Coronavirus India News Highlights: As many as 3,68,147 more people tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 1,99,25,604, said the Union health ministry on Monday morning. This marks a minimal decline in new infections as the country had passed the grim milestone of recording over 4 lakh cases on Saturday. The fatality count of the country went up in the same duration as 3,417 more people succumbed to the disease. The cumulative death toll now stands at 2,18,959. In addition to this, 3,00,732 were discharged from various hospitals, taking the total number of recoveries in India to 16,29,3003. The active tally saw a further spike to reach 34,13,642 in the last 24 hours.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Maharashtra reports 48,621 new COVID19 positive cases, 59,500 discharges, and 567 deaths. Total active cases in the state stand at6,56,870 while tally of total deaths climb to70,851.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
No shortage of oxygen in the country, use it judiciously, says govt
The Centre on Monday said medical oxygen being given to COVID-19 patients, especially in hospitals, should be used "judiciously" and claimed that there was "shortage" of the life-giving gas in the country.
At a routine briefing on steps taken by the government to battle the COVID-19 crisis, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Piyush Goyal told reporters that multiple efforts were being undertaken to enhance production and quickly transport oxygen to the hospitals and patients. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Bihar LIVE Updates | Mangal Pandey, Bihar Health Minister:
We're increasing beds in Patna as well as in other medical college hospitals. We've a continuous supply of oxygen & we're allotting oxygen to hospitals as per their need. We're also working on increasing the availability of oxygen.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Black marketing of COVID-19 drugs condemnable attempt to exploit peoples' misery: SC
Black marketing of critical COVID-19 drugs and oxygen is a condemnable attempt to exploit peoples'' misery, the Supreme Court has said, directing the Centre to consider constituting a special team to identify and prosecute offenders.
The apex court also said that a protocol must be evolved for ambulances to avoid extraction of unconscionable charges from citizens and the Centre can consider creating a platform for easy reporting and redressal of such cases.
A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that several critical drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, are being sold at significantly inflated prices or in fake form.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Punjab Chief Minister's Office:
Complete lockdown ruled out in the state, but strict measures to be taken if people don't comply with restrictions. All takeaway deliveries from restaurants to be disallowed, only home delivery permitted.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Joint Secy, Union Health Ministry:
Some states are showing increasing trends in COVID cases, these states should take required precautionary measures. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Karnataka Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya are among those states.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | NEET PG 2021 postponed for atleast four months, not to be held before August 31
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET PG 2021 has been postponed for at least 4 months and the exam will not be held before August 31, 2021.
"Students will also be given atleast one month of time after announcement of exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for Covid duties," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Full advance of over Rs 1,700 crore released to SII for 11 crore doses of Covishield on April 28, says govt
The Health Ministry on Monday said that 100 per cent advance of Rs 1732.50 crore was released to the Serum Institute of India on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July. The amount, which after TDS was Rs 1699.50 crore, was received by the SII on April 28 itself, it said. As on date, against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry said, adding, media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for COVID-19 vaccines are "incorrect and not based on facts".
Additionally, 100 per cent advance of Rs 787.50 crore (after TDS Rs 772.50 crore) was released on April 28 to Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) for five crore Covaxin doses during May, June and July. The amount was received by them on April 28. As on date against the last order of two crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | SBI allocates Rs 71 crore for fight against coronavirus
The country's largest lender SBI on Monday announced allocating Rs 71 crore towards the fight against COVID-19, a part of which will be used to set up a makeshift 1,000-bed hospital for the treatment of patients in some of the worst-affected states. State Bank of India (SBI) has allocated Rs 71 crore to undertake various support initiatives to combat the second wave of COVID-19, SBI said in a release.
The state-owned lender has allocated Rs 30 crore for a makeshift hospital while Rs 21 crore will be used to support initiatives such as procurement of life-saving healthcare equipment, oxygen supply to hospitals, Covid-care centres, ambulances, PPE kits, masks as well as food relief efforts.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | These major hospitals have begun inoculation drive for 18-44 age group
India has begun vaccinating all individuals above the age of 18 from May 1. In addition to the government-run COVID-19 centres, vaccines are also available at private hospitals and clinics.
