entry and exit places, they said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Manipur govt declares Greater Imphal area as containment zone for 7 days
The Manipur government on Thursday declared the whole of Greater Imphal area as a containment zone with immediate effect for seven days in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases, an official said.
The order declaring the whole of Greater Imphal area as containment zone was issued by the Home department, the official said.
The Greater Imphal areas comprises of the district of the Imphal West and Imphal East.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Gujarat’s 18-45 age group vaccination drive to start latest by 15 May, says CM
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday made it clear that the COVID-19 vaccination drive for the 18-45 age group in the state will start latest by May 15 instead of the first day of the next month.
Earlier in the day, the state government said that the process to vaccinate people of this age group will begin once it gets a substantial number of vaccines from pharmaceutical companies, which had triggered speculation whether the state would miss the May 1 launch date of the inoculation drive for this category.
The registration process for the vaccination of people from this category has begun in the state. However, the pharma companies to which the state government has given orders for vaccine doses are yet to deliver them.
The Centre had announced that those in 18-45 age group can get vaccines from 1 May.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Current COVID wave is like a ’tsunami,’ says Tamil Nadu official
The initial coronavirus wave witnessed last year was ‘small,’ but the current one was like a ’tsunami’ and a pandemic of such huge proportions can be tackled only with full public cooperation, a top government official said here on Thursday.
The government and the Greater Chennai Corporation have been taking all necessary steps to manage the situation like ensuring availability of beds, medical oxygen and drugs in hospitals, Special Coordinator (COVID-19 management in the metropolis), Principal Secretary to Government, M A Siddique said.
“The previous wave witnessed last year was small, but the one that is coming towards us is like a Tsunami,” he said and pointed to surge in cases in several places including Delhi and Bengaluru.
Through all efforts were being taken by authorities, full public cooperation is needed to tackle the pandemic of such huge proportions, he told reporters.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Record 395 COVID-19 deaths reported in Delhi
The national capital on Thursday recorded 395 deaths due to coronavirus, the highest since the pandemic began a year ago, and 24,235 cases with a positivity rate of 32.82 percent, according to a bulletin issued by the city health department. This was the eighth day in a row that Delhi has recorded over 300 deaths due to COVID-19.
It had reported 368 deaths on Wednesday, 381 on Tuesday, 380 on Monday, 350 on Sunday, 357 deaths on Saturday, 348 on Friday and 306 on last Thursday, according to government data.
Delhi had recorded 25,986 cases on Wednesday, 24,149 on Tuesday, 20,201 on Monday, 22,933 on Sunday, 24,103 on Saturday, 24,331 on Friday and 26,169 on Thursday.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Consider containment measures in high caseload districts, MHA tells states
The Centre directed the states and Union territories on Thursday to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of COVID-19 cases to check the spread of the viral disease.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), however, did not mention anything about the imposition of a lockdown anywhere in the country in the fresh guidelines issued in view of the pandemic for May.
It told the states to take necessary action to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, ambulances, including creation of makeshift hospitals.
The fresh guidelines for COVID-19 management came amid a sudden spike in the number of cases and a shortage of beds, ICUs and oxygen in some parts of the country like Delhi.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Congress’ Pawan Khera tears up, says country won’t forgive for debating exit polls during COVID crisis
During a debate on a news channel, Congress’s Pawan Khera said, " None of us can afford to smile given today’s situation. Given the situation in the country, I dont feel like giving comments on this subject. Today the country is losing against COVID but we are debating who won and lost on exit polls, the country won’t forgive us. Atleast I wont commit this sin."
Pawan Khera ji gets emotional on ABP News and requested the anchor in the situation the nation is going thru, he isn't willing to debate Exit polls. But his willing to sit if he is given space to speak on Covid @Pawankhera @rssurjewala pic.twitter.com/y8JVhHaCSi
— George Kurian (@GeorgekurianINC) April 29, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Weekend curfew imposed in Leh to arrest COVID-19 spread
The Ladakh administration on Thursday announced 56 hour-long weekend curfew from Friday in Leh district in an attempt to control the rising number of COVID-19 cases, reports PTI.
DDMA chairman and Deputy Commissioner Leh Shrikant Suse, notified the imposition of the weekend COVID-19 curfew from 9 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday, as an additional restriction in an attempt to curb the spread of the infection.
Speaking at a press conference, he noted that only certain categories of people will be allowed to move during the restricted period based on the production of valid ID cards.
