Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The government of Maharashtra has announced further restrictions for the state that will come into force at 8 pm on 22 April and will be imposed till 7 am on 1 May. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to forthwith provide oxygen by whatever means to the hospitals in the national capital which are treating serious COVID-19 patients and is facing scarcity of oxygen. With 67,468 new Covid-19 cases and 568 deaths, Maharashtra’s cases tally 4,027,827 and the toll climbed to 61,911. Congress leader and West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took to Twitter to announce that he has tested positive for COVID19 and said that he will continue campaigning for West Bengal Assembly Elections “virtually”. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday ruled out the possibility of lockdown in the state in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 and said universal vaccination for those who are above 18 will start from 5 May. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announce night curfew in the coastal state between 10 pm to 6 am, starting tonight till 30 April. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state government will vaccinate everyone above 18 years of age free of cost. Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin has shown efficacy of 78 percent against mild, moderate and severe cases of COVID-19, as per Phase III interim analysis results. ICMR DG Balram Bhargava said 2-4 per 10,000 breakthrough infections have been reported after vaccination and added that this is a very small number. Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that 146 districts have positivity rate of over 15percent and these are facing the strain in terms of hospital care The Tripura government has decided to impose a seven-hour night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am in Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) area from Thursday onwards for an indefinite period to contain the spread of COVID-19, a notification said. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik is a COVID-dedicated facility. Around 150 patients were either oxygen-dependent or on ventilators, said news reports. The hospital in Nashik has over 170 patients and at least 150 critical patients were on oxygen support, according to news reports. The ICMR study showed that Covaxin neutralised the UK and Brazil variants of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the Indian double mutant variant. The new variant has a major mutation called E484K — found in several of the internationally identified variants that help it evade the immune system, according to reports. The single-day rise in new coronavirus infections inched closer to 3 lakh, pushing India’s tally to 1,56,16,130, while the toll increased to 1,82,553 with a record 2,023 daily fatalities. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in India climbed to 21,57,538 on Wednesday, said the Union health ministry in its latest report. With this, the active caseload in the country comprise 13.8 percent of total infections. With the death of 2,023 more COVID-19 patients in the past 24 hours, the toll in the country increased to 1,82,553 on Wednesday, said the health ministry in its latest data. On Tuesday, the issue of a stricter lockdown in Maharashtra was discussed in the Cabinet where the majority was in favour of a long lockdown in the state, extending for a week or two. Slamming the Narendra Modi government for its “monumental incompetence” in COVID management, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the Centre allowed open market sale of coronavirus vaccines only after shipments to foreign countries led to depletion of stocks in India. Mamata also alleged the schedule for West Bengal Assembly election was decided to assist the BJP, and voiced displeasure at the rejection of her proposal to club the polling for the remaining three phases. Addressing an election meeting at Bhagwangola in Murshidabad district, the Trinamool Congress supremo claimed the prime minister allowed export of vaccines to other countries to “boost his image” while states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan and West Bengal struggled to get the doses they required to combat the pandemic. “Yesterday the prime minister said the medicine (vaccine) will be available in open market. Where is the open market, where is the availability? You have already shipped out the majority of stock to foreign destinations,” she alleged. India, as part of vaccine diplomacy decided to export life-saver jabs to several countries including Pakistan, notwithstanding persistent tensions between the two countries. “We are facing a huge deficit of vaccines due to faulty planning,” she said, calling the Centre “a government of monumental incompetence”. The TMC supremo said more and more COVID-19 cases are being reported from Kolkata, North 24 Parganas and Asansol belt and the state government is trying to manage the crisis with limited stock. “For six months the central leadership did not bother to plan, they were busy plotting electoral battles in Bengal,” the TMC chief alleged. Training her guns on the BJP, she claimed the party brought in “lakhs of people” from outside the state to help in the campaign and many of these people were infected with COVID. These people will leave but they have already spread the virus and the onus to manage the new crisis will be on us, she said. “Bengal’s COVID situation was firmly under control but now the rate of infection is rising again,” she said and advised people not to panic. “We will again put it (pandemic) under a tight leash.”
Coronavirus Updates: Centre increases states' quota of oxygen amid reports of shortage; India reports record 2.9 lakh cases
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: As per the new rules, weddings can be held in marriage halls with 25 people for 2 hours and those seen to be flaunting the restraints or not following these may be fined Rs 50,000 read more
 "Coronavirus Updates: Centre increases states' quota of oxygen amid reports of shortage; India reports record 2.9 lakh cases")
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
7500 MT oxygen being produced in India daily, say Centre
Amid reports of oxygen shortage in the country, the Centre on Wednesday said of the total 7,500 metric tonnes of oxygen being produced in India per day, 6,600 metric tonnes, as on date, is being allocated to states for medical use and assured that efforts are being made to increase its supplies in the coming days.
At a press conference, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul appealed to the states, hospitals and nursing homes to ensure rational use of oxygen as it was a “life-saving” drug for coronavirus infected patients.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “We are producing 7,500 metric tonnes of oxygen per day of which 6,600 metric tonnes is being allocated to the states for medical purposes.
“Presently, we have issued instructions that, leaving a few industries, the supply to industries will be restricted so that more and more oxygen can be made available for medical use,” he said.
