Coronavirus News Highlights: India reported the highest single-day rise of 2,17,353 new coronavirus infections on April 16, pushing the total tally of cases to 1,42,91,917, while the active cases surpassed the 15-lakh mark. The death toll increased to 1,74,308 with 1,185 new fatalities, the data showed. Registering a steady increase for the 37th day in a row, the active cases increased to 15,69,743. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,25,47,866. The total number of vaccinations across the country surpassed the 11.72 crore mark on April 15, with more than 26.02 lakh vaccine doses being administered till 8 pm. India's regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for three vaccines -- Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V. All persons above the age of 45 are eligible to get vaccinated. Globally, more than 13.84 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 31.14 lakh have died so far.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra, Delhi clock highest single-day COVID-19 surge
Maharashtra, with over 63,700 fresh cases and Delhi, with more than 19,400 new cases, recorded their sharpest single-day COVID-19 spikes since the onset of pandemic last year.
Maharashtra reported a total of 63,729 fresh coronavirus cases,taking the overall tally past the 37-lakh mark. The corresponding period also saw 398 more fatalities, pushingthe state's cumulative death toll to 59,551.
The Mumbai division, including Mumbai city and its satellite towns, recorded 17,635 cases and 73 deaths, taking the count of cases to 11,68,411 and the fatalities to 21,489
Delhi recorded its highest-ever one-day COVID-19 figures with 19,486 cases and 141 deaths beingreported, prompting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to order setting up more coronavirus facilities and increase the strength of oxygen beds.
Lt Governor Anil Baijal also directed Chief Secretary Vijay Dev to set up helplines for information on availability of hospital beds, besides establishing help desks at every COVID-dedicated health facility to assist patients and their attendants. Kejriwal appointed his deputy Manish Sisodia the nodal minister' for overall COVID-19 management in the city and assigned him the responsibility of inter-ministerial coordination.
With PTI inputs
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Pune district reports over 10,000 fresh COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra's Pune district reported10,963 fresh COVID-19 cases, 109 fatalities and 10,282 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Here are the district's key statistics:
- Active cases: 99,431
- Total cases: 6,96,933
- Total recoveries: 5,86,459
- Death toll: 11,212
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Tripura schools shut from April 17 as precautionary measure
Classes of schools, colleges and universities in the state remain suspended from April 17 as a precautionary measure,Tripura Education Minister Ratanlal Nath announced.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | West Bengal reports 6,910 new COVID19 cases, 2,818 recoveries and 26 fatalities in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 6,43,795
Death toll: 10,506
Active cases: 41,047
Total recoveries: 5,92,242
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Madhya Pradesh reports 11,045 new COVID19 cases, 7,496 recoveries and 60 deaths in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 3,84,563
Total recoveries: 3,20,955
Active cases: 59,183
Death toll: 4,425
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Punjab registers 3,915 new COVID19 cases, 3,129 recoveries and 51 deaths in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 2,90,707
Total recoveries: 2,52,190
Active cases: 30,745
Death toll: 7,772
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Mumbai reports 8839 new COVID19 cases, 9033 discharges and 53 deaths.
