Highlights: Maharashtra records 53,605 new cases, 864 deaths

As many as 4,187 people succumbed to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in India on Saturday and the toll has now climbed to 238,270 with a fatality rate of 1.09%.

India is currently seeing a tsunami of cases and deaths under the deadlier second wave of the Covid-19 disease pandemic. (PTI file photo)

India on Saturday registered over 400,000 new cases (401,078 exact) of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) for a third consecutive time, taking the caseload to over 21.8 million, according to the Union health ministry's dashboard. As many as 4,187 people succumbed to the disease on Saturday and the toll has now climbed to 238,270 with a fatality rate of 1.09%. More than 17.9 million have recovered so far while the active cases are at 3,723,446 and account for nearly 17% of the caseload....Read More

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• 8 May 2021, 10:31:04 PM IST

  Italy plans on lifting quarantine restrictions for travellers from certain countries from May

  Italy has decided to remove quarantine restrictions for travellers from Europe, Britain, and Israel from mid-May onwards in an attempt to revive the tourism industry that has been hit hard by Covid-19 since last year, reported Reuters.

• 8 May 2021, 10:15:13 PM IST

  Andhra Pradesh records 20,065 new cases of Covid-19, 96 deaths

  Andhra Pradesh registers 20,065 new Covid-19 cases, taking the state-wide tally of cases to12,65,439. The state also recorded 96 deaths, the death toll now stands at 8,615, reported news agency ANI.

• 8 May 2021, 10:04:48 PM IST

  Karnataka reports 47,563 new Covid-19 cases, 482 deaths

• 8 May 2021, 08:34:42 PM IST

  Maharashtra records 53,605 new cases, 864 deaths

  Maharashtra recorded 53,605 new cases on Monday, taking the state-wide tally to 50,53,336. 864 deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours.

• 8 May 2021, 08:00:20 PM IST

  UK variant accounts for 70% of Covid cases in Pakistan: Researcher

  A coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom now accounts for up to 70% of Covid-19 infections across Pakistan, a research centre studying the disease in the country said on Saturday.

• 8 May 2021, 07:52:28 PM IST

  We have now delivered over 200 million doses to Europe: President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen

  We have now delivered over 200 million doses (of vaccine) to the European people. So we are on track to achieve our projective of enough doses being delivered in July to vaccinate 70% of the European adult population: President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen

• 8 May 2021, 07:43:31 PM IST

  Yoga guru Swami Adhyatmananda loses battle against Covid-19

  Well-known Yoga guru Swami Adhyatmananda, who headed Ahmedabad-based Sivananda Ashram, died of Covid-19 at a hospital here on Saturday, an official said.

• 8 May 2021, 07:36:24 PM IST

  Former India hockey player M K Kaushik dies of Covid-19

  Former India hockey player and coach M K Kaushik dies of Covid-19.

• 8 May 2021, 07:34:03 PM IST

  Rajasthan reports 17,987 new Covid-19 cases

  Rajasthan reports 17,987 new Covid-19 cases, 160 deaths and 17,667 discharges in the last 24 hours

  Active cases 1,99,307

  Case tally 7,38,786

  Death toll 5,506

  Total recoveries 5,33,973

• 8 May 2021, 07:23:46 PM IST

  442 new Covid-19 cases, 12 deaths and 85 recoveries reported in Manipur

  442 new Covid-19 cases, 12 deaths and 85 recoveries reported in Manipur in the past 24 hours; active cases at 3,851.

• 8 May 2021, 07:22:08 PM IST

  Telangana logs 5,186 Covid-19 cases, 38 deaths

  Telangana on Saturday reported 5,186 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to over 4.92 lakh while the toll rose to 2,704 with 38 more casualties.

• 8 May 2021, 07:05:18 PM IST

  Delhi got 488 MT oxygen on May 7, 30 pc less than required 700 MT for hospitals: Raghav Chadha

  Delhi received 488 MT oxygen on May 7, which is 30 per cent less than 700 MT that the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to supply to the national capital, AAP MLA Raghav Chadha on Saturday.

• 8 May 2021, 06:59:21 PM IST

  Bangladesh detects six cases of Indian variant of coronavirus: official

  Bangladesh has detected six people, who had recently visited India, infected with the Indian variant of the Covid-19, a top health official said on Saturday.

• 8 May 2021, 06:51:42 PM IST

  Smriti Irani makes surprise visit to Amethi, reviews Covid-19 situation

  Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday made a surprise visit to her parliamentary constituency Amethi and reviewed the coronavirus situation in the district.

• 8 May 2021, 06:47:09 PM IST

  Meghalaya govt extends lockdown in East Khasi Hills District till May 17

  In order to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Meghalaya government on Saturday extended lockdown in East Khasi Hills district till May 17, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.

• 8 May 2021, 06:42:52 PM IST

  Covid-19: Thane groups offer vaccination drive suggestions

  An association of advocates in Thane in Maharashtra on Saturday urged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to set up a system in which Covid-19 vaccinations can be administered at the doorstep of those unable to travel to inoculation centres.