Bhushan further said that a 24×7 control room has been set up where state governments can raise the problems bring faced by them like if their truck is stuck somewhere or if movement is being hindered.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Kerala records highest single day spike of 22,414 COVID cases
Kerala reported the highest single-day surge of COVID-19 cases on Wednesday with 22,414 infections, including 105 health workers, while the toll touched 5,000 with the addition of 22 deaths. The previous high was on April 20 with 19,577 cases.
The health department quoted Chief Minister PinarayiVijayan as saying that 22 more deaths had taken the toll in the state to 5,000. This is the highest single-day surge reported from Keralasince the outbreak of the virus, according to government sources.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra announces new rules, marriages to be held with 25 people for 2 hrs
As per the new restrictions announced by the Uddhav Thackeray government on Wednesday night, govt offices to function with 15 percent attendance. Marriages to be held with only 25 people for 2 hours. “Any family seen to be flaunting the restraints or not following these in letter and spirit may be fined Rs 50,000,” read the order.
These new rules are to be implemented from 22 April, tomorrow from 8 pm onwards.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra govt announces additional restrictions but no full lockdown
🚨New strict restrictions under #BreakTheChain🚨
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 21, 2021
To be implemented from 22nd April 2021, 8pm onwards pic.twitter.com/ifyrcQCbnH
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Human lives more important than commercial interests: Delhi HC
The Bench said, “You (Centre) have to take captive oxygen from industries. If it means that those industries have to shut till imports (of oxygen) are made, so be it. We cannot afford to lose lives. It might be inconvenient. Let it be inconvenient”
Justice Sanghvi said, “Human lives are more important than commercial interests.”
Justice Sanghi to Dawra : You have to take captive oxygen from industries. If it means that those industries have to shut till imports (of oxygen) are made, so be it. We cannot afford to lose lives. It might be inconvenient. Let it be inconvenient. #DelhiHighCourt #Oxygen
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
‘No industry will say no to you, you must take over’: Delhi HC to Centre
SG Tushar Mehta representing the Centre tells the court that the supply of oxygen is on its way and it will reach the hospital shortly. “O2 has been delivered at one of the Max hospitals,” he adds.
Delhi High Court said that it has full faith that the Centre will deliver oxygen. “Patparganj hospital will get the supply of oxygen in 2 hours. But many other hospitals also facing a shortage” the court observed.
“You have plenary sovereign power. No industry will say no to you. You must take over,” the court said.
You have plenary sovereign power. No industry will say no to you. You must take over: Court
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
‘Beg, borrow, steal, provide oxygen anyhow’: Delhi HC to Centre
The Delhi High Court resumed hearing an urgent plea regarding oxygen shortage in Delhi hospitals. “We have been informed that need for oxygen for medical supply has gone up 5 times. We are dealing with the lives of thousands and thousands,” the court said.
As per Bar and Bench, the high court urged the Centre to provide oxygen anyhow. “We want you to undertake maximum procurement from all sources. Beg, borrow, steal, whatever, you have to provide it”
We want you to undertake maximum procurement from all sources. Beg, borrow, steal, whatever, you have to provide: Court
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Why is Centre not waking up to ground reality?: Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court said that their concern was not just for Delhi but all parts of the country and what the Centre is doing. “How is this that the government not waking up to the ground reality? We can’t have people dying? Yesterday, we were told you were trying to import. What happened to that. This is an emergency of such grave nature,” the court said, as per Bar&Bench.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Provide oxygen forthwith to hospitals by whatever means: HC to Centre
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to forthwith provide oxygen by whatever means to the hospitals in the national capital which are treating serious COVID-19 patients and is facing scarcity of oxygen. “Why is the Centre not waking up to the gravity of the situation? We are shocked and dismayed hospitals running out of oxygen but steel plants are running,” the high court said.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said the responsibility to ensure oxygen supply is squarely on Central government shoulders and if necessary, the entire supply of oxygen to industries including steel and petroleum can be diverted for medical usage. “The steel and petrochemical industries are oxygen guzzlers and diverting oxygen from there can meet hospitals’ requirements,” the bench said.
“If Tatas can divert oxygen they are generating for their steel plants to medical use, why can’t others? This is the height of greed. Is there no sense of humanity left or not,” the court observed. The court was hearing a plea with regard to the urgent need for oxygen in some Delhi hospitals.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra reports record number of deaths with over 550 fatalities
With 67,468 new Covid-19 cases and 568 deaths, Maharashtra’s cases tally 4,027,827 and the toll climbed to 61,911. As many as 272,744 tests were conducted on the day and so far 24,614,480 tests have been conducted.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Mumbai’s COVID-19 tally crosses six-lakh mark with over 7,000 new cases
The tally of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai crossed the six lakh mark on Wednesday as it added 7,684 cases, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC). The city also recorded 62 deaths, the highest in a day since July 21, 2020, when the same number of fatalities had been witnessed.
