Covid-19 LIVE updates: Punjab reports 6,798 new cases, 157 deaths in last 24 hrs

On Monday, the country recorded as many as 368,147 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, pushing the total coronavirus infection tally close to the 20-million mark. Although grim, today's daily spike indicates a sharp decline from the nearly four lakh new cases recorded a day ago.

A patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) receives treatment inside a casualty ward at a hospital in New Delhi. (Danish Siddiqui / REUTERS)

As India battles the deadlier, more infectious second wave of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the rate of new infections continues hovering at alarming levels. On Monday, the country recorded as many as 368,147 new cases in 24 hours, pushing the total infection tally close to the 20-million mark, according to the Union ministry of health and family welfare. Although grim, Monday's daily spike indicates a sharp decline from the nearly four lakh new cases recorded a day ago. Daily deaths, too, came down to 3,417 from the record 3,689 new fatalities recorded on Sunday. With this, the nationwide death toll has now reached 218,959....Read More

Follow all the updates here:

• 3 May 2021, 11:22:29 PM IST

  Assam reports 4,489 new Covid-19 cases, 29 deaths

  Assam reported 4,489 new Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths (death toll reached 1,347). Active caseload reached 26,477, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 11:04:43 PM IST

  BMC releases list of Covid-19 vaccination centres for second dose

  The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released list of Covid-19 vaccination centres administering second doses for people over 45 years of age, healthcare and frontline workers.

• 3 May 2021, 10:54:41 PM IST

  Chhattisgarh reports 15,274 new Covid-19 cases, 266 deaths in last 24 hours

  With 15,274 new Covid-19 cases and 266 deaths, Chhattisgarh's death toll reached 9,275, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 09:39:45 PM IST

  J&K reports over 3,700 new Covid-19 cases, 51 deaths

  Jammu and Kashmir reported 3,733 new Covid-19 cases and 51 deaths, reports PTI citing officials.

• 3 May 2021, 09:31:48 PM IST

  Madhya Pradesh reports 12,062 cases, 93 deaths; active caseload reaches 85,750

  Madhya Pradesh reported 12,062 new Covid-19 cases and 93 deaths taking the cases tally to 600,430 and death toll to 5,905, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 09:29:31 PM IST

  Punjab logs 6,798 new Covid-19 cases, 157 deaths in last 24 hours

  Punjab reported 6,798 new Covid-19 cases and 157 deaths in last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stands at 60,709, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 09:09:18 PM IST

  Himachal Pradesh reports 2,630 new Covid-19 cases, 43 deaths in last 24 hours

  Himachal Pradesh reported 2,630 new Covid-19 cases and 43 deaths in the last 24 hours. Also, 1,526 people recovered from the disease in the time period, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 08:31:33 PM IST

  More cases of Covid-19 reported globally in past 2 weeks than in first 6 months of pandemic, says WHO chief

  Director-General of the world health organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that more cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the world in the past two weeks than in the first six months of the pandemic.

• 3 May 2021, 08:12:21 PM IST

  TN reports over 20,000 new Covid-19 cases, 122 deaths in last 24 hours

  Tamil Nadu reported 20,952 new Covid-19 cases and 122 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the state's tally to 1,228,064 cases and death toll tol 14,468, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 08:09:53 PM IST

  Manipur reports 362 new Covid-19 cases, 7 deaths in last 24 hours

  With 362 new Covid-19 cases and seven deaths in the last 24 hours, Manipur's tally reached 32,523, reports ANI. The state currently has 2,071 active cases.

• 3 May 2021, 07:52:13 PM IST

  Maharashtra logs 48,621 new cases; 2,624 cases reported in Mumbai

  With 48,621 new Covid-19 cases and 567 deaths, Maharashtra's tally reached 4,771,022 cases and death toll climbed to 70,851.

  Mumbai saw 2,624 new cases of the disease and 78 fatalities which took the city's tally to 658,621 cases and death toll to 13,372.

• 3 May 2021, 07:46:30 PM IST

  Karnataka logs 44,438 new Covid-19 cases, 239 deaths

  Karnataka recorded 44,438 new Covid-19 cases and 239 deaths as the state's tally reached 1,646,303 cases and the death toll climbed to 16,250, a bulletin from the state health department showed.

