Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The CISCE on Friday deferred the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board examinations in view of the new COVID-19 wave across the country. The exams were scheduled to be held from 4 May, 2021. The Election Commission (EC) on Friday curtailed the hours allowed for campaigning in West Bengal in view of the COVID-19 wave in the state and across the country. The move comes in the backdrop of Opposition parties asking the poll panel to club the remaining three phases of the Assembly election. “There shall not be any campaign between 7 pm and 10 am on campaigning days. Silence period extended from 48 hours to 72 hours in each of the remaining three phases in West Bengal,” the statement said. Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday tweeted that he had contracted the COVID-19 virus, and advised all those who had come in contact with him to get tested. Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “I request you to instruct the concerns officials of Health Ministry to supply 60 lakh doses of vaccine to my state.” Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said, “Congress president Smt. Sonia Gandhi has rightly said that we politicians are also to be blamed to some extent for the spread of Corona infection. Now a new Corona variant has appeared and there is frightening situation in the country.” His comment came after he announced the weekend curfew in the state and urged citizens to cooperate with the state government and follow all relevant Covid-19-appropriate protocols. The Karnataka chief minister will be shifted to Manipal hospital from Ramaiah Memorial hospital in Bengaluru where he was admitted earlier on Friday following a fever. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 65.86 percent of India’s total active COVID-19 cases, the Union health ministry said on Friday. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 61,695. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 22,339 while, Delhi reported 16,699 new cases. As the number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate continue to rise in the city, Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a curfew this weekend till 30 April as part of restrictions to curb the spread of virus. Registering a steady increase for the 37th day in a row, the active COVID-19 cases have increased to 15,69,743, comprising 10.98 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate dropped to 87.80 percent. With the death of 1,185 more COVID-19 patients in the country, the total number of fatalities climbed to 1,74,308 on Friday, said the Union health ministry. India registered 2,17,353 fresh COVID-19 infections in a day, taking the overall count over 1.42 crore as on Friday, said the Union health ministry. The Congress leader advised all those who came in contact with him in the last five days to self isolate and take necessary precautions. In just a matter of weeks, Delhi has become the worst-hit city in the country in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a situation that some doctors are describing as an “absolute rampage”. On Thursday, Delhi recorded 16,699 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 112 fatalities taking the positivity rate to 20.22 percent, the highest ever since the start of the pandemic, according to data shared by the health department. The previous highest positivity rate till the third wave, was on 14 November last year at 15.33 percent. With an exponential rise in cases, the National Capital has left far behind the financial capital Mumbai, which at one point was the largest COVID hotspot in the country. Mumbai’s single day peak so far has been 11,163 cases, registered on 4 April, according to officials figures. “It is an absolute rampage in the city. Young and old, vaccinated or not vaccinated, the virus is just hitting everyone. Delhi’s situation is grim,” said Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant at Apollo Hospital. While Delhi’s numbers were lower than on Wednesday, that was because it conducted much fewer tests about 20,000 less, leading to a positivity rate of 20.22 percent. On Wednesday, Bengaluru recorded 8,155 cases and Chennai 2,564 cases, their highest daily surge. Pune’s highest single-day since the pandemic began was 12,494 cases, recorded on 4 April. The unprecedented surge in cases, especially in the last few days, has left other doctors and medical experts baffled, with some conjecturing that the virus has mutated and assumed so many different strains, some of which are far more infectious than others. “Given the surge in cases in the last few days, it is an absolute rampage. We will have to watch for the next few days, as far as hitting the peak of the wave here is concerned,” said Dr Avdhesh Bansal, a pulmonologist at the Apollo hospital. “Also, in this wave, the severity is such that in many cases, either majority of family members or all family members are getting infected,” he added. He also felt that vaccination for the general masses “started a bit late” and many frontline workers did not opt for the vaccine, leading to its “wastage”. “Early vaccination could have given a protective layer to large number of general masses,” the doctor said. He said about two percent of the people admitted to hospital are dying. The other reason for the surge was the carelessness of people who assumed the pandemic was over when Delhi’s numbers went down dramatically in February. A Delhi government hospital doctor, on the condition of anonymity, said, “people had thrown caution to the wind, and were socialising and partying with gay abandon again. This has led to the surge too”. Bansal also expressed worry about the huge number of people testing positive from the Kumbh Mela area in Haridwar, who run the risk of infecting others. Over 1,700 