Total positive cases: 5,61,998
Total discharges: 4,63,344
Death toll: 12,242
Active cases: 85,226
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Delhi records 19,486 new COVID19 cases, 141 fatalities and 12,649 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 8,03,623
Active cases: 61,005
Total recoveries: 7,30,825
Death toll: 11,793
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
COVID19 cases are increasing in Goa and we have kept medical facilities prepared. We can fight coronavirus by wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and increasing testing, night curfew or lockdown is not the solution: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Examinations for Classes 9 and 11 have been cancelled in MadhyaPradesh. Students will be promoted on the basis of internal assessments.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Gujarat registers 8,920 new COVID19 cases, 94 deaths and 3,387 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 3,84,688
Total recoveries: 3,29,781
Active cases: 49,737
Death toll: 5,170
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Rajasthan records 7,359 fresh COVID19 cases, 31 deaths and 2,791 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 3,95,309
Death toll: 3,072
Total recoveries: 3,38,424
Active cases: 53,813
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh reports 6,096 new COVID19 cases, 20 deaths and 2,194 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 35,592
Total cases: 9,48,231
Death toll: 7,373
Total recoveries: 9,05,266
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Karnataka govt issues new guidelines; not more than 200 ppl allowed in open space&100 ppl in closed space for weddings. 25 ppl to be allowed during last rites. No religious gatherings allowed; not more than 200 ppl allowed in political programs in open space.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
State govt has placed order for purchasing 70,000 doses of Remdesivir, 20,000 doses are being supplied today. Govt has stock of 30000 doses & there is no shortage. Govt is also examining the request of private hospitals to supply Remdesivir: Karnataka Chief Minister's Office
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Chandigarh reports 481 new COVID19 cases in the last 24 hours; case tally at 32,878
Active cases: 3,423
Death toll: 408
Total recoveries: 29,047
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
EC bans rallies, public meetings in West Bengal from 7 pm to 10 am beginning Friday due to rise in COVID19 cases (PTI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Today 24 saints who attended Kumbh Mela have tested positive for COVID19 today; so far, 54 saints tested positive for the disease: Dr SK Jha, Chief Medical Officer, Haridwar.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Nagpur district reports 6,194 fresh COVID19 cases, 75 deaths and 5,894 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 3,09,043
Total recoveries: 2,38,599
Active cases: 64,335
Death toll: 6,109
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
In light of the nationwide surge in COVID19 cases, CISCE has decided to defer the ICSE Classes 10 and 12 examinations; the final decision on new dates of examination will be taken by the 1st week of June 2021
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
In view of rising COVID19 cases, Indian Army has issued directions to reduce physical attendance in its offices by 50%. Those attending offices have been told to stagger timings, ensure all protocols & avoid crowding. Meetings/conferences to be done virtually as much as possible
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Situation is more worrisome during Covid 2. New infections & deaths are consistently increasing. A mass movement is needed to compete with COVID19 as the common man is the biggest warrior in fight against this virus: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Karnataka reports 14,859 new COVID19 positive cases, 4,031 discharges and 78 deaths
Total positive cases: 11,24,509
Total discharges: 10,03,985
Death toll: 13,190
Active cases: 1,07,315
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar tests positive for COVID19.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | High level COVID-19 meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla along with Rajesh Bhushan
Union Home SecretaryAjay Kumar Bhalla along with Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretarychaired high-level meetings today to review status of COVID19 in Chhattisgarh & UP & public health measures taken for containment & management of COVID19 by State health authorities: Health Ministry
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Odisha logs 3,108 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more fatalities
Odishas COVID-19 caseload on Friday mounted to 3,61,450 after 3,108 more people tested on Friday mounted to 3,61,450 after 3,108 more people testedpositive for the infection, while three fresh fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,938, a health department official said. Meanwhile, keeping in view the COVID-19 surge,Odisha's major tourist destination, the Sun Temple in Konark, has been closed with immediate effect.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | People flouting curbs to be tested for COVID-19 in Aurangabad
The civic body in Maharashtra's Aurangabad city has appointed 12 teams to take action against people roaming around in public without any valid reason despite the COVID-19 curbs, an official said on Friday. As a deterrent, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will make violators undergo COVID-19 tests, municipal commissioner Astik Kumar said in a tweet. As a deterrent, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will make violators undergo COVID-19 tests, municipal commissioner Astik Kumar said in a tweet. (PTI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Niranjani Akhara's Ravindra Puri tests positive for COVID-19 days afterattending the Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand's Haridwar. (Input from ANI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | PM Modi calls for increasing production of medical grade oxygen
Amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday undertook a comprehensive review to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the country and called for ramping up its production. With cases hitting a new peak in several parts of the country, the demand for medical oxygen has increased as it is a critical component in the treatment of COVID-19-affected patients. With cases hitting a new peak in several parts of the country, the demand for medical oxygen has increased as it is a critical component in the treatment of COVID-19-affected patients.