Mumbai’s caseload rose to 6,01,590 and toll increased to 12,501, the civic body said. As many as 47,270 tests were done on Wednesday, taking the number of samples tested for coronavirus to50,75,152.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Nashik hospital tragedy: toll rises to 24 as 2 more die
The death toll in the Nashik hospital oxygen leakage incident on Wednesday rose to 24 after two more COVID-19 patients died in the evening, a top district official said. “Two more patients, who were on a ventilator, succumbed in the evening. They could not get sufficient oxygen earlier in the day when its supply stopped due to the leakage in the tank,” collector Suraj Mandhare told PTI.
Earlier in the day, 22 COVID-19 patients on ventilator support suffocated to death when their oxygen supply stopped suddenly because of a malfunction in the main storage at the civic-run Dr Zakir Husain Hospital in Nashik city. A total of 150 patients were admitted to the hospital when the incident occurred, a senior civic official said earlier.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tests COVID-19 positive
Congress leader and West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took to Twitter to announce that he has tested positive for COVID19 and said that he will continue campaigning for West Bengal Assembly Elections “virtually”.
I have been tested covid positive, requesting all who came in contact with me for last 7 days must comply with covid protocols, I will be continuing my campaign through virtual platform, I do suggest and request all to take utmost care to keep away covid from your lives.
— Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Kerala government to provide free vaccines
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced that the state government will provide the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost for all above 18 years of age.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tests COVID-19 positive
After waiting two days for a test appointment and another day & a half for the results, I finally have confirmation: I’m #Covid positive. Hoping to deal with it in a “positive” frame of mind, with rest, steam & plenty of fluids. My sister& 85 year old mother are in the same boat.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Mamata Banerjee rules out lockdown in Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday ruled out the possibility of lockdown in the state in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 and said universal vaccination for those who are above 18 will start from 5 May.
The Election Commission should take steps to ensure that postal ballot facilities are made available for COVID-19 patients admitted in hospitals, the TMC supremo said. She iterated her demand for a proper supply of vaccines and oxygen from the central government.
Criticising the disparity in vaccine prices, Banerjee said it is the duty of the Centre to ensure that it is not so. “I am writing a strong letter to the Centre on the discrimination in the pricing of the vaccines. The vaccine producing companies are charging different rates from the Centre, states and private hospitals for the same vaccine. Why this discrimination? Is this time to make business with vaccines?” she asked.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre has increased Delhi’s quota of oxygen supply: Kejriwal
The Centre has increased Delhi’s quota of oxygen supply to treat coronavirus patients as the city faces an unprecedented shortage, tweets Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The national capital’s oxygen quota has been increased from 378 metric tonnes per day to 500 metric tonnes, sources within the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) told NDTV on Wednesday evening.
This comes after several hospitals in Delhi earlier today had alleged that the Haryana government was not allowing vendors to supply oxygen to them and there is only limited stock left as hundreds of coronavirus patients battled for their life in these healthcare facilities
Central govt has increased Delhi’s quota of oxygen. We r very grateful to centre for this.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Max Healthcare urges Delhi, Central govt to immediately procure oxygen supply for its hospitals
Max Healthcare said its hospitals in Delhi-NCR are working on dangerously low levels of oxygen supply, according to a press release shared by India Today. The hospital network has over 1400 COVID-19 patients and most are being supported on medical oxygen, the statement said. " We are facing supply uncertainties and delays leading to serious concerns regarding a calamitous incident involving patients being maintained on oxygen, the statement said and urged the state and Central governments to help procure oxygen supply on immediate basis. It also gave a break up of oxygen supply available at each of its seven hospitals in Delhi NCR.
SOS FROM MAX HOSPITALS FOR OXYGEN SUPPLY IN DELHI:
— Ankit Tyagi (@Ankit_Tyagi01) April 21, 2021
MAX SHALIMAR BAGH (295 Covid patients)2 hrs supply left
MAX PATPARGANJ (262 Covid)3 hrs left
MAX VAISHALI (170 Covid)8 hrs supply left
MAX GURGON (74 Covid)8 hrs supply left
MAX SAKET (185) 18 hrs supply
others in detail 👇 pic.twitter.com/zYerA2j9Kd
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Online registration for Amarnath Yatra should be stopped immediately, says former J&K advisor
Former advisor to the Jammu and Kashmir government Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday said that the online registration for the Amarnath Yatra should be stopped immediately. “The online registration of Amarnath Ji yatra should be stopped immediately. You can’t accommodate 1.22 lakh pilgrims on a daily basis with this pandemic on your head, it will be a catastrophe. Can’t we make it ‘Symbolic’ this year? Lives are at stake,” he said in a tweet, tagging the Prime Minister’s Office and the UT’s Liuetenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on 17 April said the Kumbh in Haridwar should now have symbolic participation due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The online registration of Amarnath Ji yatra should be stopped immediately. You can’t accommodate 1.22 lakh pilgrims on a daily basis with this pandemic on your head, it will be a catastrophe. Can’t we make it ‘Symbolic’ this year?
— Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) April 21, 2021
Lives are at stake.@PMOIndia @manojsinha_ pic.twitter.com/uYZtyO5FUw
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Haryana govt official stopped oxygen supply from plant in Faridabad, alleges Sisodia
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged on Wednesday that an official of the Haryana government stopped oxygen supply to Delhi from a plant in Faridabad Sisodia said the Centre decides the quota of oxygen for states and the AAP govt had been demanding that the Centre increase Delhi’s quota of oxygen from 378 metric tonnes to 700 metric tonnes. The Central government is yet to take a step in this direction, he said.