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from 10 to 14 April confirming fears that one of the world’s largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases. The previous highest single-day spike in Delhi till the third wave of the pandemic - 8,593 cases - was reported on 11 November in 2020, while on 18 November, the city had recorded 131 COVID-19 deaths, the highest single-day fatality count till date. That figure was surpassed on 11 April when 10,774 cases were recorded. Since then Delhi has been on an upward spiral with 13,468 cases on Tuesday, and eventually 17,282 cases on Wednesday. Compare that with the situation in March: Delhi had registered 23,141 cases and 117 deaths that month. In comparison, Mumbai had 88,710 cases and 216 fatalities in March. Richa Sareen, consultant, pulmonology at Fortis Hospital here, said, “Given the pace of spread, it definitely seems there is a different variant in circulation and it is more infectious than the previous one.” She said the younger population was getting more infected as elderly have mostly got vaccinated, and the older population is more at home. But the younger people have been going out and meeting others or socialising, partying or travelling, which increases the chance of infection, Sareen said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: ICSE class 10, 12 exams deferred due to COVID-19 surge, new dates likely to be announced in June
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: The ICSE and ISC exams were scheduled to be held from 4 May, 2021 read more
 "Coronavirus LIVE Updates: ICSE class 10, 12 exams deferred due to COVID-19 surge, new dates likely to be announced in June")
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Tripura schools, colleges to shut from tomorrow
“Classes of schools, colleges and universities in the state remain suspended from 17 April as a precautionary measure,” Tripura education minister Ratanlal Nath was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Haryana shuts schools till 30 April
The Haryana government on Friday announced the closure of schools till 10 April in view of the COVID-19 surge, The Times of India reported. The government also “issued consolidated guidelines to contain virus spread”.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi records 19,486 new COVID-19 cases
Delhi recorded 19,486 new COVID-19 cases, 141 deaths and 12,649 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 8,03,623
Active cases: 61,005
Total recoveries: 7,30,825
Death toll: 11,793
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Mohan Bhagwat discharged from hospital
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was on Friday discharged from the hospital after being treated for COVID-19. He was receiving treatement at the Kingsway Hospital.
A medical bulletin by Director, Medical Services of the hospital Shubhrajit Dasgupta was quoted by The Indian Express said, “All his vital parameters like pulse, blood pressure, respiration, oxygenation were normal. All blood investigation including markers were normal today. The attending doctors have decided discharge today. He had a good sleep and had his usual diabetic high protein diet. His blood sugar levels are within control and was able to perform 6 minute walk test on room air. He has been examined in the morning by Dr Rajan Barodkar and his tean expressed satisfaction with his condition. Team of attending doctors have decided to discharge him today with advice to remain in home quarantine for next five days.”
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
COVID-19 caseload in Kerala crosses 12 lakh
Kerala recorded 10,031 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the overall tally in the state beyond the 12 lakh-mark.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Twenty-four test COVID-19 positive at Kumbh Mela today
Haridwar chief medical officer Dr SK Jha on Friday said that 24 people who attended Kumbh Mela have tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. “So far, 54 saints tested positive for the disease,” Jha was quoted as saying by ANI.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
ICSE, ISC board exams postponed
The CISCE on Friday deferred the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board examinations in view of the new COVID-19 wave across the country. The exams were scheduled to be held from 4 May, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
EC curtails campaign hours, extends silence period in Bengal in view of COVID-19
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday curtailed the hours allowed for campaigning in West Bengal in view of the COVID-19 wave in the state and across the country. The move comes in the backdrop of Opposition parties asking the poll panel to club the remaining three phases of the Assembly election.
“There shall not be any campaign between 7 pm and 10 am on campaigning days. Silence period extended from 48 hours to 72 hours in each of the remaining three phases in West Bengal,” the statement said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
COVID-19 protocol biggest social tool to break the chain of transmission: Harsh Vardhan
People have adopted a casual approach towards the COVID-19 pandemic which is very dangerous, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday and stressed that COVID appropriate behaviour is the biggest social tool to break the chain of transmission. He made the remarks after visiting the AIIMS Trauma Centre here to assess the healthcare infrastructure in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases.
In order to encourage the public from following COVID appropriate behaviour (CAB) in the quest for a coronavirus-free environment, the minister put out statistics that demonstrate the diligence of the general public along with the hard-work of healthcare and frontline workers.
