The official health bulletin pegged the number of Covid tests at 7,017, of which 5,879 were RT-PCR tests while 1,138 were antigen tests. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra/File)The Centre on Tuesday said that an increase in the intensity of the pandemic has led Covid to spread at a faster pace than last year and that the next four weeks are very critical. At a press conference, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said the pandemic situation in the country has worsened with a sharp rise in cases and a large part of the population is still susceptible to the virus.
LIVE UPDATES | Coronavirus in India: Latest news and updates, April 7
Meanwhile, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the Centre is concerned about Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab as they have been reporting the maximum number of fresh cases and deaths in the country. He further informed that the Centre has asked the state governments to ramp up RT-PCR tests after it noticed that only 60% of the tests were done using the method in Maharashtra last week.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi government imposed a night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in the wake of rising cases. A proposal to bring back the curfew was sent to the Chief Minister’s office on Monday after several discussions within the government over the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases. Officials also took into account large gatherings at restaurants and clubs at night. (Here’s the full list of who all are exempted in Delhi)
This comes after India, on Monday, reported 96,982 fresh coronavirus cases and 446 related deaths. Of these, 47,288 cases were reported in Maharashtra. While cases in Chhattisgarh scaled a new high of 7,302, and the count in Karnataka crossed the 5,000-mark. The country’s active case tally now stands at 7,88,223. While 164 people died in Maharashtra, 72 deceased in Punjab. The country’s cumulative count climbed up to 1,26,86,049, while the death toll stands at 1,65,547. Over 43 lakh people were also inoculated on Monday, pushing the vaccination count up to 8,31,10,926.
A Covid-19 testing camp at Anand Vihar interstate bus terminal in New Delhi on Saturday. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)
The state government’s restrictions amount to undeclared lockdown, which has not gone well with small traders and ordinary people as such restrictions have raised questions about livelihood, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should therefore hold discussions with all concerned sectors and come out with revised guidelines to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.
Karnataka Tuesday reported 6,150 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which is the highest single-day spike in the state this year. Bengaluru alone contributed 4,266 fresh cases. The state also reported 39 fatalities, taking the death toll to 12,696, while Bengaluru reported 26 deaths related to Covid-19.
The total number of infections has reached 10.26 lakh and the death toll to 12,696, according to the Karnataka health department. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 3,487 patients got discharged after recovery.
“Cumulatively 10,26,584 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,696 deaths and 9,68,762 discharges,” the health department said in a bulletin. More details here.
Rajasthan reported 2,236 new COVID-19 cases and 13 fatalities on Tuesday, taking the state's infection tally to 3,43,990 and the death toll to 2,854.
Five deaths were reported from Jodhpur, two each from Kota and Jhalawar and one fatality each was registered in Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Rajsamand and Udaipur, according to an official report here.
Jaipur reported the highest number of 413 new cases, followed by Udaipur with 367 and Jodhpur with 201.
A total of 3,24,996 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the disease so far, and the number of active cases at present is 16,140, the report said. (PTI)
The number of active covid cases in Gurgaon crossed 3500 for the first time this year on Tuesday, with 604 more people testing positive for the infection.
Gurgaon now has 3612 active cases of coronavirus, of which 3355 are currently in home isolation. This is the second time in the last one week that Gurgaon has recorded more than 600 fresh cases of the infection in a single day – on April 3, 606 people had tested positive for the infection.
Gurgaon also recorded a new high in terms of the number of covid tests conducted on Tuesday, with 7151 samples being tested. This is the first time this year that the number of tests conducted in the district in a single day has crossed 7000. For the last three days, more than 6000 tests were being conducted in Gurgaon. (input by Sakshi Dayal)
Hours after night curfew was imposed in Delhi, the Delhi Police said they will facilitate issuing of movement passes for those who are eligible for it.
Additional PRO (Delhi Police) Anil Mittal said, “The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has ordered night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM in view of rising incidents of Corona. An order to that effect has been issued today. Delhi Police will strictly enforce it except for the exempted categories mentioned in the order. All concerned should strictly observe the restrictions as given in the DDMA order.”
“Delhi Police had earlier issued movement passes to facilitate the movement of persons engaged in essential services/commodities. Fresh movement passes will be issued on demand. Those requiring it and qualifying for it can also visit the Delhi Police Website to apply for it. All field functionaries will be available in their jurisdictions to enforce the DDMA order and to facilitate the exempted categories,” he said.
