Coronavirus News Live Updates: Today is the 364th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. India recorded 40,715 coronavirus cases in a day, taking the nationwide infection tally to 1,16,86,796, while the active caseload at 3,45,377 registered an increase for the 13th day in a row, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. The active caseload now comprises 2.96 percent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 95.67 percent, the ministry data updated at 8 am stated. The COVID-19 death toll of the country increased to 1,60,166, with 199 daily new fatalities, it said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,11,81,253, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.37 percent, the data stated. Globally, more than 12.17 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 26.89 lakh have died so far. India has begun the second phase of the vaccination drive in which everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. India's regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for two vaccines -- Covishield and Covaxin. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India has crossed 3.71 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry.
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Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates | Over 23k people vaccinated in Delhi
Over 23,000 beneficiaries received shots of COVID-19 vaccine in the national capital by 6 pm. The number of beneficiaries was less as compared to previous days as dispensary-based session sites are not functional on Wednesday and Friday, an official said.
In the age bracket 45-59 years, 2,454 beneficiaries received the shots, while 10,481 senior citizens also got their first jabs by 6 pm, an official said. The second dose of vaccine was given to 6,852 people, he said, adding, 1,835 frontline workers and 1,645 healthcare workers got their first shots.
A total of 23,267 people were vaccinated across the city and one case of minor AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) was recorded by 6 pm, officials said. Vaccination centres in the city have been operating from 9 am to 9 pm since Monday.
Last week, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said the number of vaccination centres will be doubled to 1,000 from about 500 at present, spanning both government and private facilities. He had announced that the number of daily inoculations in Delhi will be augmented from 30,000-40,000 to 1.25 lakh.
Delhi reported 1,254 coronavirus cases, the highest in over three months, while six more people succumbed to the pathogen. This is the highest number of cases since December 18 when 1,418 people tested positive for the virus, according to official data.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates | COVID-19 cases surge in Uttarakhand; 200 new infections detected
Uttarakhand reported 200 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a chunk of them from Haridwar, which is in the final stages of preparations to host the Kumbh Mela from April 1. While no fatality due to the disease was reported in a day, the state is witnessing a surge in infections.
Haridwar reported the highest number of 71 new cases, followed by Dehradun with 63, Nainital 22, Udham Singh Nagar 14, eight each in Pauri, Rudraprayag and Tehri, five in Pithoragarh and one in Almora, a COVID-19 control room bulletin said. However, no fresh cases were detected in Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat and Uttarkashi districts.
It has been made mandatory for devotees gathering in Haridwar for Kumbh to furnish a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours. Chief Secretary Om Prakash said the Uttarakhand High Court has issued clear directives in this regard.
The high court has mandated a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours or a vaccination report for attending the Kumbh. Soon after taking over as chief minister, TirathSingh Rawat had said it was not compulsory to bring a negative RT-PCR test report to attend Kumbh. It is a religious event that comes once in 12 years and devotees can attend it freely, he had said.
However, Rawat later ordered strict compliance with the guidelines issued by the Centre in view of COVID-19.
Coronavirus in Goa LIVE Updates | Goa records 140 new COVID-19 cases; 73 recoveries
With the addition of 140 fresh cases of COVID-19, the caseload in Goa rose to 56,981, an official from the health department said. While no casualties were reported during the day, 73patients were discharged from various treatment facilities, the official said. This has taken the count of recoveries to 55,004.The coastal state is now left with 1,156 active cases,he said As many as 1,773 samples were tested during the day, taking the total number of tests conducted in the state to5,30,780, he added. Goa's COVID-19 figures are as follows:Positive cases 56,981, new cases 140, death toll 821, discharged 55,004,active cases 1156, samples tested till date 5,30,780. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh LIVE Updates | Himachal Pradesh reports 266 new COVID19 cases and 65 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases 61,301
Total recoveries 58,615
Death toll 1014
Active cases 1654
Coronavirus in Punjab LIVE Updates | Punjab reports 2634 new COVID19 cases, 1455 recoveries and 39 deaths
Total cases 2,20,276
Total recoveries 1,93,280
Death toll 6474
Active cases 20,522
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Delhi reports 1254 new COVID19 cases, 769 recoveries and 6 deaths
Total cases 6,51,227
Total recoveries 6,35,364
Death toll 10,973
Active cases 4890
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 31,855 new COVID19 cases, 15098 discharges and 95 deaths
Total cases 25,64,881
Total recoveries 22,62,593
Death toll 53,684
Active cases 2,47,299
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Mumbai reports 5185 new COVID19 cases, 2088 recoveries and 6 deaths
Total cases 3,74,611
Total recoveries 3,31,322
Death toll 11,606
Active cases 30,760
Coronavirus in Gujarat LIVE Updates |
Gujarat reports 1790 new COVID-19cases, 1277 recoveries and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases: 2,92,169, Total recoveries: 2,78,880, Death toll: 4,466, Active cases: 8,823.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates |Kerala reports 2,456 new COVID-19cases, 2060 recoveries and 10 deaths today. Total recoveries: 10,80,803, Death toll: 4527, Active cases 24,268.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates
|Uttarakhandreports 200 new COVID-19cases and 49 recoveries today, no deaths reported. Total cases: 98,880, Total recoveries: 94,634, Death toll: 1706, Active cases: 1115.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates |
Karnataka reports 2298 new COVID-19cases, 995 discharges and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases: 9,75,955, Total recoveries: 9,46,589, Death toll: 12,461, Active cases: 16,886.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Chandigarh Administration:
All Anganwadi centers in Chandigarh shall remain closed with immediate effect till 31st March in view of surge in COVID-19cases. All Anganwadi workers and helpers shall attend the centres to carry out the field activities as usual till further orders.