• 8 May 2021, 06:35:02 PM IST

  Covid-19: Haryana Red Cross Society prepared to help people, says Governor

  The Haryana Red Cross Society is prepared to provide all possible help to people in this hour of crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya said on Saturday.

• 8 May 2021, 06:18:32 PM IST

  As many as 16,73,46,544 Covid-19 vaccines have been administered so far: Govt

  As many as 16,73,46,544 Covid-19 vaccines have been administered so far in the country including 22,97,257 doses administered in the last 24 hours: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

• 8 May 2021, 06:16:28 PM IST

  Harsh Vardhan urges citizens to not skip second dose of Covid vaccine

  Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday appealed to all citizens to get the second dose which boosts the immunity against Covid manifold, adding that 53,25,000 doses will be supplied to the states soon.

• 8 May 2021, 06:05:31 PM IST

  Haryana to launch Covid vaccination drive for journalists: CM

  Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar on Saturday announced the launch of a vaccination drive for all media personnel in the state, noting that it is the government's responsibility to ensure the well-being of every journalist who is "dedicatedly rendering their services" in this hour of crisis.

• 8 May 2021, 05:57:46 PM IST

  Not paying attention to medical system behind Covid infection spread to villages: Akhilesh Yadav

  Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government, saying had it paid attention to the medical system in the state, the coronavirus infection would not have spread to villages and resulted in a huge number of deaths.

• 8 May 2021, 05:46:08 PM IST

  All type of movements/activities to remain prohibited from 6am on May 10 to 6am on May 25 in Karnataka

  Karnataka | All type of movements/activities to remain prohibited from 6 am on May 10 to 6 am on May 25 in the city. Any violation of the order shall be liable for prosecution: Kamal Pant, Commissioner of Police and Additional District Magistrate, Bengaluru.

• 8 May 2021, 05:36:29 PM IST

  Over 100 medical staff members at Rishikesh AIIMS test positive for Covid-19

  100 medical staff members at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here tested positive for Covid-19.

• 8 May 2021, 05:30:26 PM IST

  Haryana to convert Govt schools, AYUSH centres to isolation centres

  Concerned over the rise in number of Covid-19 cases in Haryana's rural areas, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said that government schools and AYUSH centres will be converted to isolation centres.

• 8 May 2021, 05:20:08 PM IST

  Oxygen plant to come up in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad: CM Yogi Adityanath

  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Integrated Covid Command and Control Centre here on Saturday and reviewed health facilities in the district.

• 8 May 2021, 05:18:53 PM IST

  Covid-19 virus is more aggressive, says German Ambassador Walter J Lindner

  Work is being done on genome sequencing of coronavirus and mutations and the repercussions and this virus is more aggressive than others, German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner has said and noted that countries have to come together to fight the pandemic.

• 8 May 2021, 05:07:37 PM IST

  Open Covid-19 centres for differently-abled: Goa govt urged

  The Goa government has been urged to set up special Covid-19 centres in the state for people with disability and their family members.

• 8 May 2021, 05:05:05 PM IST

  Supreme Court sets up national task force to assess, recommend need and distribution of oxygen throughout India

  Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice DY Chandrahud, in its order, constituted a National Task Force (NTF) to assess, recommend the need and distribution of oxygen for the entire country.

• 8 May 2021, 04:51:16 PM IST

  Oxygen cylinders, concentrators arranged at 170-bedded Haj House Covid centre

  "We now have oxygen back up and concentrators at Haj House. It’s kind of mini-hospital admitting less critical patients with15 litre/minute back up for them," says Haneef Balkhi, Srinagar ADC

• 8 May 2021, 04:50:31 PM IST

  Oxygen cannulas, cylinders arrive in India from Austria, Czech Republic as part of Covid assistance

  An aircraft carrying 1,900 oxygen cannulas and 396 oxygen cylinders from Austria and 500 oxygen cylinders from Czech Republic arrived in India on Saturday as the country struggles with a massive second wave of infections with several hospitals turning away patients due to shortage of beds and oxygen supplies.

• 8 May 2021, 04:45:20 PM IST

  Pakistan gets first Covid-19 vaccine doses under Covax, says UNICEF

  Pakistan on Saturday received its first batch of 1.2 million Covid-19 vaccine doses under its COVAX quota, UNICEF said in a media release.

• 8 May 2021, 04:44:33 PM IST

  Third consignment from Gilead Sciences of 25,000 doses of Remdesivir reach India

  "Third consignment from Gilead Sciences of 25,000 doses of Remdesivir reach India from United States. 1,80,000 doses have reached so far. More to follow," tweets Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to US.

• 8 May 2021, 04:34:52 PM IST

  First batch of Covid-19 vaccine will reach Uttarakhand today

  CM Tirath Singh Rawat has instructed that necessary arrangements should be made to escalate the Covid-19 vaccination process, as soon as vaccines arrive in state for 18-45 year age group. The first batch will reach Uttarakhand today: Uttarakhand CMO

• 8 May 2021, 04:34:06 PM IST

  Shivraj Singh Chouhan discusses Covid-19 situation in Madhya Pradesh with PM Modi

  Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the coronavirus situation in the state including the improving recovery rate, the CMO said.