(Input by Mahender Singh Manral)
Karnataka logged over 6,000 fresh COVID-19 cases and 39 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 10.26 lakh and the toll to 12,696, the Health department said on Tuesday.
The day also saw 3,487 patients getting discharged after recovery. Out of the 6,150 fresh cases reported on Tuesday, 4,266 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone.
Cumulatively 10,26,584 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,696 deaths and 9,68,762 discharges, the Health department said in a bulletin.
Out of 45,107 active cases, 44,756 patients are stable and in isolation at designated hospitals, while 351 are in Intensive Care Units. (PTI)
COVID-19 is spreading at a fast pace with an increase in the intensity of the pandemic and the next four weeks are going to be very critical, the Centre said on Tuesday as it stressed on people's participation to control the second wave of the contagion.
At a press conference, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said the pandemic situation in the country worsened with a sharp rise in cases and a large part of the population is still susceptible to the virus.
The tools to fight the pandemic remain the same. COVID-appropriate behaviour, containment measures, testing have to be implemented more efficiently, medical infrastructure has to be ramped up and vaccination drive intensified, he said.
COVID-appropriate behaviour like wearing masks, staying away from crowds have to be followed in a campaign mode, Paul reminded people.
"The intensity of the pandemic has increased and it is spreading faster than last time. In some states, it (the condition) is worse than others but the upswing (in cases) can be observed across the country," he said.
"People's participation is vital to control the second wave. The next four weeks are going to very critical. The entire country has to come together and make efforts to fight the pandemic." (PTI)
Wearing PPE suit, DMK MP Kanimozhi, who tested positive for Covid-19 a couple of days ago, reached the polling booth in Mylapore to cast her vote.
Tamil Nadu logged 3,645 new infections on Tuesday pushing the caseload to 9,07,124, while the death toll rose to 12,804 with 15 more fatalities, the health department said.
According to a department bulletin, recoveries mounted to 8,68,722 today with 1,809 patients being discharged, leaving 25,598 active infections.
Chennai accounted for most of the new infections with 1,303 cases, taking the aggregate to 2,56,359.
The metropolis also leads in the number of fatalities with 4,280.
A total of 80,856 samples were tested on Tuesday, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined to 2,00,93,091. (PTI)
Actor Katrina Kaif on Tuesday said she has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under home quarantine. Kaif, 37, took to her Instagram Story and requested those who came in contact with her to also get themselves tested.
"I have tested positive for Covid-19. Have immediately isolated myself and will be under home quarantine. I'm following all safety protocols under the advice of my doctors.
"Requesting everyone who came in contact with me to get tested immediately too. Grateful for all your love and support. Please stay safe and take care," Kaif wrote. (PTI)
Over 12 lakh people from Delhi have been vaccinated against Covid-19, said Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Tuesday. A total of 87,673 beneficiaries were vaccinated on Monday, of which 23,737 received their shot at the private facilities while the remaining 63,936 got inoculated at the government-run centres.
“More than 12 lakh people have been given the vaccination in Delhi so far. Even on Monday, the government centres utilised 95% of available slots whereas it was 67% in private hospitals. People are preferring government facilities for vaccination over private hospitals and the majority are going to government hospitals unlike before,” Jain said. More details here.
Centre has issued an order advising all its employees aged 45 years and above to get themselves vaccinated to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Of the top 10 districts having most of active Covid cases, seven districts are from Maharashtra, one from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh & Delhi each. Death numbers being reported in Punjab and Chhattisgarh are cause of extreme concern. Of all the active cases in the country, 58% of active cases are in Maharashtra. 34% of the total deaths have been reported in Maharashtra: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. (ANI)
Delhi government is not considering a lockdown to control the surge in Covid-19 infections, Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday, hours after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved a proposal to impose night curfew in the national capital till April end.
Addressing the media, Rai said the government is looking at alternative solutions to control the spread of the virus and is not dependent on night curfew alone, which will be imposed between 10 pm to 5 am from Tuesday night. (Read Shivam Patel's report)
Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Tuesday expressed concern over mortality among the young and mid-age groups due to COVID-19, amid a spike in cases, and has sought for a death audit from expert doctors to know the reasons. He also said the second wave of the pandemic was spreading faster than the first wave.
"Yesterday there has been an increase in cases.For the first time in the last six months 5,279 fresh cases were reported. More than 1 lakh cases have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours, and the mortality rate is also increasing. In the state also it was up with 32 deaths yesterday," Sudhakar said. Speaking to reporters here, he said mortality among middle aged and young people was a serious matter of concern.