Prime Minister Modi took a comprehensive review to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the country, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. Inputs from ministries like health, steel, road transport, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) were also shared with the prime minister during the review, it said.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Thailand to close schools, bars after surge in COVID-19 cases
Thailand will close close schools, bars and massage parlours, as well as ban alcohol sales in restaurants, for at least two weeks starting from Sunday after a jump in COVID-19 cases, a senior official said. Activities involving more than 50 people will also be prohibited, Thailand's coronavirus taskforce spokesman, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, said, adding that 18 provinces including Bangkok had been labelled as red zones with the rest of the country categorised as orange zones. (Reuters)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Rajnath Singh instructs DRDO to construct 2 COVID hospitals with 600 beds in Lucknow
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has instructed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to construct two hospitals, with 250-300 beds each, for COVID-19 patients in Lucknow, sources said on Friday. According to Singh's instructions, a DRDO team is reaching Lucknow on Friday, they noted. According to Singh's instructions, a DRDO team is reaching Lucknow on Friday, they noted.
These hospitals will be constructed on two different places in the city on a mission mode, the sources stated. Each of these two hospitals will have 250-300 beds, they said. Each of these two hospitals will have 250-300 beds, they said. (PTI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
WHO chief calls growth in virus cases ''worrying''The head of the World Health Organisation said coronavirus cases are continuing to rise globally at worrying rates and noted that the number of new cases confirmed per week has nearly doubled during the past two months. At a press briefing on Friday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of new cases is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far in the pandemic. At a press briefing on Friday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of new cases is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far in the pandemic.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | India's vaccinations fall from peak as infections hit record
India's daily COVID-19 vaccinations have slowed from their record high early this month while new infections have set a record in eight of the past nine days, government data show, underscoring a lack of doses in the country.After giving and selling tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses abroad, India has suddenly found itself short of shots. It has abruptly changed rules to allow it to fast-track vaccine imports, having earlier rebuffed foreign drugmakers like Pfizer.
Vaccinations peaked at 4.5 million doses on April 5 but have averaged about 3 million a day since then, according to the government's Co-Win portal to coordinate immunizations. Read more here...
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Five poll contestants test positive for COVID-19 in Bengal
At least five candidates of different parties contesting the ongoing assembly election in West Bengal have tested positive for COVID-19, a healthdepartment official said on Friday.department official said on Friday. Out of the five candidates who tested positive, threeare from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and one each from theare from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and one each from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the Bharatiya JanataParty (BJP), he said.Party (BJP), he said.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Weekend curfew imposed in Chandigarh
Weekend curfew will be imposed in Chandigarh from Friday 10 pm to Monday 5 am. During this period, only essential services will be allowed. The order will come into effect from tonight. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting of Chandigarh Administration. (ANI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | UK finds 77 cases of COVID-19 variant first found in India
UK health authorities have identified 77 cases of the highly infectious B.1.617 variant of coronavirus which causes COVID-19, first found in India, and has designated it a Variant Under Investigation (VUI). London, Apr 16 (PTI) UK health authorities have identified 77 cases of the highly infectious B.1.617 variant of coronavirus which causes COVID-19, first found in India, and has designated it a Variant Under Investigation (VUI).
Public Health England (PHE), which releases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of Variants of Concern (VOC) and VUI in the UK, reported on Thursday that the variant first detected in India includes a number of mutations. "A new variant has been designated a Variant Under Investigation (VUI) by PHE. The variant, first detected in India, includes a number of mutations including E484Q, L452R, and P681R, the PHE weekly report said.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
EXPLAINED | What is the exact mechanism for foreign vaccines to get approval in India?Earlier this week, the Centre announced it would fast-track emergency approvals for foreign-produced Covid-19 vaccines that have already been granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) in other countries.
This allowed all vaccines currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and Britain’sMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to be potentially sold in India soon. Read more here...
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Gujarat: 15-day-old infant dies of COVID-19 at Surat hospital
A 15-day-old baby girl, who was born to a COVID-19 patient, succumbed to coronavirus at a hospital in Gujarat's Surat city, an official said on Friday. The infant was born with the infection on April 1, as her mother had also contracted the disease, a statement issued by Diamond Hospital said. While the child's mother was shifted to another hospital, the newborn was under intensive treatment and was also administered remdesivir injection when her condition started deteriorating, it was stated.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | COVID-19: Lockdown in all UP districts on Sunday
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a lockdown across the state on Sunday. To enforce wearing of masks, the state government has doubled the fine to Rs 1000 for those caught without masks for the first time and 10 times the fine amount for those caught again.
