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Coronavirus News Highlights: Today is the 378th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. India recorded 96,982 coronavirus infections in a day pushing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,26,86,049. The death toll increased to 1,65,547 with 446 new fatalities. Registering a steady increase for the 27th day in a row, the active cases have increased to 7,88,223. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,17,32,279, with 50,143 discharges in the last 24 hours, the data stated. India's regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for two vaccines -- Covishield and Covaxin. All persons above the age of 45 are eligible to get vaccinated. Globally, more than 13.14 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 29.93 lakh have died so far.
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Maharashtra on April 6 reported 55,469 fresh COVID-19 cases, the second highest spike in the last two days, taking the tally of infections to 31,13,354 while 297 deaths pushed the toll to 56,330, the state health department said in its press release.
Meanwhile Mumbai recorded 10,040 new cases and 32 deaths on April 6. As of today, 34,256 people were discharged, taking the count of the recoveries in the state to 25,83,331, the department said in a release. The state's recovery rate now stands at 82.98 percent and the fatality rate is 1.81 per cent.
In view of imposition of night curfew in Delhi starting tonight, entry in metro from 10pm to 5am will be allowed only to those passengers who fall in essential category as per govt order, after verification of their valid IDs by DMRC/CISF personnel.
Shopkeepers took to the streets in Mumbai to protest against the Maharashtra government's directive to keep establishments selling non-essential goods shut till April 30 to control the rise in COVID-19 cases.
As per the state government's fresh curbs, shops and establishments dealing in non-essential commodities and services will have to stay shut till the end of the month.
Medical stores, shops selling vegetables, groceries, dairies, among other essential service providers are allowed to function.
According to the police, traders gathered in Borivali and Bhendi Bazaar area of south Mumbai shouting slogans and holding placards to protest the lockdown.
India's global leadership has been critical across a range of issues including delivering Covid vaccines to world. I'm particularly grateful that India is getting the job done on climate. You're indisputably world leader already in deployment of renewable energy
President Joe Biden was set to announce Tuesday that he is shaving about two weeks off his May 1 deadline for states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines.
With states gradually expanding eligibility beyond such priority groups as older people and essential, front-line workers, the president plans to announce that every adult in the U.S. will be eligible by April 19 to be vaccinated, a White House official said.
We have seen that the recent spike and spread has happened due to several factors. The country has opened up. As activities resumed, there has been a casual approach towards COVID appropriate behavior. There has been elections, panchayat elections, some places seeing Kumbh, travel activities have increased, offices have opened, social functions have increased, marriages have increased and yet masks are not being worn, I have observed all these issues. Fight against COVID is not rocket science. Mask and social distancing is the biggest social vaccine. Its time that we remind people about the covid appropriate behavior with strictness.
Worst affected state is Chhattisgarh with positivity rate of 20% & growth rate of 8%. There has been 10 fold rise in cases. In Punjab, 80% UK variant cases found, which was confirmed by genome sequencing.
Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan holds a meeting with Health Ministers of 11 states. "Our recovery rate is at 92.38%. Despite the increasing cases, fatality rate is at 1.30% of the country,"he says.
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.
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.
The "Bharat" star said she is currently following protocols listed by her doctors and thanked fans for their continued support.
"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.
Secretary: Cases per million in the country are 9,192 as compared to the world average of 16,783 cases per million