• 3 May 2021, 07:29:00 PM IST

  Andhra Pradesh reports 18,792 new Covid-19 cases, 71 deaths in last 24 hours

  With 18,792 new Covid-19 cases and 71 deaths in the last 24 hours, Andhra Pradesh's tally reached 1,163,994 and death toll climbed to 8,207, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 06:56:13 PM IST

  Rajasthan reports over 17,000 new cases, 154 deaths in last 24 hours

  Rajasthan's Covid-19 tally reached 651,247 cases and death toll climbed to 4,712 after the state reported 17,296 new cases and 154 deaths in the last 24 hours, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 06:52:41 PM IST

  Chandigarh's Covid-19 tally crosses 45,000-mark with 890 new cases

  With 890 new Covid-19 cases, Chandigarh's cases tally went past the 45,000-mark and currently stands at 45,196, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 06:33:40 PM IST

  More supplies to come, focus on oxygen, related equipment: EU ambassador to India

  European Union's ambassador to India Ugo Astuto said that more supplies are expected to arrive in India and the focus is on oxygen and related equipment, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 05:19:54 PM IST

  12 states now jabbing people in 18-44 years age group, says govt

  Twelve states have started the Covid-19 vaccination for people in the 18 to 44 years age group, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary of the Union health ministry said, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 05:00:59 PM IST

  12 states have over 100,000 active Covid-19 cases: Centre

  The Union health ministry said that 12 states have more than 100,000 active Covid-19 cases while seven states have 50,000 to 100,0000 active case. Also, 17 states have less than 50,000 active cases.

• 3 May 2021, 03:24:33 PM IST

  Mamatam Banerjee declares journalists as Covid-19 warriors

  West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared all journalists as Covid-19 warriors, reports ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 02:57:37 PM IST

  UP government extends 'corona curfew' by 2 more days, effective until 7am on Thursday now

  The Uttar Pradesh state government ordered the extension of the ongoing partial corona curfew by two more days until 7am on Thursday.

• 3 May 2021, 02:37:32 PM IST

  PM Modi thanks EU Commission leader for support, assistance to India's efforts against Covid-19

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for Europe's support and assistance to India's efforts against Covid-19.

• 3 May 2021, 02:27:34 PM IST

  Govt data shows states with maximum consumption, availability of Covid-19 vaccines

  The central government released data showing the consumption so far and the availability of Covid-19 vaccines with each state.

• 3 May 2021, 01:57:51 PM IST

  25 flights, 300 tonnes cargo: How Delhi airport handled Covid relief over 5 days

  

  In a span of just 5 days – April 28 to May 2 - the Delhi airport has handled around 25 Covid relief flights totalling around 300 tonnes of cargo. (File Photo)

  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 meter 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. Read More

• 3 May 2021, 12:46:05 PM IST

  Third 'Oxygen Express' to reach Delhi tomorrow

  The third 'Oxygen Express' train for Delhi with 120 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) is scheduled to reach the national capital on Tuesday morning.

• 3 May 2021, 12:23:34 PM IST

  Pfizer donates USD 70 million to India as coronavirus aid

  American pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer has donated $70 million worth of medicines to India as coronavirus aid in view of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, said company CEO Albert Bourla

• 3 May 2021, 11:56:38 AM IST

  Delhi CM to chair meeting on home isolation

  

  Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (File Photo)

  Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will on Monday chair a meeting of government officers regarding Covid-19 necessitated home isolation. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and the chief secretary are also supposed to be present, reported ANI.

• 3 May 2021, 11:40:37 AM IST

  24 dead at Karnataka hospital due to oxygen shortage: Report

  

  Visuals from outside the Chamarajanagar district hospital in Karnataka show the family members of the patients. Many of the patients who died on Monday reportedly due to a lack of oxygen were undergoing treatment for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). (ANI)

  The incident took place at the Chamarajanagar district hospital in Karnataka. Many of the patients who died reportedly due to a lack of oxygen and other reasons were undergoing treatment for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at the hospital.

• 3 May 2021, 11:26:42 AM IST

  'Corona curfew' in UP extended till 7am on May 6

  The partial 'corona curfew', that was imposed in Uttar Pradesh, has now been extended till 7am on May 6, said assistant chief secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal on Monday.