"There will be a weekly closure in all rural and urban areas of the state on Sunday.Only sanitation, sanitisation and emergency services will operate during this period. Necessary awareness works should also be done in this regard," an official statement said here quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath . "A fine of Rs 1000 will be imposed if someone is caught without mask for the first time. If caught for the second time, a penalty of ten times the fine amount should be imposed," he said. "A fine of Rs 1000 will be imposed if someone is caught without mask for the first time. If caught for the second time, a penalty of ten times the fine amount should be imposed," he said.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Deputy CM Manish Sisodia appointed nodal officer for COVID-19 management in Delhi
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was on Friday appointed the nodal officer for COVID-19 management in the national capital, according to an official order.Sisodia will be responsible for inter-ministerial coordination till further orders, it said.As the number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate continue to rise in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a curfew this weekend and the closure of malls, gymnasiums and auditoriums till April 30 as part of sweeping restrictions to break the chain of the infection. Read more here...
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | UP CM orders setting up of 1,000-bed makeshift COVID hospital in Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday ordered the establishment of a 1,000-bed makeshift COVID hospital here to tackle the rising number of coronavirus cases. The state had on Thursday reported 104 deaths and 22,439 fresh cases, pushing the fatality count to 9,480 and the total infection number to 7,66,360. The state had on Thursday reported 104 deaths and 22,439 fresh cases, pushing the fatality count to 9,480 and the total infection number to 7,66,360.
The Chief Minister made the direction for setting up the hospital during a review meeting with divisional commissioners, district magistrates, chief medical officers and his Team-11 (a core team of 11 officers).
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa admitted to Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bengaluru as he had a fever for the last 2 days. He had tested negative for COVID-19 two days back. He will be tested again. (ANI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Uttar Pradesh announces Sunday lockdown in all districts in Urban and Rural areas, only emergency services will be allowed. The state has also imposed a Rs 1,000 fine for violation of COVID-19 protocol, 10,000 fine will be charged to those found without a mask.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Thailand uses hotels beds for COVID-19 patients after surge in cases
Thailand reported on Friday its fifth record daily tally of coronavirus cases this week, as authorities set up thousands of field hospitals to cope with an influx of patients and lined up hotels to provide extra beds for those without symptoms.All positive cases have to be admitted into care under Thai rules and with 10,461 patients currently being treated, the medical sector could be put under additional strain.
The government has set up over 20,000 beds at field hospitals across the country at community centres and gyms. Hotels and hospitals are also partnering up to set up "hospitels" to treat asymptomatic patients, the health ministry said. (Reuters)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Mizoram logs 25 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 4,447
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 4,447 as 25 more people, including a 91-year-old woman, tested 4,447 as 25 more people, including a 91-year-old woman, testedpositive for the virus, an official said on Friday. Of the 25 fresh cases, 19 were reported from Aizawl Of the 25 fresh cases, 19 were reported from Aizawldistrict, 3 cases each from Kolasib and Serchhip districts, he said.
Eleven patients have travel history, the official said.Mizoram now has 258 active COVID-19 cases, while 4,477patients have recovered from the virus.patients have recovered from the virus. (PTI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan:
Companies manufacturing COVID19 drug Remdesivir have been asked to ramp up production. I assure you that strict action will be taken against those who are involved in black marketing of the drug and other malpractices.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Dedicate hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, Health Ministry directs Central ministries, PSUs
In order to augment the the hospital infrastructure as many State and Union Territories (UTs) report report a surge in the cases and deaths caused by COVID-19, the Union Health Ministry on Friday directed the Ministries to and their PSUs to dedicate their hospital beds for COVID-19 management in States/UTs.
"Union Health Ministry has advised all central Ministries to issue instructions to the hospitals under their control or their PSUs to set-up exclusive dedicated hospital wards or separate blocks within the hospitals for COVID Care, as was done last year," Health Ministry said in a statement. As per the statement, the hospitals and blocks should have separate entry and exit points for the management of COVID-19 cases to provide treatment services including specialised care for the confirmed COVID-19 cases. Continue reading here...