Fortis Healthcare
Fortis Healthcare has participated in the COVID-19 immunisation drive. Potential beneficiaries can book an appointment via the Co-Win app.
Apollo Hospitals
Apollo Hospitals has said that registration for the COVID-19 vaccine is open for everyone above 18 years. It has said that the vaccine drive will be further ramped up in the coming weeks.
Max Healthcare
Max Healthcare chain is also participating in the next phase of the India's vaccination drive. COVID-19 vaccines are available at select Max Hospitals for citizens above 18 years from May 1.
Medanta
COVID-19 vaccination for age 18-44 is available in Medanta Gurgaon and Medanta CyberCity, as per the hospital's website. People can book appointments via the Co-Win app.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive: Shortage, pricing, and missing May 1 deadline
Though the Union government has allowed the extension of the COVID-19 vaccination coverage to the 18-45 age group from May 1, many states have announced that they are not in a position to do so anytime soon. States have earlier assured people that they would provide the jabs free of cost for the 18-45 age group, after the Centre said it would reserve its quota exclusively for people above 45 years, healthcare and frontline workers.
A few states like Maharashtra and Gujarat started inoculating lower age groups on May 1, but in very limited numbers. They did this by diverting some stocks, from the Centre, meant for those aged 45 years and above. Large private hospital chains have announced rolling out COVID-19 vaccination, but it will come at a price.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ten states account for over 73% of new COVID-19 cases
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi are among 10 states that account for 73.78 per cent of the new 3,68,147 COVID-19 cases registered in a day, while the daily positivity rate has increased to 21.19 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 56,647. It is followed by Karnataka with 37,733 while Kerala reported 31,959 new cases, the ministry said.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are the other states on the list of 10. India's total active caseload has reached 4,13,642 and now comprises 17.13 per cent of the country's total infections. A net increase of 63,998 cases has been recorded in the total active caseload in a day.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | After KKR, three members of CSK contingent test COVID-19 positive
Shortly after two players of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) tested positive for COVID-19, three members of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) contingent were also found infected, reports said on May 3.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | PM Modi, European Commission president exchange views on COVID-19 situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Monday exchanged views on the COVID-19 situation in India and the European Union, a statement said. India’s ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic''s second wave was discussed. Modi expressed his appreciation of the EU and its member states for mobilising quick support for India’s fight against the pandemic.
They noted that the India-EU strategic partnership was witnessing a renewed momentum since the last summit in July, it said, adding that the leaders agreed that the forthcoming India-EU Leaders’ Meeting on May 8 in virtual format was an important opportunity to provide renewed momentum to their already multi-faceted relationship. "The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting will be the first meeting in the EU+27 format and reflects the shared ambition of both sides for further strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership," the statement said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indonesia says finds two cases of Indian COVID-19 variant in Jakarta
Indonesia has recorded two cases of a highly infectious COVID-19 variant first identified in India in the capital Jakarta, the country's health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Monday. "There were two new mutations that entered. One from India, with two incidents in Jakarta and one from South Africa in Bali," Budi told a virtual conference. Another official confirmed the two cases were the B.1.617 variant, first detected in India. Indonesia last week stopped issuing visas for foreigners who had been in India in the previous 14 days.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Partial curfew in Andhra Pradesh from May 5
A partial curfew from 12 noon to 6 am will be imposed in Andhra Pradesh from Wednesday for two weeks to curb coronavirus that has been on a virulent spread. At a high-level review meeting on the prevailing situation here on Monday, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced this decision, official sources said.