“We again demand that the Centre increase our oxygen quota to 700 MT in view of the increased consumption. Patients from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, are admitted in city hospitals,” Sisodia said at a press conference.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Haryana govt not allowing vendors to supply oxygen, allege several Delhi hospitals
Several hospitals in Delhi on Wednesday alleged that the Haryana government was not allowing vendors to supply oxygen to them and there is only limited stock left as hundreds of coronavirus patients battled for their life in these healthcare facilities. No reaction was immediately available from the Haryana government. According to an official, Sir Ganga Ram City Hospital at Pusa Road had five hours of oxygen left around 4:30 pm. There are 58 COVID patients, including 10 in ICU, in the hospital. “The vendor, as per its representative, is not being allowed by the Haryana government to supply oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen to Sir Ganga Ram City Hospital, Pusa Road. Supply left is sufficient only for five hours,” the official said.
A spokesperson of St Stephen’s Hospital said they had only two hours of oxygen left around 4 pm. “The Haryana government has not been allowing our vendor to supply oxygen to us. Of the 350 patients in the hospital, around 200 are on oxygen support,” he alleged.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Night curfew in Goa; Class 10,12 exams postponed
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announce night curfew in the coastal state between 10 pm to 6 am, starting tonight till 30 April, reports news agency ANI. Sawant also announced that the Class 10 and 12 exams were postponed and the new dates would be announced at least 15 days before the exam. According to the Indian Express, the chief minister also announced a slew of restriction to be in place till 30 April, including allowing restaurants, gyms, casinos to operate at 50 percent capacity and capping attendance at weddings to 50 and at funerals to 20. Permission will be required for weddings.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
COVID-19 patients’ kin protest over oxygen shortage at pvt hospital in Latur
Relatives of COVID-19 patients took to the streets on Wednesday after a private hospital informed them about the shortage of oxygen at the facility in
Maharashtra’s Latur city, an official said. A senior district official has, however, claimed that although there was a shortage of the life-saving gas, the supply has not been stopped.
A private hospital in Latur city intimated the kin of COVID-19 patients about the shortage of oxygen, following which relatives attempted to agitate at Shivaji Chowk area around 8 am, the official said. The police managed to counsel the angry kin and cleared the road in 15 to 20 minutes, he said.
The director of the hospital has alleged that the facility has not been given enough medical oxygen to treat critical patients.
PTI
Delhi govt ’looted’ oxygen tanker going from Panipat to Faridabad, alleges Anil Vij
Earlier on Wednesday, Haryana minister Anil Vij alleged that a tanker carrying medical oxygen for COVID patients in hospitals, which was going from Panipat to Faridabad, was ‘’looted’’ by the Delhi government and said all oxygen tankers will now move with a police escort. Vij also said given the increased demand for oxygen due to a surge in coronavirus cases, Haryana can spare the supply for others only after the state meets its own demand.
Interacting with reporters, the health and home minister, while referring to the tanker, said, ‘‘Yesterday, one of our oxygen tankers was going from Panipat to supply to hospitals in Faridabad. When it was passing through Delhi, the tanker was looted by the Delhi government which is very wrong.’’ ‘‘If governments indulge in such things, then it will result in chaos,’’ he said.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Madhya Pradesh to vaccinate all above 18 yrs of age free of cost
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state government will vaccinate everyone above 18 years of age free of cost. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh and Assam had also made similar announcements.
This comes just days after the Centre’s announcement of expanding the COVID-19 vaccination program to all those above 18 years of age.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Oxygen production capacity of 7,500 tons, says Bhushan
Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan during the press briefing on the COVID-19 situation said the oxygen production capacity is 7,500 tons." Last year we used 3,500 metric tons of medical oxygen. We have alloted 6,600 tons to states this year for use", he said, according to The Hindu.
Coronavirus LATEST Update
Odisha cancels Class 10 exams day after students’ dharna
A day after students staged an agitation in front of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence , the Odisha government Wednesday announced cancellation of the annual Class 10 board exam given the prevailing COVID-19 situation. “In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Class-10 examination conducted by BSE, Odisha scheduled to be held from 3 May, 2021, has been cancelled,” announced School and Mass Education Minister SR Dash.
The results will be published based on an objective criterion to be developed by the BSE, Odisha, the minister said. “Any candidate, who will not be satisfied with the marks awarded to him/her on this basis, will be given a chance to appear for an examination only after an improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic situation,” the minister said.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Update
Covaxin shows 78% overall efficacy in Phase 3 interim analysis, says Bharat Biotech
Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin has shown efficacy of 78 percent against mild, moderate and severe cases of COVID-19, as per Phase III interim analysis results. The vaccine maker noted that the second interim data of the Phase III study also showed that the vaccine’s efficacy against severe COVID-19 disease was 100 percent, with an impact on reduction in hospitalizations Due to the recent surge in cases, 127 symptomatic cases were recorded, resulting in a point estimate of vaccine efficacy of 78 percent against mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 disease, Bharat Biotech said in a statement. The efficacy against asymptomatic COVID-19 infection was 70 percent suggesting decreased transmission in Covaxin recipients it said.
