Coronavirus LATEST Updates: In view of a spike in COVID-19 cases, a tender will be floated to import 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of medical oxygen, while its sources and production capacity has been mapped to match the requirement of 12-high burden states, the Centre said on Thursday. Uttarakhand registers a record of 2,220 new cases on Thursday, taking its total count of infections since the beginning of the pandemic in January last year to 1,16,244, PTI reports. Delhi recorded 16,699 fresh COVID-19 cases with a sharp rise in the positivity rate to over 20 per cent, and 112 fatalities on Thursday, according to data shared by the health department. As per the latest data, Maharashtra has reported 61,695 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state’s tally to 36,39,855. The state also logged in 53,335 recoveries and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours. Night curfew will return to all over Odisha and weekend shutdown will be clamped in urban centres in 10 districts bordering Chhattisgarh The Centre has decided to postpone the NEET PG 2021 exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on 18 April in view of the surging COVID-19 cases across India. The International Baccalaureate (IB) on Thursday cancelled its examinations across the country following a surge in COVID-19 cases. Uttar Pradesh on Thursday reported 114 coronavirus deaths and 22,439 fresh cases, its record daily infection numbers since the outbreak of the pandemic, according to an official. Kerala Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time in seven months. India’s drug regulator will make a decision on applications seeking approval for restricted emergency use of foreign-produced vaccines within three working days from the date of submission, the government said on Thursday. A total of 1,701 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from April 10 to 14 confirming fears that one of the world’s largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases. All schools in Uttar Pradesh will be closed till May 15 while board exams for classes 10 and 12 have been postponed till May 20 in view of rising COVID-19 cases, the state government said on Thursday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has written a letter to the Centre, urging to consider the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural calamity, so that the government can use the state disaster response fund (SDRF) to provide financial assistance to the affected people. Meanwhile, the Gujarat CMO tweeted that the state government has decided to postpone the Class 10,12 board exams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and added that new dates will be announced after reviewing the coronavirus situation on 15 May. A total of 1,701 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. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announces weekend curfew in Delhi to curb COVD-19 spread, essential services to be allowed during curfew. Kejriwal informed that curfew passes to be issued to those rendering essential services. The decision by the CBSE was taken after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While CBSE has canceled the class 10 exams, the exams for class 12 have been postponed till further notice. On Thursday, it was the fifth straight day of India recording over 1.5 lakh new cases and the ninth straight of over one lakh cases. While the United States took 21 days to reach the daily count of two lakh daily cases from one lakh per day, India reached that grim milestone in just 11 days. In a record high, India on Thursday registered 2,00,739 fresh COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours, taking the overall count over 1.40 crore, said the Union health ministry. With the death of over 1,038 new COVID-19 patients, the total fatalities rose to 1,73,123 on Thursday, said the Union health ministry in its latest data. India’s tally of more than 1.4 crore COVID-19 cases is the second-highest globally, behind the United States and ahead of Brazil’s. Asserting that the government is committed to ensuring adequate availability of COVID-19 vaccines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for harnessing the combined power of community groups, political parties and NGOs in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Interacting with governors and lieutenant governors of all states and union territories through video conference, Modi urged them to actively engage in ensuring that social institutions collaborate seamlessly with state governments. Modi said the feeling of “Janbhagidari” (people’s participation) that was seen in curbing the virus last year needed to encouraged now as well and added the role of governors becomes all the more critical to achieving this. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also participated in the virtual interaction on the issue of the COVID-19 situation and ongoing vaccination drive in the country. It took place amid an astronomical rise in the COVID infections across the country in the last few weeks that has seen India gallop past its last year peak with a number of states reporting new highs daily. In his comments, Modi asserted that the government is committed to ensuring adequate availability of vaccines and highlighted that India has become the fastest nation to reach the landmark of 10 crore vaccinations. Noting the positive impact of “tika utsav” (vaccination festival) in the last four days, he said that in this period, the vaccination drive was expanded and new vaccination centres also came up. “Narendra Modi suggested that governors can actively engage to ensure that social institutions collaborate seamlessly with the state governments towards micro containment. He said their social network can help ensure an increase in the capacity of ambulances, ventilators and oxygen in hospitals. Along with spreading the message about vaccination and treatment, governors can also spread awareness about AYUSH-related remedies,” an official statement said. The prime minister noted that youths being our workforce are an important part of the economy, and said it is important to ensure that they follow all protocols and precautions. Governors’ role is also critical in ensuring the greater engagement of our students in university campuses towards this “Janbhagidari”. There is a need to focus on better utilization of facilities at university and