Shops would be allowed to open daily from 6 am to 12 noon, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in force. Thereafter, only emergency services would be allowed as curfew would be clamped till 6 AM. For the past few days, night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am is in force in the state to contain COVID-19. But with the number of cases growing in record numbers daily, the Chief Minister decided to impose further restrictions to break the chain, the sources said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi airport handled 25 flights carrying 300 tonnes of COVID relief cargo in last 5 days
The Delhi international airport handled 25 flights carrying 300 tonnes of COVID-19 relief cargo in the last five days, its operator, DIAL, said on Monday. The airport has set up a 3,500 square metre dedicated logistics facility, called ''Jeevoday warehouse'', for interim storage and distribution of the relief materials, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said in a statement. India is struggling with the second wave of the coronavirus infection as hospitals in several states are reeling under a severe shortage of drugs, oxygen and beds.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccine shortage in India will continue till July, says Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla
India's coronavirus vaccine shortage will continue through July, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has said, a remark that hardly offers comfort as the country's vaccination programme has been hit by low supply even as the second COVID wave shows no signs of abating. Speaking to the London-based Financial Times, the 40-year-old Poonawalla said that the shortage would continue through July when production is expected to increase from about 60-70 million doses a month to 100 million.
The company did not boost its manufacturing capacity in advance because "there were no orders", he said. "We did not think we needed to make more than 1 billion doses a year," SII CEO added. SII's Covishield, which is the local name for the Oxford University-AstraZaneca's jab, is the mainstay of India's vaccination programme. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin is the other vaccine that is in use, while Russia-made Sputnik V, too, has been cleared but is yet to be launched.
Poonawalla said that the authorities did not expect the second wave to hit India after cases declined in January. "Everybody really felt that India had started to turn the tide on the pandemic," he was quoted as saying by FT. Poonawalla said the Serum Institute had been maligned by politicians and critics over the shortages, the report said. It was the government, not the company, that was responsible for policy, he said. "I have been victimised very unfairly and wrongly," Poonawalla said. This the second time in less than a week that Poonawalla, who recently arrived in London for an 'extended stay", has talked about the pressure he faced.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Odisha formally launches third phase of COVID-19 vaccination for 18-44 age group
Odisha formally launched the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination for people in the 18-44 age group here on Monday, with beneficiaries being administered the first dose of Covaxin, a health department official said. The drive is underway at all government hospitals in the state capital. The third-phase of vaccination is taking place between 8 am and 1 pm, while those above 45 years will receive the shots from 3-6 pm, according to the schedule announced by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
People who have registered on COWIN, UMANG or Arogya Setu are being administered the jabs, he said. The third phase had a symbolic dry-run on Saturday after the state received 1.5 lakh doses. The civic body has set a target of vaccinating 5 lakh people in Bhubaneswar for which it requires about 10.34 lakh doses, the official said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Fitness guru Luke Coutinho donates to Paytm’s COVID relief drive fund to meet oxygen crisis
When celebrities with a conscience get into the voluntary mode, it gives the cause a good name. Nutritionist Luke Coutinho has donated Rs one crore to mobile payments and financial services company Paytm, for procurement of oxygen concentrators. The shortage of oxygen concentrators is one of the biggest issues that the country is facing due to the current, seemingly unstoppable spike in COVID-19 cases.
To address this subject, Paytm recently started an initiative called 'Oxygen for Life' to raise Rs 20 crore through donations to supply concentrators for oxygen plants across India. This caught Coutinho's attention. "I knew Paytm was helping with oxygen concentrators and that's what I wanted to do. While a lot of people are doing food, I think it can be managed. But oxygen, we can’t live without it for three minutes. So, I called Vijay (Shekhar, founder of Paytm) but he was unable to answer so I messaged him. Next day, it was all over Twitter," Coutinho told Moneycontrol over a call from Goa where he is currently based.