India has 52 districts with no fresh cases in seven days, 34 districts with no fresh cases in 14 days, four districts with no fresh cases in 21 days and 44 districts with no fresh cases in 28 days, a health ministry statement quoted Vardhan as saying.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
TMC seeks clubbing of last three phases of polls at all-party meet with EC
The Trinamool Congress on Friday sought clubbing of the last three phases of the West Bengal Assembly elections after the fifth round on Saturday considering the alarming COVID-19 situation in the state. After Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on the previous day suggested the idea of conducting polls for the remaining phases at one go, TMC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee sought clubbinbg of the last three rounds of voting into one at a meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab in Kolkata.
Emerging from an all-party meeting called by the CEO, Chatterjee said that in order to save the lives of people and to control COVID-19 infections while allowing candidates ample time for campaigning, a balance has to be drawn by the Election Commission.
“We have told the commission that in order to give the people proper healthcare facilities amid COVID situation, the last three phases may be clubbed into one, while ensuring that the democratic rights of the people are upheld,” Chatterjee told reporters.
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Centre says COVAXIN production will be ‘doubled’ by June 2021
“The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin vaccine will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021,” the government said in a statement quoted by The Times of India on Friday.
India is currently producing two vaccines: COVAXIN, which is being developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech, and COVISHIELD, which was developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
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AAP demands account of money collected in Punjab CM COVID Relief Fund
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday demanded that Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh give an account of the money collected in the Punjab CM Covid Relief Fund. AAP state president and MP Bhagwant Mann also sought details of where the funds had been spent so far.
The Punjab Chief Minister Covid Relief Fund was set up by the state government in March last year for the welfare of people in distress due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The money of the public cannot be kept secret. Amarinder Singh should give an account of the money collected in the Covid relief fund,” Mann said in a statement.
It has been more than a year since COVID-19 came to the country and even the first wave of the pandemic has passed but the state government hospitals do not have an adequate number of ventilators yet, he claimed. He added, “To counter the second wave properly, the number of beds in hospitals has also not been increased yet. When the government has not done anything, the question arises that what did it do with the crores of rupees collected in the name of Covid relief fund.”
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Prakash Javadekar tests COVID-19 positive
Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday tweeted that he had contracted the COVID-19 virus, and advised all those who had come in contact with him to get tested.
I have tested #COVID positive today. All those who have come in contact with me in the last 2-3 days may please get themselves tested.
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) April 16, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre tells states to ensure no restrictions on movement of medical oxygen
The Centre on Friday instructed all states/UTs “that no restriction must be imposed on the movement of medical oxygen between the states/ UTs and transport authorities instructed to accordingly allow free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles,” The Times of India reported.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Only 700 vaccination centres operating currently, says Odisha govt
“We are running short of vaccines. We don’t have enough stock to run all 1,500 vaccination sites across Odisha. With this stock, only 700 vaccination sites are possible to operate,” said Bijay Panigrahi, who is the Odisha COVID-19 vaccination in-charge.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Andhra Pradesh latest state to demand additional vaccine doses
Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “I request you to instruct the concerns officials of Health Ministry to supply 60 lakh doses of vaccine to my state.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "I request you to instruct the concerns officials of Health Ministry to supply 60 lakh doses of vaccine to my state." pic.twitter.com/xQPgjRsUQ3
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Politicians are also to blame for new wave, says Ashok Gehlot
Congress president Smt. Sonia Gandhi has rightly said that we politicians are also to be blamed to some extent for the spread of Corona infection. Now a new Corona variant has appeared and there is frightening situation in the country.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 16, 2021
3/3
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
People flouting curbs to be tested for COVID-19 in Aurangabad
The civic body in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city has appointed 12 teams to take action against people roaming around in public without any valid reason despite the COVID-19 curbs, an official said on Friday. As a deterrent, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will make violators undergo COVID-19 tests, municipal commissioner Astik Kumar said in a tweet.
The AMC has formed 12 teams, which will keep moving in the city with the police, and anyone found roaming in public places without a valid reason will be forced to undergo COVID-19 tests, Pandey tweeted.
The teams will work in two shifts and (9 am to 9 pm and 5 pm to 1 am) under the jurisdiction of various police stations, he said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Five election candidates test COVID-19 positive in Bengal
At least five candidates of different parties contesting the ongoing Assembly election in West Bengal have tested positive for COVID-19, a health department official said on Friday.
