Covid-19: Mumbai reports 739 new cases, 46% jump since yesterday
Mumbai on Wednesday reported 739 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, a jump of 46 per cent since Tuesday when the city saw 506 infections. The positivity rate stood at 8.4 per cent. The Maharashtra capital, however, registered zero death.
The sharp rise comes even as Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope admitted on Wednesday that Covid-19 cases have been increasing in Mumbai, Pune and Thane. Addressing a press conference, he said, "There are 3,475 cases (in Mumbai, Pune and Thane) of which 2,500 cases are from Mumbai alone."
Tope said people need to take precautions and avoid leaving homes unless necessary. "Use of masks will be made mandatory," the minister said during the press conference.
On Tuesday, Mumbai saw a 200 per cent increase in Covid cases in May compared to cases in April.
The city also saw a 133 per cent increase in the first half of May compared to the second half.
On Wednesday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal instructed civic officials to ramp up testing for Covid on a war footing and keep the staff of jumbo field hospitals on alert in wake of a tremendous rise in new cases over the past few weeks.
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Gurugram club manager, bouncers arrested after late night brawl
The manager of Club Casa Danza in Udyog Vihar was arrested by Gurugram police after a late-night brawl that took place on the intervening night of August 7-8 between the bouncers and a group of friends who had visited the club. Bouncers Sonu, Mandeep, Sumit, Nitin, Ram Singh & Rakesh -- also accused of snatching cash -- were arrested, as reported by news agency ANI.
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Further delay in blast may cause collapse of Noida towers: Agency
Over 3,500kg of explosives will be filled within 9,400 holes drilled in the columns and shears of the nearly 100m-tall twin towers. Holes have been drilled in nearly every column of the tower on every floor, adding upto a total of over 15km in length, the status report by Edifice Engineering said.
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Capital hot and humid again; Met predicts light rain, mercury drop
RK Jenamani, scientist at IMD, said the monsoon trough was in central India and fairly south of Delhi at present; however, two active weather systems – one on the Gujarat coast and the other over central MP--were leading to a low-pressure area and the movement of easterly winds towards Delhi.
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Aug 15 ahead, Tihar convicts roped in to stitch national flags
Jail officials also said that this Independence Day, at least 21 prisoners are set to be released under a “special remission scheme” announced by the ministry of home affairs on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Previously, convicts were only granted remission (reduction in sentence or jail term days counted as added to a prisoner’s record) on Independence Day.
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35 teams to enforce week-long ban on meat in Gurugram
Vijaypal Yadav, joint commissioner of MCG, said that the 35 teams, comprising four members each, will be deployed across as many municipal wards in the city, adding that anyone found violating the order will have to pay a penalty of ₹5,000.