Ask Coutinho why he specifically chose Paytm, he says, "I chose Paytm because it is transparent and I know Vijay personally. And the cause matched with what I wanted to do. Also, what I like about Paytm is you can donate and if an organization needs oxygen you can put in a request. So, it is easy and not fragmented. This is why I could make the decision in a split second." At the time of writing this article, Paytm has raised over Rs 17 crore out of the Rs 20 crore the company had planned through their initiative. In addition, 1,365 oxygen concentrators have been requested on the platform so far.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Russia, facing lags, turns to China to produce Sputnik shots
Russia is turning to multiple Chinese firms to manufacture the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in an effort to speed up production as demand soars for its shot. Russia has announced three deals totaling 260 million doses with Chinese vaccine companies in recent weeks. It’s a decision that could mean quicker access to a shot for countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa that have ordered Russia’s vaccine, as the U.S. and the European Union focus mainly on domestic vaccination needs. Earlier criticism about Russia’s vaccine have been largely quieted by data published in the British medical journal The Lancet that said large-scale testing showed it to be safe, with an efficacy rate of 91%.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 curfew extended by two days in Uttar Pradesh
Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday decided to increase the duration of the weekend lockdown by 48 hours to cover Tuesday and Wednesday also. "The corona curfew from Friday 8 pm to Tuesday 7 am has been extended for 48 hours. Now it will continue till May 6 till 7 am," Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal told PTI.
All shops and establishments will now remain closed till Thursday 7 am. This arrangement is for this week only, he said adding that decision has been taken for breaking the chain of coronavirus. During this period, all essential services will be allowed and vaccination drive will continue, a senior official said, but refused to term it as a "lockdown", preferring "closure" instead On April 29, the state government had announced that weekend lockdowns will now cover Mondays too.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Pfizer donates $70 million worth COVID-19 treatment drugs to India
Global pharma major Pfizer is sending its medicines worth USD 70 million (over Rs 510 crore), from its distribution centres in the US, Europe and Asia, that have been identified as part of India''s COVID-19 treatment protocol, the company''s Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said on Monday. "We are deeply concerned by the critical COVID-19 situation in India, and our hearts go out to you, your loved ones and all the people of India," he said in a mail sent to Pfizer India employees that he has shared on his linked.in post.
"We are committed to being a partner in India''s fight against this disease and are quickly working to mobilize the largest humanitarian relief effort in our company''s history," Bourla said. Right now, Pfizer colleagues at distribution centres in the US, Europe and Asia are hard at work rushing shipments of Pfizer medicines that the Government of India has identified as part of its COVID-19 treatment protocol, he added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Australian PM Scott Morrison defends ban on citizens returning from India; says it's in best interests'
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday defended his government's decision to ban and impose a jail term and a penalty for Australians trying to return from India, saying it is in the country's best interests and to prevent a third wave of infections. The Australian government, for the first time in history, recently imposed a ban on its citizens from returning home, if they have spent time in India up to 14 days before flying back.
The government threatened to prosecute them with a possibility of five years of jail term or a penalty of 66,000 Australian dollars (USD 50,899). Morrison said this is a temporary arrangement and a very difficult decision. It has been put in place to ensure that we do not get a third wave here in Australia and that our quarantine system can remain strong, he said, adding that it is in the country's best interests.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Mizoram reports 74 fresh COVID-19 cases, one more fatality
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 6,358 on Monday as 74 more people tested positive for novel coronavirus, an official said. One more fatality, a 64-year-old man from Aizawl, pushed the death toll to 16, he said. Of the new cases, 42 infections were reported from the state capital, 18 from Lunglei and eight from Lawngtlai district.
Mizoram now has 1,296 active cases, while 5,046 people have recovered from the disease. At least 3,10,058 samples have been tested for COVID- 19 so far, including 1,231 since Sunday. According to State Immunisation Officer Lalzawmi, 2,09,089 people have been administered the first dose of the vaccine, and 46,018 received both the doses till May 1. Commencing from Monday, the state government has imposed lockdown in all the district headquarters till 4 am of May 11.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | KKR vs RCB match postponed amid COVID-19 scare
The Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) postponed as a precautionary measure after some players reportedly fell ill. The two teams were scheduled to play in Match 30 of the 2021 IPL season at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on May 3. The match is currently scheduled to begin at 7.30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST).