Coronavirus LIVE Update | Om Prakash, Uttarakhand Chief Secy on Kumbh Mela:
The High Court has directed to follow both Centre and State SOP (for RT-PCR negative test report not older than 72 hours). I'll be staying in Haridwar for 3 days to review the situation. No lockdown situation for now.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates |
Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat and four members of his family test positive for COVID-19.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Belgium tightens restrictions to beat third virus wave
Belgium announced a renewed partial lockdown on Wednesday of four weeks, with schools closed and non-essential stores open to customers by appointment only.The decision came as a potential third wave of the coronavirus was gaining momentum in the small EU country of 11.5 million, with hospitalisations on the rise.The pandemic "is a big lesson in humility for politicians, for everyone," said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in announcing the measures.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Pakistan orders doses of Chinese-made vaccines
Pakistan's top health official said Wednesday his country will purchase 1 million doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine and 60,000 doses of the vaccine made by Chinese company CanSino Biologics.Faisal Sultan, a special assistant to the prime minister, said on Twitter that an order has been placed for the purchase of Chinese-made vaccines which will be delivered to Pakistan within days.The purchases will be in addition to 1.5 million doses of vaccine which China is donating to Pakistan in phases.Without giving more details, Sultan said Pakistan will also receive several million doses of vaccines in April.Pakistan is currently facing a third wave of coronavirus infections.Also Wednesday, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said the government is ordering the closure of schools in the capital, Islamabad and in several high-risk cities until April 11.Pakistan has reported 637,042 virus cases and 13,965 deaths from coronavirus since last year.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Brazil: 3,251 dead in a day:Brazil's daily death toll crossed the 3,000 barrier for the first time, with hospitals at breaking point and nearly 300,000 lives already lost to the virus.
Germans rebel:The leaders of the country's 16 states backtrack on plans for a strict Easter lockdown after a backlash against the order to stay at home over the holiday.
Berlusconi ill again:Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who got the virus in September, is hospitalised again during the latest court hearing over his "bunga-bunga" parties.The 84-year-old is alleged to have paid seven million euros ($5.9 million) to an underage prostitute dubbed "Ruby the heart-stealer".
French ministers in hospital:France's Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot is admitted to hospital with the virus two days after her cabinet colleague Employment Minister Elisabeth Borne.Borne said on Twitter that she was released Wednesday, thanking hospital staff for their help "during these difficult days."
Poland's never been worse:Poland reports nearly 30,000 new infections in a single day, the worst since the start of the pandemic as the government vows to toughen its partial lockdown.
Markets get worried:Asian markets drop with investors worried that new spikes in infections and lockdowns will knock the economic recovery off course.
Vaccinated get discounts:Residents of a Beijing suburb who have got a jab are offered discounts in supermarkets as the authorities try to boost the uptake of vaccines.
HK clinic punished:Hong Kong authorities kick a clinic out of its vaccination programme for reportedly recommending the German-made Pfizer/BioNTech shot to patients over the one from China's Sinovac.