college campuses, he said, adding that like the last year NCC and NSS have a key role to play this year as well. “Governors are an important pillar of Janbhagidari in this battle and their coordination with state governments and guidance to the institutions of state will further strengthen the nation’s resolve,” he said. Discussing the rise in the cases, Modi said the country stands to gain from the last year’s experience and improved healthcare capacity. The country has become “aatmanirbhar” (self-reliant) in kits and other material related to testing, he asserted, adding that this has led to a reduction in the cost of RTPCR tests also. Most of the products related to testing are also available on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal. “The prime minister emphasized the significance of increasing tracking, tracing and testing, and said that RTPCR testing needs to be increased from 60 percent to 70 percent. He said that it is pertinent to ensure that more and more people get tested,” the statement said. During the interaction, Naidu appreciated the prime minister for leading the fight against COVID-19 and his proactive steps to develop the infrastructure required to tackle the pandemic. He also highlighted the scientific community’s contribution in giving a vaccine to India and the whole world. The Vice President called upon the governors to bring up a coordinated front by leading all-party meetings in their respective states and engaging with civil society organisations to spread awareness about Covid-appropriate behaviour. He said that a ‘Team India spirit’ cutting across policy lines should be adopted, and in this regard, governors as the ‘Guardians of the State’ could guide the state governments. Union home minister stressed the importance of saving each and every life. Union Health Secretary gave a presentation on COVID-19 cases and vaccination drive, providing an overview of how India has followed a proactive and preemptive approach in this endeavour. The governors shared details of how their respective states are tackling the spread of the virus and coordinating activities towards ensuring a smooth implementation of the vaccination drive, while also mentioning the deficiencies of healthcare facilities in the states. They gave suggestions for further improvement in the efforts and shared plans of how ‘Janbhagidari’ can be increased through the active social engagement of various groups.
Coronavirus Updates: In view of COVID-19 case surge, tender to be floated to import 50,000 MT of medical oxygen, says Centre
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: The Union Health Ministry has also been directed to finalise the tender for the same and also explore possible sources for import identified by the missions of the Ministry of External Affairs
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Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre asks states to ensure availability of essential supplies, stop panic buying by consumers
Amid concerns over the availability of essential items in view of rising COVID-19 cases, the Centre on Thursday directed state governments to take steps to stop panic buying by people and ensure there is no hike in prices of key supplies.
In a letter written to state governments, Additional Secretary in Union Consumer Affairs Ministry Nidhi Khare said due to the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, concerns have been raised about “availability of essential commodities to the common man at fair prices.”
To maintain smooth supplies, the states have been asked to keep operations of grocery stores/warehouses and chemist shops outside the restrictions under Section 144.
“It should also be ensured that the prices of all essential supplies are not increased and they are at fair prices, unless necessitated by cost enhancement due to raw material costs and exchange rates fluctuations,” she said.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Gujarat reports over 8,000 new COVID-19 cases, 81 deaths today
Gujarat reported over 8,000 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the highest one-day growth since the beginning of the pandemic, the health department said.
The addition of 8,152 cases took the state’s COVID-19 tally to 3,75,768, it said.
A total of 81 such patients died due to the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the fatality count to 5,076, the department said in the release. This is also the biggest single-day death toll in the state.
A record 28 persons died in Ahmedabad district, followed by 26 in Surat, 10 in Rajkot, seven in Vadodara, three in Gandhinagar, two each in Sabarkantha and Banaskantha, and one each in Anand, Bharuch and Junagadh.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Three states administered more than one crore vaccinations
The total number of vaccinations across the country surpassed the 11.70 crore mark on Thursday, with more than 26.02 lakh vaccine doses being administered till 8 pm, according to the Union health ministry.
As many as 67,400 COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) were operational, marking a rise of an average of 22,400 operational vaccination centres (45,000 CVCs on an average are functional on any given day). Workplace vaccinations have also enabled such a high turnout of beneficiaries, the ministry said.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 11,70,96,037, as per the 8 pm provisional report.
These include 90,82,153 healthcare workers(HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 56,33,982 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,02,90,850 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose and 51,51,557 FLWs who have taken the second dose.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Uttarakhand reports record 2,220 new cases, announces fresh curbs
Uttarakhand registers a record of 2,220 new cases on Thursday, taking its total count of infections since the beginning of the pandemic in January last year to 1,16,244, PTI reports. This is the state’s biggest one-day rise in infections since the outbreak. The state’s toll rises by nine to 1,802.
On Thursday evening, the Uttarakhand government announced new restrictions under which only 200 people will be allowed to attend religious and social gatherings, ANI reports. Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees continue to participate in the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.
