Highlights: Telangana records 4,801 new Covid-19 cases, 32 deaths
The World Health Organization (WHO) sees the highly contagious variant of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) spreading in India as a global concern. India on Tuesday saw 329,942 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry dashboard. The new Covid-19 cases took the active caseload of the nation to over 3.71 million (3,715,221) and death toll to 249,992....Read More
The nation's capital, New Delhi extended its lockdown for another week as it battled a wave of coronavirus infections and warned about a potentially deadly fungal infection in Covid-19 patients. Uttar Pradesh also extended its lockdown till May 17 with stricter measures.
Meanwhile, WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has termed the rate of coronavirus infections and deaths in India as "worrying" and called on governments to boost exercises on reporting actual numbers.
"I would say that at this point of time, the situation is very worrying, the daily number of cases and deaths that we are seeing today in India and other countries in the Southeast area region is a big concern for us and we also realise that these are underestimates. Every country in the world, in fact, the number of cases and deaths has been underestimated to its true number," she told ANI.
Telangana records 4,801 new Covid-19 cases, 32 deaths
Telangana recorded 4,801 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total tally of active cases to 60,136. 32 deaths were also reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 2803.
Uttarakhand, Telangana float global tenders for procuring Covid-19 vaccines
The states of Telangana and Uttarakhand joined the list of several other states on Tuesday by floating global tenders for Covid-19 vaccine procurement, reported news agency ANI.
Tamil Nadu records 29,272 cases of Covid-19, 298 fatalities
Maharashtra records 40,956 new cases of Covid-19, 793 deaths
Maharashtra reported 40, 956 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, taking the state-wide tally of cases to 51,79,929. 793 deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 77,191.
FIR lodged against Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly spreading panic about Covid-19 variant
A First Information Report has been lodged against ex-chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly spreading panic about N440K variant of Covid-19 in the state, reported ANI.
Japan to send 200 oxygen concentrators to India on May 12
Covid-19 vaccines continue to be effective against B.1.617 variant, says WHO
Covid-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics continue to be effective against B.1.617 variant, World Health Organization representative to India, Dr Roderico H Ofrin said on Tuesday, reported ANI.
Vaccines procured by Maharashtra govt for inoculating 18-45 year-olds being diverted, says health minister
Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said on Tuesday that stock procured by state government for vaccinating those in the18-44 age group is being diverted for the second dose of 45-plus beneficiaries. More than 2.1 million people are due for their second dose, 1.6 million of whom have taken Covishield. Adding that the decision taken in the wake of the short supply of vaccines for 45-plus by the Central government.
States showing decline in daily Covid-19 cases, says health ministry
Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Telangana, Chandigarh, Ladakh, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands showing continuous decline in daily Covid-19 cases, the health ministry said on Tuesday.
Delhi records 12,481 new Covid-19 cases, 347 deaths
Delhi recorded 12,481 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the number of active cases in the capital to 83,809. 347 deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 20,010.
States and UTs to receive 7 lakh additional doses of Covid-19 vaccine, says health minister
Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday that states and Union Territories will be receiving over 7 lakh additional Covid-19 vaccine doses in next 3 days, reported PTI.
Jasprit Bumrah gets inoculated with first dose of Covid-19 vaccine
Nagaland imposes total lockdown from May 14 till May 21
Nagaland imposed total lockdown from May 14 till May 21, in a bid to control the surge of Covid-19 cases in the state. Read More
Andhra CM announces ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for kins of Covid patients who died in Tirupati
Andhra chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 Lakh for the kins of the Covid-19 patients who died in Ruia hospital, Tirupati, on Monday night, reported ANI.
PM Modi speaks with Lotay Tshering; thanks Bhutan for support in wake of Covid pandemic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering on Tuesday as the two leaders noted that the coronavirus crisis has further highlighted the special friendship between the two countries.
Pondy registers highest single-day coronavirus toll with 30 deaths
For the first time sincethe Covid-19 pandemic outbreak last year, Puducherry recorded 30 related fatalities, highest in a single day, taking the toll past the 1,000-mark.