"The deaths yesterday included youths of age 25, also 35 and 40 year-olds, this has caused concern. So I have asked the technical advisory committee and a panel of expert doctors for a death audit to be done, to know the exact reason for deaths," he added. (PTI)
Traders and shopkeepers from major markets of Nagpur took to the streets to protest the Maharashtra government's new COVID-19 curbs, directing shops and establishments selling non-essential commodities to remain closed till April 30.
As per the state government's guidelines to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission, shops and businesses that don't sell essential goods and services will have to down their shutters till April 30. Traders and shopkeepers from Itwari, Gandhibagh and Jaripatka markets came out on roads and raised slogans against the state government order. (PTI)
Former India wicketkeeper and Mumbai Indians' talent scout Kiran More has tested positive for Covid-19, the IPL franchise said on Tuesday. The 58-year-old More is also the wicket-keeping consultant of the five-time IPL champions. "More is currently asymptomatic and has been isolated. Mumbai Indians and Kiran More have followed all the BCCI health guidelines," MI stated in a media release.
"The MI medical team will continue to monitor Mr. More's health and abide by the BCCI protocols." Among the players and support staff, Delhi Capitals' all-rounder Axar Patel has tested positive and is in isolation. (PTI)
Assam's Covid-19 tally has mounted to 2,18,740 as the state reported this year's highest single-day spike of 70 fresh cases, a health bulletin said. The daily fresh cases, which had dipped to below 30 in the last three months, is showing an upward trend since the last week of March.
Two fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death toll to 1,109, while 1,347 patients have died so far due to other reasons, it said. Kamrup Metropolitan district reported the highest number of new cases at 70, followed by nine in Kamrup and seven in Nagaon. (PTI)
In the wake of a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has restricted the entry of people at its headquarters and other offices in the city. Except for public representatives and citizens who have urgent work or meetings scheduled, no other visitor will be allowed to enter the BMC offices, as per a circular issued by the civic body on Monday.
In exceptional cases, the department heads should issue entry passes to people on the basis of their negative RT-PCR test reports of less than 48 hours, said the circular. Civic officials have been asked to make provisions for accepting letters and representations at the entry gates of the BMC headquarters in south Mumbai and its other offices here, it said. (PTI)
Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that vaccination be allowed for all people above the age of 18 years. The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day on Tuesday taking the nationwide Covid-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. The country had a day ago reported 1,03,558 new cases.
"At present, we are vaccinating the population above 45 years. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy be geared up with immediate effect and on war footing," the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said in its letter to the prime minister. (PTI)
Puducherry logged 237 fresh Covid-19 cases during last 24 hours ending 10 am on Tuesday, taking the aggregate to 42,776. Two more persons (both are women) aged between 62 and 87 years succumbed to the illness.
With these deaths, the toll now rose to 688. Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said the new cases were identified at the end of examination of 3018 samples. While 145 of the total new cases were reported in Puducherry, Karaikal had 68 patients, Yanam nine and Mahe 15 during the last twenty-four hours. The Director said 139 patients were discharged after recovery during the last 24 hours, he said. (PTI)
Delhi has reported 69 deaths due to Covid-19 since April 1, a worrying trend which has set the alarm bells ringing for the health experts across the city. The city saw 117 deaths in March and 58 deaths in the month of February. A total of 17,532 new cases have been added to the infection tally over the last five days, as per the data shared by the Delhi government.
On Monday, the city reported 3548 new cases and 15 deaths, taking the total number of cases to 6,79,962. The death toll jumped to 11,096 after recording 15 more fatalities. The infection fatality rate based on the last five days data has been recorded at 0.39%.
Given the high rate of transmission and spike in the daily number of cases, experts believe that the high incidence of deaths among the patients is a warning sign. Read more
Arunachal Pradesh's Covid-19 tally rose to 16,851 on Tuesday as two more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said. The fresh cases were reported in Changlang and Lower Dibang Valley districts, he said.
The state now has 10 active cases, while 16,785 people have recovered from the disease and 56 patients have succumbed to the infection thus far, State Surveillance Officer Dr Lobsang Jampa said. The recovery rate among the coronavirus patients in the state stands at 99.60 per cent, he said. (PTI)
Mizoram on Tuesday reported nine new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike in two months, pushing the coronavirus tally to 4,500, an official said.