2.7 million dead:At least 2,735,411 people have died of coronavirus around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally from official sources. The US is the worst-affected country with 543,849 deaths, followed by Brazil with 298,676, Mexico with 199,048, India with 160,441 and Britain with 126,284.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Haryana govt bans public celebrations of Holiin wake of rise in coronavirus cases
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Health Ministry:
Telangana, Chandigarh, Nagaland and Punjab have low COVID-19 vaccination coverage of healthcare workers.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Health Ministry:
Of total vaccine doses administered, 2,64,52,366 given to those aged above 60 and those aged 45-60 years with comorbidities.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Health Ministry:
5,08,41,286 coronavirus vaccine doses administered in India till 10 am Wednesday.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog:
We have adequate supplies of vaccine for the COVID19 vaccination program that has been brought forth. There is no inadequacy of vaccine supply.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Health Ministry:
Enough supplies of COVID-19 vaccines for inoculation of those aged 45 years and above from April 1.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director Dr SK Singh:
771 cases of Coronavirus variants detected across 18 states - 736 of UK variant, 34 of South African variant and 1 of Brazilian variant.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dr. VK Paul, Memeber-Health, Niti Aayog:
We have adequate supplies of vaccine for the COVID19 vaccination program that has been brought forth. There is no inadequacy of vaccine supply.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Health Ministry:
About 88 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in India in age group of 45 years and above.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan:
Besides them, Gujarat & MP are of concern too. Gujarat reporting around 1700 cases daily & MP around 1500 cases. Most cases in Gujarat concentrated in Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot & Bhavnagar. In MP, it's concentrated in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain & Betul.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan:
Two states are of grave concern, that have shown a recent surge in cases - Maharashtra, that reported more than 28,000 cases in the last 24 hours and Punjab, that is reporting huge number of cases in proportion to its population.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Centre urged states to consider restrictions during Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Bihu, Easter and Eid
As India's active caseload registered an increase for the 14th day in a row, the Union Health Ministry has asked state governments to consider imposing local restrictions to prohibit gatheringon festival days like Holi, Shab-e-Barat, and Eid-ul-Fitr."In the view of upcoming festivals such asHoli, Shab-e-Barat, Bihu, Easter, and Eid-ul-Fitr, etc., it is strongly advised that states may consider imposing local restrictionsin public observation of these festivals and limit/do away with mass gatherings."
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Protests, public gatherings prohibited in Delhi due to surge in COVID-19 cases, AAP govt tells Delhi HC
The AAP government told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) has prohibited public gatherings, including for festival celebrations and protests, in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.The submission was made before Justice Prathiba M Singh during the hearing of the pleas by AAP MLAs Raghav Chadha and Atishi Marlena seeking permission to protest outside the residences of Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt Governor Anil Baijal.Delhi government additional standing counsel Gautam Narayan told the court that the Delhi DMA or DDMA has issued an order on March 23 prohibiting all public gatherings in the national capital in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.Delhi reported 1,101 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest in over three months, while four people succumbed to the disease.During the brief hearing on Wednesday, the court asked the lawyers for the two MLAs whether they were still pressing their pleas challenging the denial of permission to protest as ''circumstances have changed".
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Poland hits daily coronavirus case record
Poland on Wednesday reported 29,978 coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours -- a record since the start of the pandemic -- as the government promised to toughen the current partial lockdown.There were also 575Covid-relateddeaths, the health ministry said.The previous daily infection record was 27,875 on November 7 last year.The actual number of infections, including those that were not officially recorded, is believed to have been higher earlier in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. (AFP)
Coronavirus Live Updates | A year of online classes, exams: COVID-19 prompts shift to 'new normal' in teaching & learning
A year of learning in ''smartphone class rooms'' and appearing for ''WhatsApp exams'', virtual campus tours to Zoom placement drives and ultimately massive increase in ''screen time'', the last academic session will go down in history as beginning of the "new normal" prompted by coronavirus-induced lockdown. No packing up of bags for first day at school, cancelled sports day or farewells, no shared lunches and massively increased screen time, marked the 2020-21 academic session, which was about to begin just a week after the COVID-19 lockdown was announced last year.
Smartphones and laptops, which were not allowed in classes and meant for restricted usage at home as well, became the backbone of education throughout the year as COVID-19 pandemic prompted a 360 degree shift from classroom teaching to the online space, including YouTube lectures, Zoom classes, WhatsApp exams and online quizzes. While students miss going to schools or colleges, experts say the "new normal" has opened doors for blended learning which is going to stay in the future and is not just a "stop gap arrangement". The new normal also exposed the digital divide in the country where students, parents and teachers scrambled to find ways for those who did not have access to internet or digital devices.