Buses and auto-rickshaw will run with up to 50% capacity. Gyms will also operate at half of their capacity. Coaching centers, swimming pools and spas will be closed.
Night curfew will stay in place from 10:30 pm to 5 am. Those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and children are advised not to leave their homes.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Punjab sees record daily rise of 4,333 COVID-19 cases
Punjab’s daily COVID-19 cases surged to a record high of 4,333 on Thursday, taking the state’s cumulative tally to 2,86,816, according to a medical bulletin. The state’s previous biggest jump of 3,477 COVID-19 cases was recorded on 12 April.
Punjab’s death toll climbed to 7,722 as 51 more people succumbed to the disease, the bulletin said. The number of active cases increased to 30,033 from 28,250 on Wednesday. There are 40 critical patients who are on ventilator support while 374 are on oxygen support, it said.
Mohali reported the highest number of fresh cases at 860, followed by 482 in Ludhiana, 399 in Jalandhar, 365 in Amritsar, 353 in Patiala and 301 in Bathinda.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Tender to be floated to import 50,000 MT of medical oxygen, says Centre
In view of a spike in COVID-19 cases, a tender will be floated to import 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of medical oxygen, while its sources and production capacity has been mapped to match the requirement of 12-high burden states, the Centre said on Thursday.
The Union Health Ministry has been directed to finalise the tender for the same and also explore possible sources for import identified by the missions of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), it said.
“Also, based on the mapping exercise undertaken, 4,880 MT, 5,619 MT and 6,593 MT have been indicated to these 12 states — Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan — for meeting their projected demand as on 20th April, 25th April and 30th April, respectively,” a statement issued by the health ministry said.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
West Bengal logs highest one-day spike of 6,769 COVID-19
West Bengal on Thursday recorded the highest single-day spike of 6,769 COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,36,885, the state health department said.
At least 22 more people succumbed to the infection, raising the toll in the state to 10,480, the department said in its bulletin.
Kolkata, too, registered its biggest one-day surge since the outbreak of the disease, with 1,615 people testing positive for coronavirus. Accordingly, the number of active cases rose to 36,981. Of the 22 deaths, 10 were due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi records 16,699 new COVID-19 cases, 112 deaths
Delhi recorded 16,699 fresh COVID-19 cases and 112 fatalities due to the disease on Thursday, according to data shared by the health department.
This comes a day after the national capital registered 17,282 new infections, its highest single-day spike to date. The number of cases has been on an upward spiral in the last few days.
Also, the number of total tests conducted on Wednesday was 82,569, relatively less than the over 1.08 lakh tests done on Tuesday. As per the latest bulletin, 16,699 fresh cases and 112 new fatalities were recorded in the city, pushing the death toll to 11,652.
The positivity rate on Thursday mounted to 20.22 per cent, the highest to date in Delhi.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Active COVID-19 caseload in Maha to double in 15 days: Uddhav Thackeray
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has written a letter to the Centre, saying the number of an active caseload of COVID-19 in the state is expected to double in the next 15 days.
Maharashtra is expecting its active caseload to reach 11.9 lakh by April 30, compared to the current active caseload of 5.64 lakh, Thackeray said on Wednesday in the letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also said the medical oxygen requirement in the state is projected to reach 2,000 metric tonnes per day by April-end from the present consumption of 1,200 MT per day.
Citing logistical hurdles in the transportation of liquid medical oxygen from neighbouring states, Thackeray also sought permission under the National Disaster Management Act to airlift oxygen from steel plants in eastern and southern parts of the country.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Rare blood clot risk higher from COVID-19 than vaccine: UK study
The risk of rare blood clotting following the COVID-19 infection is around 100 times greater than normal, several times higher than it is post-vaccination or following influenza, according to a new University of Oxford study published on Thursday.
The research found that the rare blood clotting known as Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) is more common after COVID-19 than in any of the comparison groups, with 30 per cent of these cases occurring in the under 30s.
Compared to the current COVID-19 vaccines being administered, this risk is between 8-10 times higher, and compared to the baseline, approximately 100 times higher.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Mamata urges EC to hold elections for remaining phases at one
Worried over the COVID-19 surge, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged the Election Commission to think about conducting polls for the remaining assembly seats at one go, while also stressing that her party had opposed the prolonged eight-phase poll schedule.