“These categories include government employees, judicial officers, staff, police, prison, home-guards, civil defence, officials and staff on duty at the airport, disaster management, electricity, water, sanitation, food and civil supplies, telecom service providers, and employees on COVID-19 duties, Suse said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra logs 66,159 COVID-19 cases, 771 deaths
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 66,159 fresh coronavirus cases and 771 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 45,39,553 and the toll to 67,985, the state health department said.
Also, 68,537 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, taking the number of recoveries to 37,99,266, a health department official said.
Maharashtra now has 6,70,301 active cases, he said.
Mumbai recorded 4,174 new cases and 82 deaths, raising the overall tally to 6,44,583 and the toll to 13,036. The Mumbai division, including Mumbai city and its satellite towns, recorded 11,344 fresh cases and 144 deaths, taking the coronavirus caseload to 13,59,739 and the toll to 23,159, the official said.
In the division, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation reported 17 deaths, Thane city 15 and Panvel city 11, the official said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Rahul Gandhi demands free vaccination for all, tweets dictionary meaning of ‘free’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded free COVID-19 vaccination for all Indians on Thursday and put out a tweet with the dictionary meaning and usage of the word “free” to stress his point.
Gandhi and his party have been demanding free COVID-19 vaccination for all citizens. They have also termed the Centre’s new vaccination policy discriminatory.
In a tweet on Thursday, Gandhi further stressed his demand.
free /friː/
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 29, 2021
adjective, adverb
costing nothing, or not needing to be paid for. e.g.-
• India must get free COVID vaccine.
• All citizens must receive the inoculation free of charge.
Let’s hope they get it this time. #vaccine
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
West Bengal reports record 89 single-day deaths, 17,403 new cases
West Bengal on Thursday registered its highest single-day deaths of 89 people due to COVID-19, pushing the toll to 11,248, the health department said. The coronavirus tally topped the 8-lakh-mark to settle at 8,10,955 after 17,403 tested positive in the last 24 hours, it said.
The state now has 1,10,241 active cases, the department said in a bulletin, adding, 12,885 patients recovered since Wednesday. At least 53,724 samples were tested during this period.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Tamil Nadu reports all-time high of 17,858 COVID-19 cases
Tamil Nadu recorded an all-time high of 17,858 new cases of coronavirus in a single day, pushing the total caseload to 11.48 lakh. The toll rose to 13,933 as 107 more died of the virus, a medical bulletin said.
Recoveries on Thursday aggregated to 10.21 lakh with 15,542 patients being discharged, leaving 1,12,556 active infections, it said. The state capital accounted for the bulk of the total cases reported today by adding 5,445 new infections, totaling 3,28,520 till date.
The metropolis also leads in the number of fatalities with 4,701 people succumbing to the virus.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Easy to blame BJP, what was EC doing?: BJP member on holding polls amid pandemic
Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Director of India Foundation, Member of the BJP, in a conversation with NDTV, spoke on where the responsibility lies for the human cost of election campaigning in West Bengal amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is easy to blame the BJP. What was Election Commission doing? They should have had the guts to put their foot down,” NDTV quoted her as saying.
.@OnReality_Check | Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Director of India Foundation, Member of the BJP, on where the responsibility lies for the human cost of election campaigning in West Bengal amid the #COVID19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/KVaC0Uyjc0
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
US advises its citizens in India to leave as soon as it is safe to do so
The US has advised its citizens not to travel to India or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so as access to all types of medical care is becoming severely limited in the country amid a massive surge in COVID-19 cases. The US has put India on Level 4 Travel Advisory, the highest level issued by the Department of State.
The current Level 4 Travel Advisory asks US citizens not to travel to India or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so due to the current health situation in the country.
In a health alert, the US Embassy in New Delhi said: “Access to all types of medical care is becoming severely limited in India due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.”
“We urge US citizens to enrol in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme) at step.state.gov in order to receive critical information from the Embassy related to health and safety in India,” it said.
It asked American citizens to visit the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website for the latest information on travel restrictions.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
UP teachers’ union says 577 teachers died on panchayat poll duty, say reports
As per several reports, Uttar Pradesh Shikshak Mahasangh has claimed that about 577 teachers, who were on Panchayat Poll duties, have so far died due to coronavirus across the state. The Mahasangh has urged the State Election Commission to defer counting on 2 May.