• 8 May 2021, 04:27:24 PM IST

  Covid-19: Stricter curbs in Maharashtra's Solapur till May 15

  In a bid to break the chain of coronavirus, the authorities in Maharashtra's Solapur have announced stricter restrictions for a week in the city as well as other parts of the district.

• 8 May 2021, 04:19:03 PM IST

  Delhi reports 17,364 new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours

  Delhi reports 17,364 new Covid-19 cases, 20,160 recoveries and 332 deaths in the last 24 hours.

  Total cases 13,10,231

  Total recoveries 12,03,253

  Death toll 19,071

  Active cases 87,907

• 8 May 2021, 04:10:28 PM IST

  Shipment of 50 ventilators, 25,000 vials of Remdesivir arrives from Canada

  Delhi: A shipment of 50 ventilators and 25,000 vials of Remdesivir arrives from Canada.

• 8 May 2021, 03:58:16 PM IST

  Germany has sent an Oxygen Plant with the capacity of generating 4,00,000 litres of oxygen

  Germany has sent an Oxygen Plant with the capacity of generating 4,00,000 litres of oxygen. The Plant will serve DRDO operated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Covid Hospital. German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner inspected the Plant today.

• 8 May 2021, 03:48:21 PM IST

  Summer vacations in all government, non-government, private and day boarding schools till June 30: Uttarakhand

  In view of the increasing Covid-19 cases, summer vacations in all government, non-government, private and day boarding schools till June 30. During this period, if a private school wants to conduct online classes, it can do so as per its convenience: Govt of Uttarakhand.

• 8 May 2021, 03:46:22 PM IST

  No new Covid-19 case reported in 180 districts in last 7 days, says Harsh Vardhan

  Not a single new case of Covid-19 was reported in 180 districts in the country in the past seven days and no fresh infections were recorded in 18 districts in the last two weeks, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday.

• 8 May 2021, 03:28:33 PM IST

  DRDO developed anti Covid drug is taken orally by dissolving it in water: Defence Ministry

  DRDO developed anti-Covid drug 2-DG comes in powder form in sachet; is taken orally by dissolving it in water: Defence Ministry.

• 8 May 2021, 03:27:09 PM IST

  Delhi got 487 MT of oxygen on May 7: Manish Sisodia

  Delhi got 487 MT of oxygen on May 7; difficult to manage in that amount: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

• 8 May 2021, 02:42:44 PM IST

  Requirement of a positive test for Covid-19 not mandatory for admission to Covid health facility

  Union Health Ministry revises national policy for admission of Covid patients to Covid facilities; requirement of a positive test for Covid-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a Covid health facility.

• 8 May 2021, 02:26:23 PM IST

  Over 84 lakh vaccine doses still available with states, UTs; 17.49 cr doses provided so far: Govt

  More than 84 lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories and over 53 lakh doses will be distributed to them in the next three days, the Centre said on Saturday.

• 8 May 2021, 02:06:34 PM IST

  Sri Lanka approves Pfizer Covid vaccine for emergency use

  Sri Lanka on Saturday approved Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in Sri Lanka, as the island nation battles a third wave of the virus, while suffering a restricted supply of vaccines from neighboring India.

• 8 May 2021, 01:49:23 PM IST

  PM Modi speaks to Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Covid-related situation in the state

  PM Narendra Modi spoke to Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on the Covid-related situation in the state.

• 8 May 2021, 01:45:34 PM IST

  Vaccines are being administered at 100 schools in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal

  Vaccines are being administered at 100 schools in Delhi and 1 lakh people are being vaccinated daily. We are planning to expand it to 300 schools and ramp up the vaccination to 3 lakhs per day: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

• 8 May 2021, 01:38:24 PM IST

  PM Modi took information over Covid-19 situation and lauded Maharashtra's efforts

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday to take stock of Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra. "He took information over the situation and lauded Maharashtra's efforts put in while combating the second wave of the infection. Chief minister apprised the prime minister about the steps taken by Maharashtra government and its preparations to face the potential third wave. He also requested for more supply of oxygen to Maharashtra," a statement by CMO has said.

• 8 May 2021, 01:31:16 PM IST

  Free vaccine is the right of every citizen of this country: Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Pratap Khachariyawas

  Free vaccine is the right of every citizen of this country. It should be given to all without any discussion... They (Centre) have put GST on vaccines& started increasing prices of petrol and diesel after Bengal elections: Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Pratap Khachariyawas.

• 8 May 2021, 01:13:08 PM IST

  SC orders release of prisoners to decongest jails amid Covid-19 pandemic

  SC takes note of fresh Covid-19 surge, orders release of prisoners who were granted bail in March last year to decongest jails amid pandemic. The top court

  directed that prisoners who were granted parole last year should again be given 90-day furlough in order to tide over pandemic.