The TMC supremo, in a tweet, said that such a move should be taken in view of public interest.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Pvt hospitals with more than 50 beds should set up oxygen generation plant, says Rajesh Tope
Amid reports of shortage of medical oxygen in Maharashtra, Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said that each private hospital in the state with more than 50 beds should set up an oxygen generation plant to ensure availability of this life-saving gas for treatment of patients. He said this in a press conference, where he shared a fresh set of instructions for hospitals. “All private hospitals with more than 50 beds should set up an oxygen generation plant. These hospitals will no longer rely on the state government for the supply of medical oxygen, which can be provided to the COVID-19 patients,” he said. Hospitals with less than 50 beds have been asked to procure oxygen concentrators, which can increase the supply of oxygen to patients, the minister said. “The technology of oxygen concentrators involves collection and purification of air up to 95 to 98 percent before it is administered to patients. It is viable and affordable. It will reduce the load on the state infrastructure over procuring liquid medical oxygen from other states and supplying it to hospitals,” he added. He also admitted that there has been overuse of oxygen in treating patients.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Mumbai reports 8,217 fresh cases, 49 fatalities
Mumbai reports 8,217 fresh COVID-19 cases and 49 deaths, taking the total number of cases to 5,53,159 and toll to 1,21,89. A total of 10,097 persons recovered during the day and the number of active cases stands at 85,494, according to the BMC’s data.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
All ASI-protected monuments and sites shut due to surge in cases
All centrally protected monuments, museums and sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have been closed with immediate effect till 15 May due to the surge in coronavirus cases in the country, the Union culture ministry said on Thursday, reports PTI.
An order to this effect was issued by the ASI and it was tweeted by Culture Minister Prahlad Patel this evening. “Due to the prevailing COVID situation, it has been decided to close all centrally protected monuments, sites and museums under the ASI with immediate effect and till 15 May or until further orders,” the ASI said.
Last year, too, all monuments and sites maintained by the ASI were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Karnataka sees biggest single-day jump of 14,738 COVID-19 cases
Karnataka has reported its sharpest single-day spike of 14,738 fresh coronavirus cases and 66 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 11.09 lakh and the toll to 13,112, the Health Department said on Thursday.
The state had previously reported its biggest single-day spike of 11,265 cases on Wednesday. Out of the 14,738 fresh cases reported on Thursday, 10,497 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone. The day also saw 3,591 patients getting discharged after recovery.
As of April 15 evening, cumulatively 11,09,650 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 13,112 deaths and 9,99,958 discharges, the Health Department said in its bulletin.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Telangana govt cancels SSC, Intermediate first year exams
As per reports, the Telangana government on Thursday cancelled the board exams to class 10 under State Secondary Board (SSC) and intermediate first year under the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) in view of the rising COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, the board exams to second-year students stand deferred to a later date.
A decision to this effect was taken after a high-level review meeting was held by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with the education ministry officials.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Odisha govt postpones all board exams after COVID-19 surge
The Odisha government on Thursday postponed all board examinations including the Class 10 and 12 tests in the wake of spiralling COVID-19 cases in the state, reports PTI.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made the announcement after reviewing the coronavirus situation in Odisha, where active cases have surpassed the 14,000-mark.
The Odisha Board of Secondary Education (BSE) conducts the annual matriculation examination and the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) is in charge of the Class 12 examination, both of which have been postponed.
The tests for Class 10 were scheduled to start from May 3 and the Plus-II examinations from May 18.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Odisha imposes night curfew across state
The Odisha government has announced a weekend shutdown in urban areas of the 10 districts bordering Chhattisgarh.
As per New Indian Express , announcing the new measures following the rapid surge in Covid cases, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said that weekend shutdown will be imposed in urban areas of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts from coming Saturday. Night curfew in these areas will be extended from 9 pm to 5 am to 6 pm to 5 am.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Ten states account for 82% of daily new COVID cases: Centre
Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Kerala, have shown a steep rise in daily new COVID-19 cases accounting for 82.04 percent of the fresh infections being reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
India’s daily new cases continue to rise and a record 1,84,372 fresh coronavirus cases were registered in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 60,212, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 17,963 while Chhattisgarh reported 15,121 new cases.
India’s total number of active cases has increased to 13,65,704 and now comprises 9.84 per cent of the country’s total infections. A net increase of 1,01,006 cases has been recorded in the total number of active cases in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 68.16 per cent of India’s total active cases, the ministry said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Passengers to Bengal asked to undergo RT-PCR test 72 hours before boarding a flight
The West Bengal government on Wednesday issued a directive to air passengers coming to the state from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Telegana to carry reports of their RT-PCR negative status conducted 72 hours before boarding the flights, a senior official said.
The directive was given in view of the surge in coronavirus cases in the country, mostly in the four states, he added.
“The test has to be carried out 72 hours prior to the passenger’s departure for Bengal. There is no provision of getting the test done on arrival. The rule also applies for flights departing from the four states mentioned and are bound for Bagdogra and Andal (both in West Bengal),” he added.
-PTI