Dinesh Chandra Sharma, president of UP Shikshak Mahasangh (UPSM), told India Today that the unions had given names of 577 basic education teachers from 71 districts who died amid the COVD-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Over 100 journalists have succumbed to COVID-19 since April last year
According to a study conducted by the Delhi-based Institute of Perception Studies, as many as 101 journalists have succumbed to COVID-19 between 1 April, 2020 and 28 April, 2021. Uttar Pradesh has seen the maximum number of verified deaths, followed by Telangana and Maharashtra.
_**Read full report here**_Coronavirus LATEST Updates
One-year-old boy dies waiting for bed outside hospital, says report
According to India Today, a one-year-old boy who had contracted Covid-19 died outside a hospital in Visakhapatnam while waiting for a bed. The incident took place outside the King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam.
Eyewitnesses say the woman tried hard to get a bed for her ill son but to no avail as all beds in the hospital were occupied. She kept pleading to the authorities as her son gasped for breath. Finally, he died inside an ambulance waiting for a hospital bed.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Vaccination in Mumbai shut as city runs out of doses, say reports
As per The Hindu, COVID-19 vaccination in Mumbai to remain shut for the next three days as the city runs out of vaccines. Times Of India, quoting BMC officie, said that the city is expected to face major delays for vaccinating those above 18 years.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
All adults in Delhi to be vaccinated in next three months, says Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says he held a meeting with the officials on COVID-19 vaccination drive in the Capital. “Prepared a plan to vaccinate all above 18 years in the next three months,” he said. “We will set up vaccination centres on a large scale. All eligible people must come forward to get vaccinated.”
Earlier in the day, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain had said the city “does not have vaccine” doses for inoculating people in the 18-44 age group and purchase orders have been placed with manufacturers for the same
Had a meeting with the officials on vaccination drive in Delhi. Prepared a plan to vaccinate all above 18 years in the next 3 months. We will set up vaccination centres on a large scale. All eligible people must come forward to get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/RapPp4fvJf
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 29, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra govt extends lockdown-like curbs till 15 May
The Maharashtra government on Thursday extended till May 15 the existing lockdown-like restrictions enforced to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
An order issued by chief secretary Sitaram Kunte said the decision to extend the restrictions has been taken as the state continued to be threatened with the spread of COVID-19. It was imperative to continue the emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of the virus, he said.
The sweeping curbs on movement of people and a host of other activities, imposed early this month, were to continue till 7 am on May 1. The restrictions were further tightened on April 14 and then last week, brining more activities under their ambit.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC, banning assembly of five or more people at one spot, are in force. Local train services in Mumbai and public transport are open only for essential services staff of the government.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Andhra CM says vaccination for those above 18 yrs to start only from September
As per TheNewsMinute, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the COVID-19 vaccination for people between 18 and 45 years is expected to start only in September, once the vaccination for people above 45 years is completed. “It will take four months to complete the vaccination for people in the age group of 18-45, which means they will be vaccinated by the end of January 2022,” he said. Adding that the present COVID-19 situation is likely to continue till February 2022, he warned people to be cautious.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Over 40 countries offered assistance to India to fight COVID-19, says foreign secretary
Over 40 countries have committed to provide India urgently-required medical supplies like oxygen-related equipment and critical medicines to help it deal with an unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday.
At a media briefing, he said India is looking at getting in the immediate future around 550 oxygen-generating plants, 4,000 oxygen concentrators, over 10,000 oxygen cylinders and 17 cryogenic oxygen tanks, some of which have already arrived.
“We are facing an unprecedented second wave of the pandemic. As of now, we have over three million active cases. This has obviously put considerable pressure on our healthcare system; on the capacities and resources that we have,” he said.
Shringla said the government, in many senses, has been very quick to try and make an assessment of where it has capacity shortfall and based on some of these considerations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been trying to find the most effective means of addressing the resource constraints.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Andhra Pradesh reports over 14,000 new COVID-19 cases, 57 deaths
Andhra Pradesh logged 14,792 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday, taking the tally to 10,84,336, while 57 fatalities pushed the toll to 7928, the state government said. The state has 1,14,158 active cases and over 86,000 samples were tested during the last 24 hrs.