Of the nine fresh cases, five were reported from Aizawl district and four from Kolasib district, the official said. Four employees of Border Roads Task Force were among the newly infected people, he said. While seven patients have returned from other states, the remaining two patients were diagnosed with Covid-19 during contact tracing, he said. (PTI)
Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till April 30 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. (ANI)
A total of 8,31,10,926 vaccinations have been administered in the country so far, including 43,00,966 vaccinations on Monday: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (ANI)
India, on Monday, reported 96,982 fresh coronavirus cases. Of these, 47,288 cases were reported in Maharashtra. Chhattisgarh scales a new high of 7,302 cases and Karnataka crosses the 5,000-mark. The country's active case tally now stands at more than 7.88 lakh. 446 deaths were reported on Monday, of which 164 came from Maharashtra and 72 from Punjab.
Telangana saw 1,498 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest single-day spike this year, pushing the cumulative count to over 3.14 lakh while the toll climbed to 1,729 with six more fatalities.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation accounted for the most number of cases with 313, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri 164 and Nizamabad 142, a government bulletin said on Tuesday providing details as of 8 pm on April 5. The total number of cases stood at3,14,735 while with 245patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3,03,013. The state has 9,993 active cases and62,350 samples were tested on Monday. (PTI)
With the addition of 5,287 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has reached 3,44,030, an official said on Tuesday.
These new cases were reported on Monday, he said. The virus also claimed the lives of 20 more people, pushing the death toll in the district to 6,581, he said. The Covid-19 mortality rate in Thane is 1.91 per cent. So far, 2,95,701 patients have recuperated from the infection in the district, which reflects a recovery rate of 85.95 per cent. (PTI)
25,02,31,269 samples tested for Covid-19 till April 5. Of these, 12,11,612 samples were tested in the last 24 hours: Indian Council of Medical Research. (ANI)
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said the possibility of imposing certain restrictions in the state to curb the rising Covid-19 cases would be discussed with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
On Monday, Sawant said there was no immediate plan to impose a lockdown or curfew in Goa, but his government was monitoring the Covid-19 situation in the state and neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Goa reported 247 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, raising the infection count in the state to 59,315, as per official figures. (PTI)
World Bank President David Malpass has said that with the Serum Institute, India is blessed to have a major manufacturer of global vaccines and he is encouraged by the country’s ramping up of its domestic vaccination programme.
Malpass made the comments on Monday during a media roundtable ahead of the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
“I’ve had substantial contact with the Serum Institute. India is blessed with having a major manufacturer of global vaccines in India,” he said. Read more
A day after the number of active cases in Goa breached the 2,000-mark, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Monday that “some restrictions” will have to be imposed in the state before the situation “goes out of hand”.
On Monday, Goa had 2,180 active cases, with the highest number of infections reported from the urban health centres at Margao and Panaji.
“I feel, personally as the health minister, that the time has come for us to take some steps in terms of some restrictions which will be decided by the Disaster Management Committee as per the guidelines issued by the Centre. As a state, we need to take some steps — some restrictions are required, otherwise this will go out of hand and it will be difficult for us to tackle later,” said Rane. Read more
A proposal to bring back night curfew in Delhi to stem the tide of the coronavirus has been sent to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s office by top officials of the city’s administration.
It is learnt that the CMO has not yet responded to the proposal. Once the CM takes a call on it, it will be sent to Lt Governor Anil Baijal for final approval, a senior official said.
The CMO did not respond to requests for comment.
If implemented, the night curfew will be in force between 10 pm to 5 am. Essential services and emergency movement of vehicles will be allowed like in previous rounds of night curfew, the official quoted above said. Read more
The UK variant of Covid has been detected in a doctor in Solan, state special health secretary Nipun Jindal said Monday.
The presence of the variant has been detected by Delhi-based National Centre for Disease Control in the samples of the Covid patient taken a few days ago, he said.
While the UK variant has been found in neighbouring Punjab, this is reportedly the first such case in Himachal. There were six Covid-related deaths in the state on Monday, comprising three in Una district, and one each in Mandi, Sirmaur and Kangra districts. All the six deceased were males aged between 51 and 95. More details here.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said members of his party will get inoculated only after free anti-coronavirus vaccine is administered to the poor and indirectly questioned the efficacy of the vaccines.
He asked why doctors and directors of prominent institutes of the Centre were testing positive for the infection despite taking both the doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine.