Out of the five candidates who tested positive, three are from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and one each from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said.
According to an official at the CEO, “The candidates who tested positive must immediately stop campaigning. Either they should isolate themselves at their homes or get themselves hospitalised depending on severity of the infection,” he said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Embarrassment for BMC as Jaslok Hospital says it will treat non-COVID patients as well
The Mumbai civic body’s plan to convert the Jaslok Hospital into a dedicated facility for coronavirus patients seems to have hit a roadblock with the hospital saying that it would continue to treat other critically ill non-COVID patients as well.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had on Wednesday issued a circular, in which it had said that the Jaslok Hospital will no longer admit non-COVID-19 patients and added that instructions to this effect had been issued to the hospital’s management. It had taken this decision in view of the spike in infection cases in the city.
However, the hospital issued a statement late night on Thursday, saying that it has increased the number of beds for coronavirus patients, but it would continue to treat other critically-ill patients also.
– PTI
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PM takes comprehensive review to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a detailed review of current situation of oxygen supply and projected use in coming 15 days across 12 high-burden states, officials said.
He briefed about production capacity of medical oxygen to meet rising demand. He suggested increasing oxygen production as per the capacity of each plant. The prime minister asked officials during review to ensure seamless, free movement of tankers carrying oxygen throughout country.
Officials during the review meeting, briefed him about efforts being made to import medical grade oxygen.
– PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Chandigarh to impose night curfew till 5 am on Monday
Weekend curfew will be imposed in Chandigarh from Friday 10 pm to Monday 5 am, ANI reported. Only essential services will be allowed. The order will come into effect from tonight.
The decision was taken on Friday in a high-level meeting of Chandigarh Administration.
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BS Yediyurappa tests positive for COVID-19
Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa has tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday, ANI reported. “He’ll be shifted to Manipal hospital from Ramaiah Memorial hospital where he was admitted earlier today,” said Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office.
Earlier on Friday, he had conducted an emergency meeting over COVID-19 situation in the state.
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Fifteen-day-old infant dies of COVID-19 in Surat
A 15-day-old baby girl, who was born to a COVID-19 patient, succumbed to coronavirus at a hospital in Gujarat’s Surat city, an official said on Friday.
The infant was born with the infection on 1 April, as her mother had also contracted the disease, a statement issued by Diamond Hospital said.
While the child’s mother was shifted to another hospital, the newborn was under intensive treatment and was also administered remdesivir injection when her condition started deteriorating, it was stated.
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Set helplines to inform about bed availability in Delhi: Anil Baijal to officers
In the wake of an exponential rise in coronavirus cases in Delhi, Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Friday directed officers to set up helplines that inform availability of beds in hospitals besides establishing help desks to assist patients and attendants, an official said.
Baijal, who reviewed the enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour, said that concerted and coordinated efforts are required from all agencies and stakeholders to contain the surge of coronavirus in the National Capital.
The lieutenant governor also directed officers to ensure aggressive deployment and enforcement in areas in peak hours.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra reports highest COVID-19 daily deaths at 349
Ten states account for 85.40 percent of the new COVID-19 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, said the health ministry on Friday. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties with 349 followed by Chhattisgarh with 135 daily deaths.
Ten states and UTs have not reported any COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours. These are Ladakh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Digvijaya Singh tests positive for COVID-19
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday and asked all those who came in contact with him to isolate themselves. “My COVID-19 test report is positive. I have presently quarantined myself at my Delhi residence. Those who came in my contact should isolate themselves and keep a watch on their health by taking all precautions,” the Rajya Sabha member said in a tweet
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Harsh Vardhan to hold COVID-19 review meet for states with highest cases tomorrow
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will chair a meeting on Saturday with the health ministers of states reporting maximum COVID-19 cases in the country. “On Monday, we will hold a virtual meeting all AIIMS hospitals across the country to discuss ramping up of facilities,” said Vardhan.
Companies manufacturing COVID19 drug Remdesivir have been asked to ramp up production. I assure you that strict action will be taken against those who are involved in black marketing of the drug and other malpractices: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan pic.twitter.com/fDQSvHJm4c
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Five states account for 65.86% of India’s active caseload
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 65.86 percent of India’s total active COVID-19 cases, the Union health ministry said on Friday.