Coronavirus LATEST Update
2.97% cases in second wave in those below 10 years of age against 4.03% in first wave, says health ministry
In those below 10 years, 4.03 percent of COVID-19 cases were reported in first wave, while 2.97 percent cases registered in second wave, says health ministry. In age group 10-20 years, 8.07 percent COVID-19 cases were reported in first wave, while 8.50 percent cases were registered in second wave while in the age group of n 20-30 years, 20.41 percent COVID-19 cases were reported in first wave, while 19.35 percent cases registered in second wave, the Union health secretary said. In those aged 30 and above, 67.5 percent COVID-19 cases were reported in first wave, while 69.18 percentcases registered in second wave, he added.
#IndiaFightsCorona:
— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) April 21, 2021
📍Age wise comparison of cases: 2020 vs 2021 are given below.
- Secretary, @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/Kpnc3HGTrV
Coronavirus LATEST Update
Around 87% health workers have recieved first dose, says health ministry
Around 87 percent of health workers and 79 percent of front-line workers have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, ANI quotes Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan
Number of breakthrough infections very small, says ICMR DG
“2-4 / 10,000 breakthrough infections have been reported after vaccination. This is a very small number and not at all worrisome”, T_he Hindu_ quotes ICMR DG Balram Bhargava as saying. “This is because of HCWs and FLWs who were the first to be vaccinated and are prone to more occupational exposure. There is also a possibility that highly transmissible second wave may be have contirbuted a liitle bit, minuscule, otherwise it would have been zero:,” he said.
Getting infection after vaccination is known as breakthrough infection
About 0.04 percent people tested positive after the second dose of Covaxin while 0.03 percent tested positive after the second dose of Covishield, he said.
So far, 1.1 crore doses of Covaxin have been administered, of which 93 lakh received the first dose and out of that 4,208 (0.04 per cent) people got the infection. For Covishield, 11.6 crore doses have been given. Ten crore received the first dose and 17,145 i.e. 2 per 10,000 people contracted the infection, he said.
Coronavirus LATEST Update
Nearly 50% of population aged over 60 has received first dose of vaccine, says VK Paul
Nearly 50% of the over 60 population has received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, says Dr VK Paul. Paul said the govt is engaged in active talks with foreign vaccine trials. Biological E has almost finished phase one and two trials he said termed this as a significant development as they company has a major manufacturing capacity.
146 districts have positivity rate of 15%, says health ministry
Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that 146 districts have positivity rate of over 15percent and these are facing the strain in terms of hospital care, reports The Hindu.
A total of 274 districts have reported a positivity rate between 5-15 percent while the case fatality rate stands at 1.17 percent, he said
Coronavirus LATEST Update
Over13 crore vaccinated so far, says Rajesh Bhushan
There are 21,57,000 active cases in India currently i.e. twice the number of maximum active COVID-19 cases last year. More than 13 crore people have been vaccinated in the country so far including 30 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hour, ANI quotes union health secretary Rajesh Bhushn as saying.
Maharashtra CM orders high level inquiry into Nashik oxygen leakage
Maharashtra chief minister Thackery said he has ordered a high-level inquiry into the oxygen leakage at Nashik which claimed 22 lives, according to a CMO statement. Thackeray has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs Five lakh each to the the kin of the deceased, the statement said. According to the statement, the chief minister said he does not have the words to express his grief over the deaths. " Those who are responsible for the accident will not be spared but no one should also do politics (over it)," the statement quotes him as saying.
महाराष्ट्र शोकमग्न आहे!
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 21, 2021
-मुख्यमंत्री उद्धव बाळासाहेब ठाकरे pic.twitter.com/l4cBfMOxEO
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Heart-wrenching: Narendra Modi extends condolences to kind of those who died in Nashik
The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Tripura to impose seven hour night curfew in Agartala from tomorrow
The Tripura government has decided to impose a seven-hour night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am in Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) area from Thursday onwards for an indefinite period to contain the spread of COVID-19, a notification said. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.
The capital city has been reporting most of the coronavirus cases in the state. The order issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar said that essential services have been exempted from the purview of the curfew. Various recruitment examinations, including Joint Recruitment Board of Manpower and Employment Department and physical test of the IR battalion, however, stand postponed.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal tests positive
Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Wednesday said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was taking medication and treatment as per the advice of doctors. “Request all those who have come in my contact recently to be observant, and get themselves tested,” he said.
This is to inform you all that I have tested COVID positive today. I am taking medication & treatment as per the advice of my doctors.
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) April 21, 2021
Request all those who have come in my contact recently to be observant, and get themselves tested.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
22 patients die after oxygen tanker leaks in Nashik hospital
At least 22 patients died on Wednesday due to the interrupted supply of oxygen at a civic hospital for COVID-19 patients in Nashik in Maharashtra following the leakage from an oxygen storage plant, district collector Suraj Mandhare said.
“As per the current information, 22 people have died due to the interrupted supply of oxygen at the Zakir Hussain municipal hospital. The patients were on ventilators as well as on oxygen supply, which got interrupted after the leakage in the oxygen supply tank,” he told reporters.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
SII’s Covishield to cost Rs 400 per dose for state govts, Rs 600 for private hospitals
The Serum Insititute of India on Wednesday announced that its Covishield vaccine will be made available to state governments at a price of Rs 400 per dose and to private hospitals at Rs 600 per dose.