"The Samajwadi (Party) people will take vaccines, only after free vaccines are administered to the poor people of the country. Why doctors and directors of prominent institutes of the Centre are testing COVID-19 positive despite taking both the doses of anti-COVID vaccines? The government should answer why this is happening," Yadav said, without elaborating. (PTI)
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has urged Centre to further lower the age group eligible for vaccination to 25 years in order to curb the intensity of the rising cases in Maharashtra.
Days after Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former Prime Minister H D Devegowda was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru after he complained of illness, the 87-year-old was discharged on Monday. After leaving the hospital, he also tweeted his gratitude to all the leaders, friends and party workers who wished him and his wife a speedy recovery.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expand the ongoing vaccination drive by allowing schools and community centres to be used as vaccination sites, apart from the existing healthcare facilities.
In a letter to the PM, Kejriwal also requested that the vaccine should be made available to people across age groups, except those who are medically barred from getting the shots. Doing so would ensure that all of Delhi gets vaccinated within three months, Kejriwal said.
This is the second time in a week that Kejriwal has advocated the need to relax the restrictions. His reiteration comes in the wake of a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the national capital, pushing up the city’s active caseload to 13,982.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with state chief ministers on April 8 at 6:30 pm to review the Covid-19 situation in the country.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday said that that if the conditions for opening new vaccination centres are relaxed and vaccination is opened for all, then the Delhi government will be able to vaccinate all citizens of Delhi within 3 months.
"Random testing is being done at a fast pace in Delhi. We are doing more than 80,000 tests daily. There were 86,899 tests done yesterday. We are doing 5 times more tests in Delhi than that of the national average," Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain was quoted as saying by ANI.
A 48-year-old Chartered Accountant in Hyderabad was arrested Monday morning for allegedly circulating a fake government order that announced imposition of partial lockdown in Telangana from April 1.
Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar, while speaking at a press conference on Monday, revealed that the fake ‘G.O. 45’, dated April 1, 2021, was a copy of last year’s G.O that was allegedly forged and circulated by one Sreepathi Sanjeev Kumar. The accused works as a Chartered Accountant with Karvy & Co. in Hyderabad.
A native of Nellore town in Andhra Pradesh, Kumar has been living in Hyderabad since 1993. According to the police, Kumar on April 1 downloaded and forged the G.O copy issued by Telangana government last year when a lockdown was imposed.
Bangladesh on Monday clamped a week-long nationwide lockdown, suspending public transport and shutting markets to combat the surge in coronavirus cases in the country, amidst demonstrations by small business owners against the move.
According to a government circular issued on Sunday, the directives will remain in effect from 6 am of April 5 till 12 midnight of April 11, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
People have been asked not to move out from their homes from 6 pm to 6 am, the report said. More details here.
Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar have tested positive for Covid-19. The two actors shared the news on Monday morning on Instagram, within minutes of each other. They have been working on Shashank Khaitan’s film, Mr Lele.
"I have tested positive for Covid-19. As of today, I have mild symptoms, but am feeling ok and have isolated myself. I am following the protocol given by my doctor and health professionals," Bhumi wrote in a note. She asked everyone who has been in contact with her to get themselves tested immediately.
Vicky Kaushal, meanwhile, said, "Inspite of all care and precautions, unfortunately, I have tested positive for Covid-19. Following all essential protocols, I am under home quarantine, taking medication as prescribed by my doctor. I request all those who came in contact with me to immediately get tested. Take care and stay safe.”
India’s manufacturing sector activity weakened sharply in March with the IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipping to a seven-month low of 55.4 from 57.5 in February. This marks an indication for slowdown in the manufacturing sector due to restrictions on account of the fresh surge in Covid-19 pandemic cases and the situation is set to turn more challenging in April. What does the PMI data indicate? Aanchal Magazine explains
The first image shows a long queue outside AMC's free Covid-19 testing booth in Vastrapur. The second and third images show citizens with difficulties in walking being vaccinated in the parking area during a inoculation drive at Parsi Sanatorium in Navrangpura. (Express photos: Nirmal Harindran)
Mumbai Police has issued a new curfew order based on the directions of the state government, informing people that a FIR will be registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Epidemic Diseases Act, Disaster Management Act and other legal provisions if curfew rules are violated from tonight.