News reports suggested that there was a COVID-19-related scare in the Knight Riders’ camp. Australia's The Age newspaper reported that several personnel within the KKR camp are unwell. Knight Riders players and staff were isolating. The KKR management, the IPL Governing Council and the BCCI have not confirmed this yet. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the news reports. All teams, broadcast crew and organisers are in a bio-secure bubble amid the COVID-19 second wave. While the tournament has continued, multiple players have withdrawn in recent days.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Australia's India policy on travel criticised, called 'racist'
From May 3, any Australian citizen who travels to their homeland from India will face fines and up to five years in prison. This move by the Australian authorities is being called 'racist' and a breach of human rights, the BBC reported. The flights have been banned till May 15 due to the massive surge in COVID-19 cases in India . Australian residents and citizens who have been in India within 14 days of the date they plan to return home will be banned from entering Australia as of May 3.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dismissed accusations of racism. "The same accusations were made against the government over a year ago when we closed the borders to mainland China," Morrison told Sydney radio station 2GB. "There's no politics or ideology in a pandemic...It's got nothing to do with politics, this is a virus," he said. This the first time Australians have been criminalised for returning to their country, BBC reported citing local media.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Odisha logs 8,914 new COVID-19 cases, five fresh fatalities
Odisha''s COVID-19 caseload on Monday surged to 4,71,536 after 8,914 more people tested positive for the infection, while five fresh fatalities pushed the toll to 2,073, a health department official said. Of the 8,914 new cases, 5,081 were reported from various quarantine centres, and the rest detected during contact tracing, the official said.
Khurda district, of which state capital Bhubaneswar is a part, reported the maximum number of fresh cases at 1,258, followed by Sundergarh at 592, Cuttack at 587, Puri at 530 and Sambalpur at 520. As many as 23 districts reported over 100 cases, including Bargarh, Nabarangpur, Bhadrak, Angul, Jharsuguda and Bolangir, the official said. Taking to Twitter, the health department said, "Regret to inform about the demise of five Covid positive patients while under treatment in hospitals." Three fatalities were recorded in Sundergarh and two in Khurda, he said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | SC directs Centre to revisit current vaccine policy, says it may create disparity
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to revisit its COVID-19 vaccine pricing policy, saying it would prima facie result in a detriment to the right to public health. A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said as of date, the manufacturers have suggested two different prices, a lower price which is applicable to the Centre and a higher price which is applicable to the quantities purchased by state governments.
The apex court said that compelling state governments to negotiate with manufacturers on grounds of promoting competition and making it attractive for new vaccine manufacturers will result in a serious detriment to those in the age group of 18 to 44 years, who will be vaccinated by state governments. The social strata of this age group also comprises persons who are Bahujans or belong to other underprivileged and marginalised groups, like many in the other population age groups. They may not have the ability to pay.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Natco gets CDSCO nod for emergency use of Baricitinib tablets for COVID-19 treatment
Drug major Natco Pharma on Monday said it has received emergency use approval for Baricitinib tablets, for the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients, from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India. CDSCO is responsible for approval of drugs, conduct of clinical trials, laying down the standards for drugs, control over the quality of imported drugs in the country and coordination of the activities of state drug control organisations.
'Natco Pharma Ltd has received emergency use approval for Baricitinib tablets, 1mg, 2mg and 4mg strengths from Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India,' the company said in a regulatory filing.Baricitinib in combination with Remdesivir, is used for treatment of COVID-19 positive patients, the company said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Lockdown to continue in Goa's tourist hotspots, says Minister
Tourist hotspots like Calangute and Candolim in North Goa will continue to be under lockdown, even as the government has lifted the lockdown in other parts the state, Ports Minister Michael Lobo said on Monday.Goa, a popular tourism destination, reported an extremely high COVID-19 test positivity rate of over 50 per cent last Thursday, following which the state government imposed the lockdown from April 29.