India’s total active cases has increased to 15,69,743 and now comprises 10.98 percent of the country’s total infections. A net increase of 97,866 cases have been recorded in the total active case tally in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra alone accounts for 39.60 percent of the total active cases in the country, the ministry said
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra, UP, Delhi and 7 more states account for nearly 80% of new cases
Ten states comprising Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have shown a steep rise in daily new COVID-19 cases accounting for 79.10 percent of the new infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
India’s daily new cases continue to climb as a record 2,17,353 new infections have been registered in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 61,695. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 22,339 while, Delhi reported 16,699 new cases.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre to review COVID-19 situation in UP, Chhattisgarh
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Friday will review the COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in separate meetings, officials said.
This comes a day after the two top officials of the central government reviewed the coronavirus situation in Madhya Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh had on Thursday reported 104 COVID-19 deaths and 22,439 fresh cases, pushing the fatality count to 9,480 and the total infection number to 7,66,360.
Chhattisgarh saw its highest single-day spike of 15,256 coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising its tally to 5,01,500. With 135 deaths due to the viral infection recorded during the day, the statewide toll mounted to 5,442.
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ASI shuts all its monuments till 15 May
The ASI decided to shut all its monuments, museums and protected sites including Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s tomb till 15 May as a precautionary measure.
“Due to prevailing Covid situation, it has been decided to close all the centrally protected monuments/ sites and museums under Archaeological Survey of India with immediate effect and till 15 May 2021 or until further orders,” said the order issued by NK Pathak, director (monuments), ASI.
The ASI manages and protects 3,691 monuments and in Delhi, there are about 170 historical structures with Archeology Survey of India.
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Manish Sisodia appointed nodal minister for COVID management in Delhi
Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been appointed as the Nodal Minister for COVID management and shall be responsible for inter-ministerial coordination till further orders.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting over the COVID-19 situation today. Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other senior officials will be present at the meet.
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Night curfew to continue in 7 Karnataka districts: BS Yediyurappa
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said night curfew will continue in seven districts of the state and a call on extension will be taken on 20 April. “Cases have increased, but the scenario in our state is different. As far as COVID-19 is concerned, appropriate action will be taken to curb it in the state,” he said.
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Uddhav Thackeray to take stock of COVID situation through virtual meet
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will chair a meeting through video conferencing later today to assess the COVID-19 situation in the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and also to take an update on BMC’s pre-monsoon preparations.
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Centre containing COVID through ‘Tughlaqi lockdown’: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took dig at central government, says its strategy to fight COVID-19 pandemic consists of imposing ‘Tughlaqi lockdown, ringing bells and singing praises to Lord’
केंद्र सरकार की कोविड रणनीति-
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 16, 2021
स्टेज 1- तुग़लक़ी लॉकडाउन लगाओ।
स्टेज 2- घंटी बजाओ।
स्टेज 3- प्रभु के गुण गाओ।
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COVID negative report mandatory to enter Manipur
The Manipur government has made it mandatory for people entering the state to produce COVID-19 negative report.
The state reported 8 new cases and 10 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Will take call on extension of night curfew on 20 April: Yediyurappa
Night curfew will continue in seven districts. Cases have increased, we have collected all information. We will take a call on extension of night curfew on 20 April, till then the existing restrictions will continue, said Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa.
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Former CBI director dies of COVID-19
Former CBI director Ranjit Sinha died on Friday morning in what is believed to be a COVID-19 related death, senior officials said. He was 68. “It is understood that he was confirmed positive for coronavirus on Thursday night,” the officials said.
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Active COVID-19 cases rise for 37th straight day, comprise 10.98% of overall count
Registering a steady increase for the 37th day in a row, the active COVID-19 cases have increased to 15,69,743, comprising 10.98 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate dropped to 87.80 percent.
The active caseload was at its lowest at 1,35,926 on 12 February and it was at its highest at 10,17,754 on 18 September, 2020.
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India’s active COVID-19 caseload nearly 15.7 lakh
India’s COVID-19 active caseload on Friday rose to 15,69,743, which now comprises 10.98 percent of the total infections. A total of 2,17,353 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 1,74,308 with 1,185 daily new fatalities, the health ministry data updated at 8 am showed.
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Three people arrested in Kanpur for black marketing Remdesvir injections
Three people, including two medical representatives, were arrested in Kanpur for allegedly black marketing Remdesivir injections, the Uttar Pradesh Police said on Friday.