As many as 8,188 people recovered from the disease, pushing the total recoveries to 9,62,250, an official bulletin said. Anatapur, Vizianagaram and West Godavari topped the toll chart with seven casualties each followed by East Godavari with six. Meanwhile, Intelligence Security Wing Superintendent of Police T. Ram Prasad died of COVID-19, on Thursday, official sources said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre revises guidelines for home-isolation
The Union health ministry on Thursday issued revised guidelines for home isolation of patients who have mild coronavirus infection or are asymptomatic.
As per the revised rules, asymptomatic patients are those who are not experiencing any symptoms and having oxygen saturation of more than 94 percent. Mild cases are the ones where patients have upper respiratory tract symptoms or fever without shortness of breath.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Sebi eases various compliance requirements amid second wave of COVID
Sebi on Thursday gave 45 days more for companies to file their fourth-quarter results as well as an additional one-month time to submit their annual results as the regulator eased compliance requirements amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The move comes after the regulator received representations from listed entities, industry associations and market participants requesting an extension of timelines for various filings and relaxation from certain compliance obligations due to the COVID second wave and restrictions imposed by various state governments.
With respect to quarterly financial results, companies have been given 45 days till June 30, 2021 to file their March quarter results, Sebi said in a circular.
-PTI
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Centre says over one crore COVID-19 vaccine doses still available with states
More than 1 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and UTs and they will receive over 20 lakh more doses within the next 3 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.
On media reports quoting some Maharashtra government officials that vaccines in the state are “finished” and adversely impacting the vaccination drive, the ministry said a balance of 7,49,960 vaccine doses is still available with the state for administration to eligible population groups.
“It is clarified that the total COVID vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as on April 29 (at 8 am) are 1,63,62,470.
“Of this, the total consumption, including wastage (0.22 per cent), was 1,56,12,510. Balance of 7,49,960 vaccine doses is still available with the state for administration to the eligible population groups,” the ministry said.
The Centre has so far provided nearly 16.16 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to states and UTs free of cost.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 15,10,77,933 doses, the ministry said.
“More than 1 crore COVID vaccine doses (1,06,08,207) are still available with states and UTs to be administered. More than 20 lakh (20,48,890) vaccine doses will be received in addition by the states and UTs within the next 3 days,” the ministry stated.
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India has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world: Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today said that India has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world and said that the National Mortality Rate has been falling and currently stands at 1.11 percent.
The health minister’s statement comes as a record single-day rise of 3,79,257 COVID-19 infections and 3,645 fatalities on Thursday pushed India’s tally of cases to 1,83,76,524 and death toll to 2,04,832.
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Ashok Gehlot tests positive for COVID, isolates himself
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday tested positive for coronavirus, he said in a tweet. He is, however, asymptomatic. The 69-year-old Congress leader had isolated himself on Wednesday after his wife tested positive,
कोविड टेस्ट करवाने पर आज मेरी रिपोर्ट भी पॉजिटिव आई है। मुझे किसी तरह के लक्षण नहीं हैं और मैं ठीक महसूस कर रहा हूं। कोविड प्रोटोकॉल का पालन करते हुए मैं आइसोलेशन में रहकर ही कार्य जारी रखूंगा।
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 29, 2021
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Eminent poet Kunwar Bechain succumbs to COVID-19
Iconic Hindi poet Dr Kunwar Bechain, who was battling COVID-19, passed away at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida on Thursday, officials said. He was 78.
Bechain and his wife Santosh, both of whom lived in Ghaziabad, had tested positive for coronavirus on April 12 after which they underwent treatment briefly in Delhi and were recently shifted to the Kailash Hospital in Noida.
“He was brought to Kailash Hospital following the intervention of poet Kumar Vishwas and Gautam Buddh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma. He passed away around 12 pm today battling COVID-19,” hospital’s spokesperson V B Joshi told PTI.
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Plea in Jharkhand HC to reduce COVID19 vaccine rates
As per LiveLaw, a plea has been moved before the Jharkhand High Court to reduce the prices of COVID-19 vaccines by invoking Section 3 of Essential Commodities Act and National Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The plea further sought to reduce the price to Rs 150 per dose
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Relatives of deceased COVID patients attack hospital staff in UP’s Budaun
The relatives of two deceased COVID-19 patients attacked the staff of a local hospital in Budaun district on Thursday claiming that the deaths occurred due to shortage of oxygen, a charge denied by the local administration.
Similar scenes of chaos played out in neighbouring Ballia district where family members of a COVID-19 patient vandalised the local hospital superintendent’s office due to alleged non-availability of adequate oxygen, officials said.