Coronavirus Live Updates | One year since COVID-19 lockdown: India still recovering from unemployment blow
India is still not out of the woods as far as unemployment is concerned after a year when the lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of deadly COVID-19 on March 25 last year as pandemic-induced job loss has not tapered off consistently. The government had imposed a lockdown to curb the spread of the pandemic but this impacted economic and commercial activities and resulted in job loss and later on the exodus of migrant workers which rocked the entire nation.
According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data, the unemployment rate was recorded at 6.9 percent in February 2021 which is slightly better than 7.8 percent in the same month last year and 8.8 percent in March 2020, during which lockdown was imposed. The data showed that the unemployment rate had peaked to 23.5 percent in April and remained at 21.7 percent in May. It started tapering off from June onward when it was recorded at 10.2 percent in the month and further improved to 7.4 percent in July.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Brazil's 24-hour COVID deaths surpass 3,000 for first time
Brazil's daily COVID-19 death toll soared past 3,000 for the first time Tuesday as the hard-hit country struggled to contain a surge of cases that has pushed many hospitals to breaking point. The health ministry registered a record 3,251 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing Brazil's overall death toll to nearly 299,000 -- second only to the United States.
The latest bleak milestone came on the same day President Jair Bolsonaro installed his fourth health minister of the pandemic, facing pressure to change tack after downplaying the virus and flouting expert advice on containing it. Cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga, 55, took over the post from Eduardo Pazuello, an army general with no medical experience whose handling of COVID-19 was widely criticized.
Pazuello is notably facing investigation for failing to ensure oxygen supplies to the northern city of Manaus, where there were horrific scenes in January of COVID-19 patients suffocating to death when hospitals ran out. Bolsonaro's first two health ministers, doctors Luiz Henrique Mandetta and Nelson Teich, both fell out with the president over his defiance of expert advice on containing the virus.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Impose local curbs during upcoming festivals amid COVID surge, says Centre tells states
As Covid-19 cases in the country surge to record over 40,000 new infections on Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry has asked states to consider imposing local restrictions in wake of upcoming festivals and possible social gatherings to curb the spread of virus. In a letter, Union Health Additional Secretary wrote to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of states and UTs saying," may consider imposing local restrictions in public observations of Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Bihu, Easter and Eid-ul-Fitr and limit mass gatherings".
"Any laxity at this point in ensuring strict adherence to various SoPs issued by MoHFW to contain the spread of CoVID-19, may result in losing the impetus and benefits that our country has gained so far in managing the virus. Strict adherence to CoVID appropriate behaviour in public places and gatherings is the key to break the chain of transmission and reduce the incidence of cases in the country," the statement further read.
Meanwhile, India has detected a new "double mutant variant" of the novel coronavirus, the health ministry said on Wednesday, adding to concern as the government struggles with the highest single-day tally of new infections and deaths this year. Genome sequencing and analysis of samples from Maharashtra state found mutations in the virus that do not match previously catalogued "variants of concern" (VOC), the ministry said in a statement.
Maharashtra is one of India's worst-affected states but the ministry said it was not clear if the new variant was causing an upsurge there or in other states. "Though VOCs and a new double mutant variant have been found in India, these have not been detected in numbers sufficient to either establish a direct relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some states," the ministry said in a statement.
Coronavirus Live Updates | New COVID-19 variant 'of concern' found in 18 states, says health ministry
Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) has detected 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) from a total of 10,787 COVID-19 positive samples shared by states and union territories (UTs). Among these VOCs are 736 samples positive for the UK variant of the novel coronavirus lineage; 34 samples positive for the South African (B.1.351) virus lineage; and one sample positive for the Brazilian (P.1) virus lineage. The cases are spread across 18 Indian states, as per a statement from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
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Coronavirus Live Updates | Negative COVID-19 report must for travelling to Gujarat from Maharashtra
The Gujarat government has made it mandatory to people coming from neighboring Maharashtra to carry a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours. This decision has been taken in view of a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, it said. In an order issued on Tuesday, the state health department observed that contact tracing of COVID-19 cases found in Gujarat over the last one week revealed that a large number of the infected people had returned from Maharashtra.
People entering Gujarat from Maharashtra will also have to undergo a mandatory screening, it said. "Only those will be eligible to enter Gujarat from Maharashtra who have got their RT-PCR test done within 72 hours of their visit and their test result is negative," said the order issued by Deputy Secretary, Health department, Vanrajsinh Padhiyar.