This comes just two days after the Centre on Monday announced that the third phase of the coronavirus vaccination drive will open for all persons above age 18 from 1 May.
In a statement issued on its Twitter handle, the Pune headquartered company on Tuesday said it will address the limited capacity by scaling up the vaccine production over the next two months.
“Going ahead, 50 percent of our capacities will be served to the Government of India’s vaccination programme, and the remaining 50 percent of the capacity will be for the state governments and private hospitals,” it said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Rajesh Tope says 11 patients on ventilators die in Nashik; low oxygen suspected
As per the information available with us, 11 patients who were on ventilators at the hospital in Nashik have died. The leakage was spotted at the oxygen tank which was supplying oxygen to these patients. The interrupted supply could be linked to the deaths, said Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday.
He said the Maharashtra government will look into the matter and conduct a thorough probe. “We will issue a statement later after the investigation is over,” Tope added.
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At least 11 dead in Nashik after oxygen tank leaks at Zakir Hussain hospital
At least 11 people died in Nashik, Maharashtra, after an oxygen tank leaked at Dr Zakir Hussain NMC hospital on Wednesday. The hospital has over 170 patients on oxygen support, according to news reports.
“Due to the valves leakage of the tanker in Nashik, there was massive oxygen leakage. There must definitely have been an impact on the hospital it was going to but I’m yet to gather more information. We’ll issue a press note after gathering more information,” said Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope.
#WATCH | An Oxygen tanker leaked while tankers were being filled at Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik, Maharashtra. Officials are present at the spot, operation to contain the leak is underway. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/zsxnJscmBp
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2021
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Puducherry adds 619 new COVID-19 infections
Puducherry registered 619 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday pushing the total caseload to 49,593 while the toll climbed to 722 as five more people succumbed to the infection.
Director of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan Kumar said there were 5,404 active cases which included 1,036 patients taking treatment in hospitals while the remaining 4368 patients were in home isolation.
He said 43,467 patients recovered and were discharged so far from hospitals.
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Covaxin effective against double mutant strain of SARS-CoV-2: ICMR
Covaxin, Bharat Biotech’s indigenously-developed COVID-19 vaccine, neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the double mutant strain, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Wednesday.
“ICMR study shows COVAXIN neutralises against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well,” ICMR said in a tweet.
ICMR-National Institute of Virology has successfully isolated and cultured multiple variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus: B.1.1.7 (the UK variant), B.1.1.28 (Brazil variant ) and B.1.351 (South Africa variant), reported Mint.
ICMR study shows #COVAXIN neutralises against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well. @MoHFW_INDIA @DeptHealthRes #IndiaFightsCOVID19 #LargestVaccineDrive pic.twitter.com/syv5T8eHuR
— ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) April 21, 2021
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DRDO to set up two COVID-19 hospitals in Panipat, Hisar
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will set up two dedicated COVID-19 hospitals of 500 beds each in Panipat and Hisar, Haryana’s Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said on Wednesday, Apri 21, 2021. The Army’s Western Command has been asked to provide doctors and other medical staff for the facilities, he said.
“DRDO will set up two Dedicated Covid Hospitals in Haryana of 500 beds each at Panipat and Hissar,” Vij tweeted.
“Work to start (on setting up of these hospitals) immediately,” he added.
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Centre’s liberalised vaccination strategy may pose logistical challenges, say experts
The crucial third phase of India’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy, under which everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible for inoculation, will begin from 1 May. While the liberalised vaccination strategy is an ambitious one, its implementation could pose several logistical challenges, health experts told Firstpost.
There are two broad strands of the policy in terms of the supply of vaccines. Firstly, the Centre will procure 50 percent of the doses from vaccine manufacturers. A part of these doses will be used to inoculate the categories of people who are eligible as on the present day—healthcare workers, other frontline workers and people above 45 years of age. These jabs will be administered free of cost. The remaining doses will be allocated to states and Union territories based on their requirement.
Coming to the second strand, state and UT governments and the private sector will be able to procure the remaining 50 percent of vaccine doses. Manufacturers are expected to ‘transparently’ make an advance declaration of the price at which they will supply these vaccine doses.
Read full article here…Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Private vaccination centres to procure directly from manufacturers starting 1 May
From May 1, the present system of private COVID-19 vaccination centres receiving doses from the government and charging up to Rs 250 per dose will cease to exist and they will procure directly from vaccine manufacturers.
According to the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be free for eligible population groups comprising health care workers, frontline workers and population above 45 years of age in government COVID vaccination centres which receive doses from the Centre.
Vaccine manufacturers would make an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to state governmentsin the open market before May 1.
Based on this price, states, private hospitals, industrial establishments may procure vaccine doses from manufacturers.
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SII to scale up Covishield production capacity by 50%
Serum Institute of India on Wednesday announced to increase the production of its coronavirus vaccine — Covishield — by 50 percent for Centre’s vaccination program.
It also announced the prices of vaccine for state goverments and private hospitals. Covishield has been priced at Rs 400 for states and Rs 600 at private hospitals.