Decision over extension of lockdown in Maharashtra will be taken tomorrow: Rajesh Tope
Decision over extension of lockdown in the state will be taken in the cabinet meeting tomorrow: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.
Graph of Covid-19 cases on decline in Madhya Pradesh: minister
The graph of Covid-19 infections in Madhya Pradesh is on the decline, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Tuesday, a day after the daily infections dropped to 9,715.
Considering holding off vaccination drive temporarily for 18-44 age group: Rajesh Tope
There is a dearth of vaccines hence we are considering holding off vaccination drive temporarily for 18-44 age group. 2.75 lakh vaccine doses left for this group, that'll be used for 45 yrs and above group now. Administering 2nd dose is priority: Maharashtra Health Min Rajesh Tope
Over 18 crore vaccine doses provided to states/UTs free of cost: Govt
Over 18 crore vaccine doses provided to states/UTs free of cost by Govt of India, so far. More than 90 lakh doses still available with States/UTs to be administered. Over 7 Lakh doses, in addition, will be received by States/UTs in next 3 days: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Demand for oxygen and beds is less now: Satyendar Jain
Demand for oxygen and beds is less now, but it's there. We've about 23,000 beds of which 20,000 are occupied, It's a huge number. Oxygen supply should continue otherwise it will be problematic. We are getting little less than the requirement of 700 tonnes LMO: Delhi Health Minister
In the last few days, positivity rate has declined from 36% to 19.1%" Satyendar Jain
In the last few days, positivity rate has declined from 36% to 19.1% with the caseload also going down from 28,000 per day to about 12,500. Till we reach positivity rate at below 5% and caseload below 3000-4000 cases, we can't be at ease: Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister.
Need to develop national policy to inoculate everyone in next few months: Kejriwal
Need to ramp up vaccine manufacturing on war footing in India and develop national policy to inoculate everyone in next few months, says Delhi CM Kejriwal.
Centre should procure their formula and give it to other companies: Arvind Kejriwal
Only two companies should not be manufacturing vaccine. Centre should procure their formula and give it to other companies, says Kejriwal.
We are facing vaccine shortage; left with stock that will last only a few days: Delhi CM
Right now, we are administering 1.25 lakh doses every day. We will soon begin vaccinating over 3 lakh people every day. We aim to vaccinate all residents of Delhi within next 3 months. But we are facing vaccine shortage. We are left with stock that will last only a few days: Arvind Kejriwal.
Coronavirus cases are going down in Delhi, so is the second wave: Arvind Kejriwal
Corona cases are going down in Delhi, so is the second wave. With your cooperation lockdown was successful. We have increased number of Oxygen beds in past few days. Yesterday we started 500 new ICU beds near GTB Hospital. Now there's no shortage of ICU and Oxygen beds in Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Covid-19 vaccination camp at Delhi airport cancelled due to vaccine shortage
The proposed Covid-19 vaccination camp which was scheduled to be held at GSD Complex, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi on Tuesday and Thursday, has been cancelled as government authorities have expressed inability to hold these camps due to non-availability of vaccines.
UK keeping a 'close eye' on Indian variant as Covid restrictions ease
Britain is keeping a close eye on the Indian variant of Covid-19 but measures such as enhanced tracking and tracing, travel restrictions and the roll out of the vaccine should keep it at very low levels, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday.
Australia's Victoria on alert after first Covid-19 case in two months
Australia's second most populous state reported a locally acquired Covid-19 case for the first time in more than two months on Tuesday, sending authorities scrambling to find the source of the infection amid concern about a new outbreak.
UP: Case registered against 35 SP leaders for violating Covid norms in Unnao
A case has been registered against 35 Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders here for violating Covid-19 norms by holding a meeting without taking permission from the administration, police said on Tuesday.
HUL to provide 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India
FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Tuesday said it will provide 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India to address the acute shortage of medical oxygen as the country grapples with a deadly second wave of the pandemic.
India's seven-day Covid average at new high, WHO issues warning on strain
India's coronavirus crisis showed scant sign of easing on Tuesday, with a seven-day average of new cases at a record high and international heath authorities warning the country's variant of the virus poses a global concern.