The lockdown was lifted at 6 am on Monday.However, Lobo told PTI that the lockdown will continue in the tourism belt of North Goa district to break the chain of the viral infection."We are going to continue a strict lockdown in the villages of Calangute, Candolim and Arpora-Nagoa," Lobo said.The panchayats of these three areas, which are very popular among tourists, have passed orders to continue the lockdown to curb the spread of the infection, said the MLA from Calangute.Local administration will ensure proper availability of the essential commodities for people living in these areas, Lobo said.Currently, there are 1,611 active COVID-19 cases in these areas, as per the state health directorate.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Telangana adds 5,695 COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths take toll to 2,417
Telangana reported 5,695 fresh COVID-19 casestaking the tally to over 4.55 lakh while the toll rose to 2,417 with 49 more casualties, the state government said on Monday. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 1,352, followed by Rangareddy (483) and Medchal Malkajgiri (427), it said in a bulletin said on Sunday providing details as of 8 PM on May 2.
The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 4, 56,485 while with 6206 patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3, 73,933. The state has 80,135 active cases and over 58 thousand samples were tested on Sunday. Cumulatively, over 1.31 crore samples have been tested. The samples tested per million population was over 3.52 lakh, the bulletin said.
The case fatality rate in the state was 0.52 per cent, while it was 1.1 per cent at the national level. The recovery rate in Telangana was 81.91 per cent, while it was 81.7 per cent in the country. The state has 199 active micro containment zones.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Centre should bear expenses of treatment of COVID-19 patients from weaker sections, says Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Monday demanded that the Centre should bear the expenses of treatment of COVID-19 patients from the poor and the weaker sections, and administer free vaccines to all. If the Centre refuses to accept this, state governments must take up the responsibility themselves by cutting down on non-essential expenditure, she said. "Rising above party politics, all parties should demand that the central government bear all expenses for the treatment of COVID-19-affected poor and weaker section people and administer the vaccine free of cost," Mayawati said in a series of tweets in Hindi.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Here is what CII President Uday Kotak suggests to ‘reduce suffering’
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President Uday Kotak called for curtailment of economic activity "to reduce suffering" due to the deadly second wave of COVID-19 cases in India. The veteran banker, who is the CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, said "Given the current pandemic situation, safeguarding lives is of utmost priority and nationwide maximal response measure at the highest level is called for to cut the transmission links. The healthcare infrastructure and supply build-up are being undertaken on emergency basis by the governments at the centre and states, but will take time."
"At this critical juncture when toll of lives is rising, CII urges the strongest national steps including curtailing economic activity to reduce suffering," Kotak said in a statement. India reported 3.68 lakh new COVID-19 cases and 3,417 deaths on May 2, according to the Union health ministry's latest update. There is a shortage of medical oxygen and hospital beds in most parts of the country. Many states have imposed lockdowns, weekend lockdowns, night curfews and other restrictions to curb the spread of infections.
Here are some of the other suggestions the CII made:
> Deployment armed forces and central security forces for logistics, infrastructure and personnel.
> Setting up of temporary medical facilities with the armed forces and other paramilitary forces, using existing infrastructure facilities like school and college premises, sheds, parks with tents, etc as Covid care facilities.
> Distribution of vaccination supplies to states according to well-defined criteria.
> Scaling up RT-PCR testing to double the current daily numbers both in urban and rural India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | SC directs Centre to prepare buffer stock of oxygen for use in emergencies
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to prepare a buffer stock of oxygen for emergency purposes in collaboration with states and decentralise the location of the stocks so that it is immediately available if the normal supply chain is disrupted. A three-judge bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said the emergency stocks shall be created within the next four days and replenished on a day-to-day basis, in addition to the existing allocation of medical oxygen supply to the states.