As per Maharashtra health department, the cumulative caseload in the state stood at 25,33,026 on March 23 when the state added 28,699 new infections in a day."Contact tracing of coronavirus positive cases found in Gujarat over the last one week revealed that a large number of cases are of the people who have returned from Maharashtra and those who got in contact with such people," the health department said.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Producer Ramesh Taurani tests positive for COVID-19
Producer Ramesh Taurani on Wednesday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently under medication for recovery.
In an Instagram post, Taurani, who heads the production house Tips, shared that he had received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine and hoped to be better "soon". The producer, best known for backing the "Race" film franchise, also wrote he has alerted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) about him contracting the virus and asked those who came in contact to get tested.
"I have tested positive for COVID and have informed @my_bmc been following all the precautions and taking medications to get better. If you have interacted with me in the past two weeks please do get tested. I have taken my 1st vaccine dose and hope to recover from this soon," Taurani wrote. On Wednesday, superstar Aamir Khan''s spokesperson also confirmed that the actor had tested positive for COVID-19. Khan, 56, is under home quarantine. Several other Bollywood celebrities, including Kartik Aaryan, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranbir Kapoor and Satish Kaushik have tested positive for coronavirus. On Tuesday, Mumbai recorded 3,512 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 3,69,426.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Beijing district encourages residents to get COVID-19 shots with shopping coupons
Shoppers in a district of Beijing are getting discount coupons if they have received COVID-19 vaccinations, as China tries to accelerate its COVID-19 vaccination rate. Daxing district, with a population of about 1.8 million, started handing out the coupons on Wednesday to people who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The coupons range in value from 8 yuan ($1.23) to 30 yuan each depending on various conditions, and can be used at supermarkets in Daxing, the district said on social media.
More than 200 million yuan ($30.7 million) worth of discounts will be distributed through the coupons, Beijing Daily, the official newspaper of communist party authorities in the city, said. Some people expressed concern about the coupons on social media. "Inducing people into vaccination in this way will reduce people's trust in vaccines," one person wrote on Weibo. More than 73% of people in Daxing aged 18 and above have had at least one shot, Beijing Daily said. China's daily output of COVID-19 vaccines has reached about 5 million doses, more than tripling the 1.5 million-dose daily production rate on Feb. 1, official media said on Wednesday.
Coronavirus Live Updates | India detects new variant of CIVID-19 in 18 states, says Health Ministry
A new "double mutant variant" of the coronavirus has been detected in 18 states in the country in addition to many other strains or variants of concern (VOCs) which have also found abroad, the Health Ministry said today.n "Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10787 positive samples shared by States/UTs. These include 736 samples positive for viruses of the UK (B.1.1.7) lineage. 34 samples were found positive for viruses of the South African (B.1.351) lineage. 1 sample was found positive for viruses of the Brazilian (P.1) lineage. The samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 States of the country." Union Health Ministry said.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) is a grouping of 10 National Laboratories that was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 25 December 2020. INSACOG is since then carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating Covid-19 viruses, and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants. Genomic variants of various viruses are a natural phenomenon and are found in almost all countries.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Maharashtra district imposes lockdown as COVID-19 cases surge
In view of rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases across the state, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced a lockdown in the Beed district from 26 March till 4 April. The order to impose a lockdown was issued by the Beed District Collector to prevent further spread of the killer virus, as per reports. During the lockdown, all marriage halls, hotels and restaurants will remain shut in the Maharashtra district.
All schools and colleges in the Beed district will also remain shut during the lockdown period. All private offices will also remain closed during this period and their employees have been encouraged to work from home. This comes as Maharashtra is witnessing a huge spike in daily Covid-19 cases. The state has reported 28,699 new infections, 13,165 recoveries, and 132 deaths in a span of 24 hours. According to the state health department, the total count of cases has gone up to 25,33,026 including 2,30,641 active cases and 22,47,495 recoveries.
Coronavirus Live Updates | India seek to play fearless football against Oman in first international after COVID-19 lockdown
Talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri will not be there to inspire but a young Indian team will seek to play fearless football against a more fancied Oman in its first international match in more than a year here on Thursday. Chhetri is not with the team for the two international friendlies here -- the second one against the UAE on Saturday -- as he is recovering from COVID-19. But the side with an average age of just over 24 is raring to go in its first international match after November 2019 and many of them have done well in the recent Indian Super League for their respective franchises.