We need more targeted sequencing to be done: Dr Maria Van Kerkhove
We need much more information about this (B1617) virus variant and all of the sub-lineages. We need more targeted sequencing to be done: Dr Maria Van Kerkhove.
B1617 virus variant has been classified as a variant of interest by WHO: Dr Maria Van Kerkhove
B1617 virus variant that was first identified in India has been classified as a variant of interest by WHO: Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Technical lead Covid-19 at WHO.
Low and lower-middle income countries have received just 17% of the world’s vaccine: WHO
High & upper middle countries represents 53% of world’s population but have received 83% of the world’s vaccine. By contrast low and lower-middle income countries account for 47% but have received just 17% of the world’s vaccine: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu.
India logs 329,942 fresh Covid-19 cases, 3,876 fatalities
India reports 3,29,942 new Covid-19 cases, 3,56,082 discharges and 3,876 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry
Total cases: 2,26,62,575
Total discharges: 1,90,27,304
Death toll: 2,49,992
Active cases: 37,15,221
Total vaccination: 17,27,10,066
Odisha reported 9793 new Covid-19 cases
Odisha reported 9793 new Covid-19 cases, 9706 recoveries and 18 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 5,54,666
Total recoveries 4,57,569
Death toll 2215
Active cases 94,829
Scientists develop better way to block viruses causing respiratory infections in children
Researchers have improved a method in rodent models intended to help keep children healthy by engineering a short chunk of protein, or peptide, that can prevent the attachment of human parainfluenza viruses to cells.
Philippines records first two cases of Indian coronavirus variant
The Philippines has detected its first two cases of a coronavirus variant first identified in India, its health ministry said on Tuesday.
Andamans reports 31 new Covid-19 cases, 2 more deaths
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Covid-19 tally rose to 6,398 as 31 more people tested positive for the virus, while two new fatalities pushed the death toll in the union territory to 78, a health department official said on Tuesday.
18,50,110 samples were tested yesterday: ICMR
30,56,00,187 samples tested up to May 10, for Covid-19. Of these, 18,50,110 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Uttarakhand Police launches 'Mission Hausla' to help Covid-19 patients get oxygen, beds, plasma
The Uttarakhand Police has launched a drive called "Mission Hausla" to help people get oxygen, beds and plasma for Covid-19 patients.
Ladakh reports 112 new Covid-19 cases, 2 more deaths
Ladakh has reported 112 new Covid-19 cases pushing the tally to 15,429, while two more fatalities raised the death toll due to the viral disease to 157 in the Union Territory, officials said on Tuesday.
North Korea again claims no coronavirus infections
North Korea has told the World Health Organization that it has tested 25,986 people for the coronavirus through April but still has yet to find a single infection.
Ready to buy vaccine from foreign countries if center allows: AP Health Principal Secy
Andhra Pradesh medical and health principal secretary Anil Kumar Singhal said the state government is ready to purchase corona vaccine directly from foreign countries too, if Central government allows.
Covid-19: Sewa spends USD 6 mn on lifesaving equipment for India
Non-profit organisation Sewa International said that it has spent over USD 6 million to procure lifesaving equipment in the last two weeks as part of its ‘Help India Defeat Covid-19’ campaign.
Mizoram reports 173 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours
Mizoram reports 173 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total cases in the state to 7796.
Active cases 1854
Total discharges 5920
Death toll 22
England reports zero daily Covid-19 deaths for first time since July last year
England reported zero daily Covid-19 deaths on Monday, the first time in a 24-hour period since July last year.
Australia's New South Wales reports zero Covid-19 cases for fifth straight day
Australia's most populous state reported no new locally acquired Covid-19 cases for a fifth straight day on Tuesday as authorities hunt for a missing link in a new infection chain reported last week.
Indian doctors warn against cow dung as Covid cure
Doctors in India are warning against the practice of using cow dung in the belief it will ward off Covid-19, saying there is no scientific evidence for its effectiveness and that it risks spreading other diseases.