"We direct the central government in collaboration with the states to prepare a buffer stock of oxygen to be used for emergency purposes to ensure supply lines continue to function even in unforeseen circumstances. The location of the emergency stocks shall be decentralised so as to be immediately available if the normal supply chain is disrupted to any hospital for any reason," the bench said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Over 12 lakh people in India get jabbed on May 2, more than 15.7 crore shots administered so far
As many as 12.1 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in India on May 2, according to the Union Health Ministry's latest provisional report. With that, more than 15.7 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the country so far. On May 2, 8.4 lakh beneficiaries received their first shot and 3.6 lakh people were given their second dose.
This included healthcare and frontline workers, people aged over 60 and beneficiaries above the age of 45 with or without comorbidities. The government had earlier revised the gap between the two doses for the Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield, being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, to six-eight weeks. However, the interval for the second dose of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin remains unchanged.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccination for people above 18 begins in Delhi
The third and largest phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive to inoculate people in 18-45 age group began here Monday morning. Around 90 lakh people are eligible for the jabs under this category in Delhi. Five vaccination booths each have been set up at 77 schools for the exercise, an official said. The government set up the vaccination centres at schools to accommodate the large number of beneficiaries, he added.
Till now, vaccines were being given to those aged above 45 at around 500 centres in the national capital. Pre-registration is mandatory for vaccination in the 18-45 age group, and there will be no walk-ins under this category for now, the official said. Three big private hospital chains Apollo, Fortis and Max have already started vaccinating people in the 18-45 age group at limited centres from Saturday.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India records 3,68,147 new cases in single day
The daily COVID-19 cases in India showed a slight dip with 3,68,147 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, taking the total tally of cases to 1,99,25,604, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death toll increased to 2,18,959 with 3,417 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
While the country recorded 4,01,993 new cases on May 1, it had registered 3,92,488 cases on May 2. Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 34,13,642 comprising 17.13 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 81.77 per cent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1, 62,93,003, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.10 per cent, the data stated.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Partial lockdown imposed in Punjab till May 15, COVID-19 test must to enter state
The Punjab government on May 3 announced a slew of lockdown-like restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19. In addition to the existing night curfew and weekend lockdown, the government announced stricter curbs like mandatory negative COVID-19 test report to enter the state and 50 percent staff strength at government offices.
Those who wish to enter Punjab by air, rail or road must have a negative COVID-19 report which is not more than 72-hour old or produces a vaccination certificate, of at least one dose, over two weeks old, the order issued by the Department of Home Affairs said. All four-wheeler passenger vehicles, including cars and taxis, will not be allowed to seat more than two passengers. However, vehicles carrying patients to hospitals will be exempted, according to the directions.
It also stated that pillion riding on scooters and motorcycles will not be allowed except for those belonging to the same family and living in the same house. All shops selling non-essential items will remain shut. Those dealing in medicines and essential items like milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy and poultry products like eggs, meat and mobile repair will be allowed. All government offices, as well as banks, will work at 50 percent strength other than those where officials are involved in COVID management, according to the new directives, which also stated that deputy commissioners are authorised to draft services of any official for COVID management and related duties.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indian-origin billionaire businessman Vinod Khosla pledges $10 million for oxygen supply in India
Indian-origin billionaire businessman Vinod Khosla has pledged USD 10 million for supplying medical oxygen to hospitals in India amidst an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Taking to Twitter, the 66-year-old venture capitalist said that there was a need to save lives as further delay may end up in more deaths.
"For @GiveIndia this isn''t enough. They''ve received requests for 20,000 oxygen concentrators, 15,000 cylinders, 500 ICU beds, 100 ventilators, 10,000-beds COVID centres with requests coming from non-profits & hospitals all across India every day. We need to do a lot more urgently,” Khosla said on Sunday. This is in continuation with the Sun Microsystems co-founder’s efforts to fund hospitals for oxygen supplies.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Thane reports 2,774 new COVID-19 cases, 42 more deaths
With the addition of 2,774 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has reached 4,72,794, an official said on Monday. These new cases were reported on Sunday, he said. The virus also claimed the lives of 42 more people, raising the death toll in the district to 7,685, he said. The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 1.62 per cent, he added.