• 3 May 2021, 10:56:21 AM IST

  Oxygen plant set up at Covid-19 health centre in Delhi

  An oxygen plant has been set up at a Covid-19 health centre in the Commonwealth Games Village Sports Complex. "This plant can supply oxygen to 18-20 patients simultaneously. The plant has been donated by HCL Foundation," said Dr Anurag Mishra.

• 3 May 2021, 10:23:30 AM IST

  People aged 18 years or above queue up outside a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Delhi

  People above 18 years of age were seen on Monday queuing up outside a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Delhi's Ashok Nagar area.

• 3 May 2021, 10:11:24 AM IST

  Railways says it has deployed nearly 4,000 isolation coaches across India

  

  Photo via @RailMinIndia on Twitter

  The Union ministry of railways on Monday said that the Indian Railways has deployed nearly 4,000 isolation coaches with almost 64,000 beds across the country.

• 3 May 2021, 09:55:27 AM IST

  India registers 368,147 new Covid-19 cases, infection tally nears 20 million

  

  A health worker handling oxygen cylinders inside the Covid-19 care centre at Commonwealth Games Village, in New Delhi, India, on Sunday (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO) (HT_PRINT)

  India on Monday reported as many as 368,147 new cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the preceding 24 hours, pushing the country's total infection tally close to 20 million cases. To be precise, the country's cumulative case count has now reached 19,925,604, according to the Union health ministry's dashboard. As many as 3,417 new coronavirus-related fatalities were also recorded, taking the nationwide death toll to 218,959. Read More

• 3 May 2021, 08:42:27 AM IST

  DRDO hands over 50 oxygen cylinders to Telangana hospital

  

  Photo courtesy: DRDO

  The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over 50 oxygen cylinders to the Gandhi Hospital in Telangana's Secunderabad, the department of defence informed on Monday. Union minister Kishan Reddy was present during the handing over of the cylinders on Sunday, it added.

  Notably, these oxygen cylinders are of 46.7 liters water capacity each and can be pressurised up to 150 bars, the DRDO said.

• 3 May 2021, 08:27:39 AM IST

  Delhi L-G seeks action plan on shortage of beds, oxygen amid Covid-19 surge

  

  Delhi L-G Anil Baijal. (HT archive) (HT_PRINT)

  The lieutenant governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal, on Sunday asked concerned departments and agencies to submit an action plan with regard to the availability of hospital beds, medicines, medical oxygen as well as increasing the capacity of crematoriums and graveyards amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the national capital. Read More

  
  

  (Reporting by ANI)

• 3 May 2021, 08:06:09 AM IST

  How many dead are there, really?

  

  A volunteer walks in between burning pyres of persons who died due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19), at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, on May 2, 2021. (Samuel Rajkumar / REUTERS)

  Delhi’s crematoriums running out of wood, underreported deaths from Bihar and Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh — newspapers and websites (including HT) have been peppered with anecdotal reports over the past few weeks that show that many states are under-reporting the number of coronavirus disease or Covid-19 deaths.

  Is it twice the reported number, five times, thirty? Read More

• 3 May 2021, 07:43:02 AM IST

  Opposition parties ask Centre to launch mass vaccination drive free-of-charge

  The leaders of 13 opposition parties in India have penned a joint statement, asking the central government to launch a free mass vaccination drive across India in view of the unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases. It was recommended that a budgetary allocation of ₹35,000 be utilised for this purpose.

  Among the signatories included the leaders of a number of regional parties in states, such as Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, and Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi also signed the joint statement.

• 3 May 2021, 07:42:04 AM IST

  Indian Air Force C-17s airlift cryogenic oxygen containers to meet critical demand

  The Indian Air Force, on Monday morning, said that its C-17 aircraft is bringing four cryogenic oxygen containers from Germany's Frankfurt to the Hindon airbase in Delhi. 450 oxygen cylinders are also being airlifted from Brize Norton in the United Kingdom to the Chennai airbase in Tamil Nadu, it said.

  On a more domestic basis, the C-17 aircrafts are also carrying oxygen containers from one state to another. On Sunday, the IAF C-17 airlifted two cryogenic oxygen containers from Chandigarh to Bhubaneswar, two from Jodhpur to Jamnagar, two from Hindan to Ranchi, two from Indore to Jamnagar, and two more from Hindon to Bhubaneswar, the air force said.