The order will be implemented from 8 pm. An excerpt from the order reads, "From 7 am to 8 pm on Monday to Friday no more than 5 people to move together or gather in any public place. Rest of the period (i.e., from 8 pm to 7 am on weekdays, and from 8 pm Friday to Monday 7 am, no one to move in public place without valid reasons or by permission granted or any such other order issued by the competent authorities in this behalf." -- ENS
For those who are still searching for the closest vaccination centre, both Google Maps and MapMyIndia have this information. Here's how to find a vaccination centre close to your home on Google Maps: Simply type Covid 19 vaccination centre and the relevant results will appear. Make sure that location access is turned on for Google Maps. If location access is turned off, it will not be able to show the centres close to where you are located. Read more here
A sudden spike in the daily number of Covid cases in Delhi over the last one month has led to an increased demand for plasma, with several families queueing up at plasma banks even as donations have dipped. Plasma banks, however, have said they have enough plasma stored at the moment. While only 1-2 people were coming in February, March saw around 10 patients a day in need of plasma. Read Astha Saxena's report
With a consistent uptick in daily cases and fatalities, India’s covid-19 resurgence has hit Pune hard resulting in the city imposing strict restrictions for a week from April 3. To top this, Maharashtra introduced state wide restrictions till April 30.
?Things not allowed in Pune
?Things allowed in Pune
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine today. "Today I have taken first dose of 'swadeshi' coronavirus vaccine at Lucknow's Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital. I appeal to all those eligible to take vaccine to make UP 'Corona Free'. Come, we all contribute in the fight against the coronavirus," the CM tweeted. Adityanath was administered Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.
Here are some of the stories of small factory owners in Delhi’s industrial areas, who have had to either shut or shrink their business following the pandemic-induced lockdown
The benchmark equity indices on the BSE and National Stock Exchange (NSE) tumbled over 2 per cent in morning trade on Monday on news of daily coronavirus (COVID-19) infections surpassing the 1,00,000-mark for the first time, and states imposing fresh restrictions on public movement, thereby triggering concerns about the pace of the country’s economic recovery.
At 10.18 am, the S&P BSE Sensex slipped 1,303.60 points (2.61 per cent) lower at 48,726.23, while the broader Nifty 50 on NSE was down 367.05 points (2.47 per cent) at 14,500.30. Both the indices had opened over 0.5 per cent lower and slipped further as the trade progressed.
While some migrant workers in Maharashtra are mulling returning home, others have already begun leaving the city over the past two days. Some said they wanted to leave quickly as they feared train services could be stopped like last year.
“Last year, I reached my home in Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh) on feet. This time, I don’t want to be stuck in a similar situation. The vehicle’s owner told us that there will be no further work as new restrictions have been imposed by the government. I don’t have work now. It’s better to leave before they stop the trains again,” said Sonu Patel.
Sohanlaal, another migrant worker from UP’s Gonda district, said they neither have any money nor work, so they had decided to leave the city. "We came back in February, hoping that we would get some work. But in the past two months, Covid-19 cases went up and we could not find any work. With new restrictions imposed, we will not get any work. We don’t have the money to survive here. In the village, we can earn through farming,” he said. Read Laxman Singh, Tabassum Barnagarwala and Jayprakash S Naidu's report
A day after Akshay Kumar tested positive for the coronavirus, it has been confirmed that 45 crew members on Ram Setu sets have also contracted the disease. The tests were mandatory as the shoot of the film was set to begin at a new location in Mumbai from Monday. While more than 100 people were tested as a precautionary measure, results of 45 people came positive. The shoot has now been halted. Read more here
India detected more than one lakh cases for the first time, scaling a new peak. 103,558 cases were detected on Sunday, of which 57,074 were from Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra government has announced a slew of new restrictions, including night curfews and weekend lockdowns, to control the spike in Covid-19 cases in the state. The curbs come into force at 8 pm on Monday. Maharashtra Sunday recorded 57,074 fresh infections – its highest one-day rise since the pandemic began last year. Mumbai, too, reported its highest single-day spike of 11,163 new coronavirus cases.
India's daily Covid count scaled a new peak Sunday, with more than 1 lakh cases being reported for the first time ever. Over 57,000 positive cases were reported from Maharashtra alone, a new record for the state that has now imposed a weekend lockdown, as the national tally crossed 1.01 lakh. The previous high was achieved on September 16 last year, when 97,894 positive cases were reported. The numbers had started sliding after that, and the decline continued for five months before a surge, described as a “second wave”, started. Amitabh Sinha and Kaunain Sheriff M report