Details of recovered and under-treatment patients were not provided by the district administration. In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count has gone up to 88,625, while the death toll has reached 1,593, another official said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India daily tally witnesses a slight decline, active cases rise to 34.13 lakh
As many as 3,68,147 more people tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 1,99,25,604, said the Union health ministry on Monday morning. This marks a minimal decline in new infections as the country had passed the grim milestone of recording over 4 lakh cases on Saturday.
The fatality count of the country went up in the same duration as 3,417 more people succumbed to the disease. The cumulative death toll now stands at 2,18,959. In addition to this, 3,00,732 were discharged from various hospitals, taking the total number of recoveries in India to 16,29,3003. The active tally saw a further spike to reach 34,13,642 in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala writes to Nirmala Sitharaman for GST exemption on oxygen concentrators
Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging the Centre to consider exempting GST on oxygen concentrators to make these machines more affordable for the public amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
"As we know that most of the oxygen concentrators are not produced domestically and large quantities of such concentrators are being imported presently in view of the current pandemic crisis, I request you to consider exempting GST on oxygen concentrators for the time being thereby making oxygen concentrators more affordable for the public," Chautala wrote in his letter, which he put on his Twitter handle.
In his letter, the Jannayak Janta Party leader, whose party is a coalition partner of the BJP in Haryana, conveyed his gratitude to the Government of India for slashing the Integrated GST rate on oxygen concentrators for personal use to 12 per cent, from 28 per cent earlier, for two months.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Britain to send 1,000 more ventilators to India
Britain will send another 1,000 ventilators to India, the government said on Sunday, stepping up its support as India's healthcare system struggles to cope with a huge surge in cases of COVID-19. India has reported more than 300,000 daily cases for more than 10 days straight, leaving hospitals, morgues and crematoriums overwhelmed.
The British government had previously agreed to send 600 medical devices, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators. "This support will help urgently meet some of India's acute needs, particularly oxygen for patients," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. "We are determined to help our Indian friends in their hour of need."
Top British health officials have also spoken to their Indian counterparts to offer advice. Other nations, including the United States, Germany and Pakistan, are also providing support as the number of infections daily in India reached 392,488, with a total death toll of over 215,000. The latest support from Britain comes ahead of a call between prime ministers Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi, scheduled for Tuesday, which will look at deepening bilateral ties.
The meeting replaces an in-person visit Johnson was due to make in April, but had to cancel due to the surge in infections. Modi's government is reluctant to impose a national lockdown, but nearly 10 Indian states and union territories have imposed some form of restrictions.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates
| More than 78 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs which will receive over56 lakh additional doses within the next 3 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. The Government of India has so far provided nearly 16.54 crore vaccine doses (16,54,93,410) to states and UTs free of cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is15,76,32,631 doses.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Haryana to go under a week-long lockdown starting May 3, says Haryana Minister Anil Vij
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Govt working on converting nitrogen plants into oxygen plants, says PM Modi
In order to ramp up oxygen supplies, the Government is working on converting nitrogen plants into oxygen plants. Potential industries where current nitrogen plants could be spared, are being identified & converted: PM Narendra Modi
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Taiwan delivers to India 150 oxygen concentrators, 500 oxygen cylinders
Taiwan delivered to India 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders to assist the country in its fight against a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) said more batches of medical equipment and supplies will be airlifted to India soon.
"To express strong friendship with India in its fight against a new wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Taiwan is delivering critical medical supplies to India. The first batch of 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders have arrived in New Delhi on Sunday," the TECC said. The TECC is Taiwan's representative office in India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Haven't received stock to vaccinate people above 45 years and above for today, says BMC
BMC tells CNBC-TV18 that it hasn't received stock to vaccinate people above 45 years & above for today. It hopes to start vaccinating them from May 4. 'Hoping to have simultaneous vaccination drive for 45 yrs & above, 18-44 years from May 4,' it said.