Head coach Igor Stimac has said that the youngsters will be given ample chances to prove themselves and they should play free and fearless football. "We need to come to the pitch without any fear, we need to try to make our transitions properly, and we need to try and enjoy the possession that we have. That''s what I want to ask of my players," Stimac had said ahead of the camp here. The absence of Chhetri, the second highest international goal-getter among active players, will be felt greatly but India did pull off a goal-less draw against Asian champions Qatar in Doha without the star striker in a 2022 World Cup qualifying round match in 2019.
"It''s a big miss, not having Chhetri bhai in the squad. But I''m sure the boys will take this as an opportunity and we have to play together as a team," said number one goalkeeper and senior player Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who has led the side on many occasions. Fortunately for Stimac, the 27-member squad is a mixture of players who have been with the team earlier and new faces like Akash Mishra, Liston Colaco, Ishan Pandita, Bipin Singh and Lalengmawia. The rookies would be especially eager to showcase their talent after making an impact in the ISL.
Coronavirus Live Updates | India detects novel coronavirus variant
India's health ministry said on Wednesday that a novel variant of the coronavirus had been detected in the country in addition to many other variants of concern (VOCs) also found abroad. "Though VOCs and a new double mutant variant have been found in India, these have not been detected in numbers sufficient to either establish a direct relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some States," the health ministry said in a statement.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Lockdown to be imposed in Beed district of Maharashtra from March 26 to April 4.
Coronavirus Live Updates | SKF India to cover vaccination cost of all employees, immediate family members
Auto and industrial components maker SKF India on Wednesday said it will cover the vaccination cost of all its employees and their immediate family members.SKF India, which is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Swedish bearings maker SKF, has about 4,000 employees working across different locations in the country, as per a company statement.
“In its commitment to ensure employee health and well-being, SKF India will cover COVID-19 vaccination cost for all employees and their immediate family members as per the central government guidelines,” it said. Through this drive SKF intends to extend support for employees and their families in obtaining vaccines through a seamless process, it stated.
Coronavirus Live Updates | No fresh COVID-19 case in Andamans
Andaman and Nicobar Islands did not report any new COVID-19 case on Wednesday, a health official said. Three more people have been cured of the disease, he said. The Union territory's caseload stands at 5,039, of which five are active cases, while 4,972 people have recovered from the infection and 62 patients have succumbed to the disease so far, the official said.
The administration has tested over 3.07 lakh samples for COVID-19 to date, he said. A total of 12,448 health workers and frontline personnel have been vaccinated thus far, of whom 5,431 have received the second dose. Also, 3,495 people above 45 years of age have been vaccinated, he added.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Telangana sees 431 COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths
Fresh COVID-19 infections crossed the 400 mark in Telangana for second day in a row, taking the total figure to 3.04 lakh, a state government bulletin said on Wednesday. A total of 431 people tested positive for the deadly virus. Two more succumbed to the illness raising the toll to 1,676. As many as 3,352 patients were undergoing treatment, it said, providing data as of 8 PM on March 23. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporationcontinued to report the highest number of cases with 111 followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (37) and Ranga Reddy districts (31).
In the wake of a spurt in cases in recent days, including from some schoolsin Telangana, the state government announced temporary closure ofall educational institutions, barring medical colleges,from Wednesday to prevent the spread of coronavirus. A total of 70,280 samples were tested on March 23. Cumulatively, the number of samples tested was 97.89 lakh. The bulletin said 228 people had recovered on Tuesday taking the total number of recoveries to 2,99,270. The recovery rate and case fatality rate in the state was 98.34 per cent and 0.55 per cent, compared to the national average of 95.5 per cent and 1.4 per cent, the bulletin said. Meanwhile, an official release said the vaccine wastage in the state stood at 0.79 per cent.
Coronavirus Live Updates | Actor Aamir Khan tests postive for COVID-19
Superstar Aamir Khan has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently under home quarantine, the actor's spokesperson said on Wednesday. The 56-year-old actor is doing "fine" and has asked those who came in contact with him to also get tested. "Mr Aamir Khan has tested positive for COVID-19. He is at home in self-quarantine, following all the protocols and he's doing fine.
"All those who came in contact with him in the recent past should get themselves tested as a precautionary measure. Thank you for all your wishes and concern," the statement from the spokesperson read. Khan will be next seen on-screen in his upcoming "Laal Singh Chaddha", scheduled to release in December this year. On Tuesday, Mumbai recorded 3,512 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 3,69,426.