A record single-day rise of 298 COVID-19 fatalities in Uttar Pradesh pushed the death toll to 12,241 on Thursday, while the infection tally mounted to 12,17,955 with 35,156 fresh cases.
In Budaun district — around 290 km from state capital Lucknow Sultan Singh (55) and Ajit Kumar Dubey (48) were admitted to the local hospital on Thursday but died shortly afterwards following which their family members created ruckus claiming that there was shortage of oxygen.
PTI
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Vaccines not available anywhere in Kashmir, alleges Omar Abdullah
Taking to Twitter, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah alleged that vaccines were not available anywhere in Kashmir. “It’s quite pointless asking people to amplify the benefits of getting vaccinated if vaccines aren’t available,” he said.
Photos courtesy @MehrajMir_ pic.twitter.com/ND3EWoEC0o
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 29, 2021
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“Delhi govt data shows beds available, yet people cannot find beds?’: Youth Congress leader
Youth Congress leader Srinivas BC alleged that data given by Delhi government on availability of hospital beds in incorrect. “Delhi government says there are over 6708 COVID beds are available in Delhi. Yet people are dying in search of a ventilator/ICU/oxygen bed in Delhi, then where are these beds available?”, he asked in a tweet.
Health Bulletin Dt. 28-04-2021 released by Delhi Govt says there are over 6708 COVID beds are available in Delhi.
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) April 29, 2021
People are dying in search of a ventilator/ICU/oxygen bed in Delhi, then where are these beds available? pic.twitter.com/23QKZtH3Sr
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Bharat Biotech reduces vaccine price for states to Rs 400
Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that it has reduced the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, for state governments from Rs 600 to Rs 400 per dose, the vaccine-maker said in a statement today. The cost of the COVID-19 vaccine for private hospitals is changed to Rs 1,200 per dose.
Bharat Biotech - COVAXIN® Announcement - April 29, 2021 pic.twitter.com/RgnROIfUCe
— Bharat Biotech (@BharatBiotech) April 29, 2021
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Inoculation drive may be delayed for 18-44 in AP, Telangana following vaccine shortage
Hit by shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh may not be able to start the mass immunisation for those aged between 18 and 44 from May 1, official sources in both states told PTI on Thursday.
A senior official of Telangana health department said though the state government is in touch with vaccine manufacturers, there is no certainty on when the stocks would be available for the mass vaccination.
“There are no possibilities (of vaccination).We are in the process of getting a vaccine where there is no vaccine available in the country.We are in touch with the manufacturers also,” Telangana Public Health Director G Srinivasa Rao told PTI. “We are in search of the vaccine.We require around four crore doses,” he said.
He said the vaccine manufacturers also could not assure the state government as to when they will be able to supply stocks.
The vaccine rates have been fixed by the Centre and accordingly, the state will have to place their requirements with the manufacturers, he added.
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PM to chair Union Cabinet meeting at 11 am tomorrow, say reports
As per reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chair the Union Cabinet meeting via video conference at 11 am tomorrow to review the coronavirus situation in the country.
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Manmohan Singh discharged from AIIMS
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh was on Thursday discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi. He was admitted to the facility after testing positive for COVID-19.
Sources close to the Congress leader said he was doing fine. Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on April 19 after he had fever and tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection.
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States have enough vaccine doses, says Harsh Vardhan
On shortage of vaccines, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan says that the Centre has given 16 crore coronavirus vaccine shots to states and 15 crores doses have been administered so far, reports ANI. This means that there are one crore doses left with states, he says.
“Some lakh doses are in pipeline and will be delivered in next 2-3 days,” Vardhan adds. “Since [the] beginning of vaccination, not a single day has passed when states were not given vaccine doses as per their capacity.”
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HC says order on taking over oxygen plant by Delhi govt not to impact Haryana’s supply
The Delhi High Court made it clear on Thursday that its order on the Delhi government taking over the supervision of an oxygen refiller plant, which also supplies to neighbouring states, will not adversely affect the oxygen supply to Haryana.
The court’s order came on an application filed by the Haryana government seeking clarification regarding the April 27 order of taking over charge of Seth Air’ which is situated in Palwal and supplies oxygen cylinders in Delhi and Haryana.
“We make it clear that the direction to take over supervision of Seth Air’ plant by officers of Delhi government would not have adversarial effects in the supply of oxygen to Haryana in terms of the allocation. Application is disposed of,” a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said.
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