This comes two days after the government’s decision to allow vaccination of all persons above the age of 18 from 1 May.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT pic.twitter.com/bTsMs8AKth
— SerumInstituteIndia (@SerumInstIndia) April 21, 2021
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India fastest country to vaccinate 13 crore in 95 days, claims Centre
India took only 95 days to administer 13 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the fastest country to do so, the Union heath ministry said on Wednesday.
The United States took 101 days to administer 13 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine, while China took 109 days to cross the same number, it said.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has reached 13,01,19,310 with 29,90,197 vaccine doses being given in a span of 24 hours, according to data updated at 7 am.
Eight states — Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala — comprise 59.33 percent of the total doses given so far in the country.
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Rahul Gandhi takes swipe at Centre’s COVID-19 vaccine policy
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday compared the central government’s vaccine strategy with demonetisation, which according to him, benefited industrialists and made common people suffer.
The Congress has termed the COVID vaccine policy as “discriminatory and inequitable”.
“The central government’s vaccine strategy is no less than the demonetisation. The common people will stand in queues, will suffer loss of wealth, health and life and in the end only a few big industrialists will benefit,” Rahul tweeted.
केंद्र सरकार की वैक्सीन रणनीति नोटबंदी से कम नहीं-
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2021
* आम जन लाइनों में लगेंगे
* धन, स्वास्थ्य व जान का नुक़सान झेलेंगे
* और अंत में सिर्फ़ कुछ उद्योगपतियों का फ़ायदा होगा।
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New COVID-19 variant identified in Bengal, say experts
Scientists have reported the emergence of a new lineage of SARS-CoV-2, named B.1.618, that is expected to comprise 15 percent of the genomes in the state reported from January to March.
The new variant, B.1.618, has a major mutation called E484K — found in several of the internationally identified variants of concern — that help it evade the immune system and possibly compromise vaccine efficacy, reported The Hindu.
According to the Indian Express, after the B.1.617 “new mutant variant” was found in more than 60 percent of cases sampled for genome sequencing in Maharashtra, B.1.618, the new variant, has been growing significantly in West Bengal.
B.1.618 - a new lineage of SARS-CoV-2 predominnatly found in India and characterized by a distinct set of genetic variants including E484K , a major immune escape variant. pic.twitter.com/dtfQJp2S2B
— Vinod Scaria (@vinodscaria) April 20, 2021
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Visuals from Sarojini Nagar market in Delhi
Sarojini Nagar market remained deserted during the six-day lockdown imposed in the National Capital. The lockdown will remain in place till 5 am on 26 April (Monday).
Delhi: Sarojini Nagar Market remains deserted amid the 6-day lockdown imposed in the national capital. The lockdown will remain in place till 5 am on 26th April. pic.twitter.com/B4ResTjeMq
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2021
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Maharashtra reports 277 of 2,023 new COVID-19 fatalities
Of the 2,023 new COVID-19 fatalities registered on Wednesday, Maharashtra reported the highest with 519 deaths. This was followed by Delhi with 277 fatalities, 191 in Chhattisgarh, 162 in Uttar Pradesh, 149 in Karnataka, 121 in Gujarat, 77 in Madhya Pradesh, 64 in Rajasthan, 60 in Punjab, 51 in Bihar, 48 in Tamil Nadu, 46 in West Bengal, 45 in Jharkhand and 35 each from Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.
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Active caseload in India above 21.57 lakh
The total number of active COVID-19 cases in India climbed to 21,57,538 on Wednesday, said the Union health ministry in its latest report. With this, the active caseload in the country comprise 13.8 percent of total infections.
On Wednesday, India reported 2,95,041 fresh cases, taking the overall count over 1.56 crore.
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India’s COVID-19 recovery rate drops to 85.01%
With 1,67,457 more COVID-19 patients being cured of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the total number of recoveries surged to 1,32,76,039 as on Wednesday, said the Union health ministry.
This takes the COVID-19 recovery rate in the country to 85.01 percent.
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More than 2,000 COVID-19 deaths in past 24 hrs: Health ministry
With the death of 2,023 more COVID-19 patients in the past 24 hours, the toll in the country increased to 1,82,553 on Wednesday, said the health ministry in its latest data.
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India records 2,95,041 COVID-19 cases in a day
India on Wednesday reported 2,95,041 fresh COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours, taking the overall count over 1.56 crore, said the Union health ministry.
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Delhi receives supply of medical oxygen in some govt, private hospitals
Some major government and private hospitals in Delhi received fresh stock of medical oxygen in the early hours of Wednesday, averting a crisis just in time, according to officials.
Gangaram Hospital received 5,000 cubic metres of oxygen supply from a private vendor before 3 am.This stock should last till Wednesday afternoon. The supply from another oxygen firm is still awaited, sources said.
An official at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital confirmed that a truck carrying oxygen from a firm reached them around 1.30 am.
Dr Suresh Kumar, medical director of the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, said a truck carrying oxygen from a vendor reached the facility around 3 am.
A record 28,395 coronavirus cases and 277 deaths marked the aggravation of the pandemic situation in Delhi on Tuesday as the positivity rate shot up to 32.82 percent – meaning every third sample came out positive – amid a “serious oxygen crisis” unfolding in the city.
