Covid-19 live: Slight dip in Maharashtra's daily tally with 35,726 cases; death toll highest in 5 months

Former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan has tested positive for Covid-19, the cricketer tweeted the news on Saturday. Read More

Maharashtra on Saturday recorded 35,726 new Covid-19 cases, taking the state-wide tally of infections to 2,673,461. 166 fatalities were also recorded in the same time frame, the death toll now stands at 54,073. The city of Mumbai recorded its highest ever spike, recording 6,130 new cases, the total number of infections in the capital city now stands at 391,791.

Tamil Nadu on Saturday recorded 1971 new cases of Covid-19, taking the state's total tally of cases to 8,75,190. 9 deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 12,650.

Kerala recorded 2,055 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the state-wide tally of infections to 11,15,777. 14 fatalities were also reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 4,567, reported news agency PTI.

Delhi recorded 1558 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, pushing the toll to 6,55,834. 974 recoveries were also reported in the last 24 hours, along with 10 fatalities.

Night curfew in Mumbai city may start from 10pm on March 28. During curfew hours only essential services to be allowed, Mayor Kishori Pednekar told news agency ANI.

Philippines on Saturday imposed a coronavirus lockdown in and around capital city of Manila, reported AFP.

Virologists from from Charite -- Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany, published a study assessing the course of evolution of the SARS-CoV2 virus. The study showed that vaccines will need to be updated as newer virus variants emerge, reported PTI.

Delhi Police on Saturday cautioned citizens against public gatherings on Holi in the wake of rising cases in the country, asking them to celebrate it at home instead, reported PTI. They also warned of strict action against those who flouts rules on public gatherings.

Telangana recorded 495 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the gross to 3.05 lakh, while the toll rose to 1,685 with two more fatalities, reported PTI.

Russia on Saturday reported 8,885 new coronavirus cases occurring in the past 24 hours, including 1,551 new cases in Moscow, and 387 deaths nationwide, reported Reuters.

Odisha reported 210 new Covid-19 cases, 73 recoveries and 1 death on March 26.

As of now, no possibility of lockdown. First it was said that it's 14-day cycle b/w infection & recovery. Experts said if all activities close for 21 days, it won't spread. Lockdown was extended but it didn't stop completely. So I don't think lockdown is solution, said health minister Satyendar Jain, reported ANI.

The Covid-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 5,043 on Saturday as one more person tested positive for the infection, a health official said, reported PTI.

There were fewer cases earlier but it has increased now. So we have increased the number of testings and conducting 85,000-90,000 tests every day, which is more than 5% of the national average. We are also doing contact tracing and isolation, said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, reported ANI.

Bhutanese travelled to schools and public buildings for vaccination on Saturday as the Himalayan kingdom launched its biggest inoculation drive against Covid-19 with the AstraZeneca shots provided by India.

Former Indian cricketer and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar has tested positive for Covid-19.

India has supplied more Covid-19 vaccines globally than vaccinated its own people, the country has told the UN General Assembly and cautioned that vaccine inequity will defeat the collective global resolve to contain the coronavirus, according to news agency PTI.

India recorded a jump of 62,258 fresh cases in the last 24 hours taking the total infection tally past 11.9 million. As many as 291 people died during the same period due to the viral disease. The toll from the disease has gone up to 161,240.

With 41,869 cases, France has reported over 40,000 Covid-19 cases for days in a row while the toll from the disease has gone up to 897, health authorities were quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

In a letter to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla called for necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus and directed states and UTs to issue instructions to district administrations and police authorities to “scrupulously enforce Covid appropriate behaviour and SOPs in all public gatherings during the upcoming festivals.”