A total of 265 Remdesivir injections, used in the treatment of COVID-19, were seized from their possession, a senior UP Police Special Task Force official said.
The injections were meant for back marketing, he added.
The three persons were arrested on Thursday in a joint operation by the Kanpur Police and the STF after a tip-off regarding black marketing of Remdesivir injections, the official said.
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Telangana reports 3,840 new COVID-19 cases, nine deaths
The surge in COVID-19 cases in Telangana continued with 3,840 fresh infections pushing the tally to 3,41,885, the government said on Friday. The toll rose to 1,797 with nine more fatalities, a bulletin said providing details as of 8 pm on 15 April.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 505, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (407) and Nizamabad (303).
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More than 1,180 COVID-19 deaths in a day
With the death of 1,185 more COVID-19 patients in the country, the total number of fatalities climbed to 1,74,308 on Friday, said the Union health ministry.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
India sees over 2.17 lakh new COVID-19 cases
India registered 2,17,353 fresh COVID-19 infections in a day, taking the overall count over 1.42 crore as on Friday, said the Union health ministry.
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Jignesh Mewani tests positive for coronavirus
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani is in home isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 and advised all those who came in contact to get tested.
“My heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff, the doctors and other frontliners who are doing an unbelievable job in this time, risking their own lives, losing their sleep and mental peace. True heroes!” he tweeted.
I have tested positive for #COVID19. My health is stable for now and I am recovering in isolation.
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) April 16, 2021
I request everyone who came in my contact to get themselves tested. And my humble request to you to wear your masks, stay home as much as possible and maintain social distance.
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Central ministries relax norms for office attendance in view of rising COVID-19 cases
Various government offices have offered relaxations to the employees from attending office, up to a certain level, and asked them to follow staggered office timings, in the wake of COVID-19 situation, ANI reported.
“Officers of the level of Under Secretary and Section Officer will attend office with 50 percent attendance with staggered timings on rotational bases,” read the statement.
Various government offices give relaxations to the employees from attending office, up to a certain level, and ask them to follow staggered office timings, in the wake of #COVID19 situation. pic.twitter.com/0H700HDnPR
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021
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Randeep Singh Surjewala tests COVID-19 positive
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday. “Anyone who has come in contact with me in the last five days, please self isolate and take necessary precautions,” said Surjewala.
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Over 26.34 cr COVID-19 samples tested so far: ICMR
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as many as 26,34,76,625 COVID-19 samples have been tested till 15 April with 14,73,210 samples being tested alone on Thursday.
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At least 30 seers test COVID-19 positive at Haridwar Kumbh over 5 days
A total of 30 seers have tested positive for COVID19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area confirming fears that one of the world’s largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases.
“Medical teams are going to akharas and RT-PCR tests of sadhus are being done continuously. The process will be further quickened from 17 April,” said Dr SK Jha, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Yediyurappa to hold COVID-19 review meet today
Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa has called an emergency meeting at his residence on Friday, to review the COVID-19 situation in the state, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
More than 2,400 booked for night curfew violations in Delhi
Over 2,400 people were booked for allegedly violating the night curfew imposed by the Delhi government amid a surge in coronavirus cases, police said on Thursday.
According to data shared by the police, 143 cases were registered from 10 pm on Wednesday to 5 am on Thursday.
“A total of 2,484 people were booked under sections 65 (persons bound to comply with the reasonable directions of a police officer) of the Delhi Police Act, 107 (security for keeping the peace in other cases) and 151 (arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences) of the CrPC,” Delhi Police Additional PRO Anil Mittal said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi becomes worst COVID-hit city, records 16,699 fresh cases
In just a matter of weeks, Delhi has become the worst-hit city in the country in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a situation that some doctors are describing as an “absolute rampage”.
On Thursday, Delhi recorded 16,699 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 112 fatalities taking the positivity rate to 20.22 percent, the highest ever since the start of the pandemic, according to data shared by the health department.
The previous highest positivity rate till the third wave, was on 14 November last year at 15.33 percent.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Weekend curfew in Rajasthan from 6 pm today to Monday 5 am
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday night announced a weekend curfew in the state from 6 pm on 16 April to 5 am on 19 April, in view of rising COVID-19 cases.
The chief minister took to Twitter to announce the fresh restrictions and appealed to people to follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour at all times.
The decision comes on day that saw Rajasthan register 33 COVID-19 deaths and a record 6,658 new cases of the disease.
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