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Japan PM to postpone India visit amid rising COVID-19 cases
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is postponing plans to visit India and the Philippines on a trip originally set for the end of the month, media said on Wednesday.
Suga will instead focus on handling a recent surge in coronavirus cases, broadcaster FNN and other media said.
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Maharashtra Class 10 board exams cancelled, says eductation minister
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, the state government has decided to cancel Class 10 board examination, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Varsha Gaikwad said on Tuesday.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet in Mumbai.
In a televised message, she said, The (Class X board) exam is cancelled. However, to bring parity across various higher secondary education boards, including of Maharashtra as well as central and international boards, a meeting (of stakeholders) will be called to finalise a roadmap."
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Uttar Pradesh imposes weekend lockdown amid surge in COVID-19 cases
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to impose a weekend curfew from Friday evening to Monday morning in the entire state till further orders amid the rising cases of coronavirus infections.
The government also decided to keep all non-essential activities suspended in all districts of the state having 500 or more active cases. It also decided to continue with the night-long curfew on weekdays throughout the state, a senior official said.
The move by the UP government comes hours after the Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed an Allahabad High Court order asking the state government to impose strict restrictions till April 26 in five cities amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.
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RECAP: PM says lockdown last resort, emphasises COVID-appropriate behaviour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation on Tuesday, urged state governments to assure migrants workers to “remain where they are and get vaccinated”. He also stated that lockdowns should only be considered as a last resort and lauded the Centre’s vaccination drive.
The prime minister’s address came just hours after his meeting with vaccine manufacturers, in which he urged them to continuously scale up their production capacity to inoculate all Indians in the shortest possible time.
“I request state governments to urge the migrant workers to stay where they are and that they will be vaccinated in the city where they are,” Modi said. “This trust given by the states to the workers will help them," Modi said.
Read full article here…Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Jharkhand orders 7-day COVID-19 lockdown from 22 April
As COVID-19 cases see a spike in the state, Jharkhand government announced a week-long lockdown in the state starting from Thursday. Issuing new restrictions for the lockdown, chief minister Hemant Soren said congregation of more than five people at one place has been banned.
While essential shops have been allowed to remain open during the lockdown, restrictions have been imposed on non-essential shops, private offices and the movement of people, as per a statement released by the Chief Minister Secretariat.
The restrictions will begin from 6 am on 22 April and continue till 29 April at 6 am, the chief minister said in a video message released on Twitter.
Read full article here…Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Section 144 in Maharashtra till 1 May
On Tuesday, the issue of a stricter lockdown in Maharashtra was discussed in the Cabinet where the majority was in favour of a long lockdown in the state, extending for a week or two, instead of night curfew or the imposition of Section 144.
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Maharashtra CM likely to announce decision on lockdown
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is likely to announce whether the state needs to be placed under a strict lockdown — in his address scheduled after 8 pm on Wednesday, Maharashtra ministers have confirmed.
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India’s second wave peak may be around mid-May: CEA
Amid surging coronavirus cases across the country, Chief Economic Adviser KV Subramanian on Tuesday said the peak for the second wave of the pandemic might be reached by the middle of the next month and expressed hope that its impact on the economy would not be large.
He said his assessment on the peak for this fresh wave of COVID-19 cases is based on research done by various bodies, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
“I am not an epidemiologist. I am just looking at it. I have read far more papers on epidemiology than on economics, but based on some very nice mathematical modelling of the COVID pandemic by IIT Kanpur and based on some of the research put out by ICMR etc, I am saying it’s likely that India’s second wave peak might be around mid-May,” he said.
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COVID-19 deaths lower in second wave, but correlation between vaccination and mortality rate unclear
One of the silver linings of the second wave of the COVID-19 so far has been the low mortality rate as compared to the first wave of coronavirus cases. However, it may be too early to conclude that the low mortality is due to the nationwide immunisation drive that started in January 2021, or that opening up vaccines from 1 May to those above the age of 18 could mitigate the human cost of the pandemic.
A comparison of the COVID-19 mortality rate, infection rate (or COVID-19 incident rate in percentage) and the vaccination rate shows no correlation among the three, except that as we had stated in our last study ofCOVID-19 data, while the infection rate has been rising, the mortality rate has been falling. The change appears to be faster in both indicators since mid-March. However, the trend may not continue as a comparison of fortnightly changes in both indicators throws up a completely different picture.
Read full article here…Coronavirus LATEST Updates
PM ignored COVID crisis to hide his lack of foresightedness: Prashant Kishor
Poll strategist Prashant Kishor who is looking after the Trinamool Congress’ election strategy in West Bengal on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring the COVID-19 crisis to hide his lack of understanding and foresightedness.
Kishor’s statement came after Modi addressed the nation on the coronavirus situation amid a surge in cases.
He also alleged that the prime minister bluffed people to claim victory in the battle against the pandemic.
“ModiGovt handling of crisis: #1: ignore problem to hide lack of understanding and foresightedness #2: suddenly take control, use bluff and bluster to claim victory #3: if problem persists, pass it on to others #4: when situation improves, return with Bhakts’ army to take credit,” Kishor tweeted.
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