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Covid-19 Highlights: Covid 3rd wave peak in France 'appears to be behind us': PM
Amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases across India, several states have been imposing coronavirus-necessitated curbs in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus variants. The country is gearing up for the third phase of its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive, slated to begin on May 1.
India, fighting an uphill battle against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), reported over 3 lakh new infections on Thursday. Although government officials have said that statistics do not show the second wave to be more contagious than the first, cases have increased manifold over the past few weeks. The central government has ramped up the production capacity of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir from the current 38 lakh vials per month to 74 lakh vials per month. Amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases, several states have also been imposing restrictions on the movement of people in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus variants, while the country is gearing up for the third phase of its nationwide vaccination drive, slated to begin on May 1. Everyone above the age of 18 will be considered eligible for vaccination under this phase, the central government has said....Read More
Find the latest news updates on the coronavirus disease and Covid-19 vaccines in India and across the world here.
Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak:
• The Union health ministry's dashboard on Thursday showed that India has recorded 314,835 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day spike in the world, while Covid-19-related deaths also jumped by a record with 2,104 new fatalities.
• Fresh Covid-19 curbs are in place in Maharashtra, India's worst-hit state, from today. The restrictions will remain in effect till May 1 in view of the sudden surge in coronavirus disease cases in the state.
• A nationwide shortage in oxygen supply is being reported, with at least 24 Covid-19 patients at a hospital in Maharashtra's Nashik dying on Wednesday after their ventilators ran out. Hospitals in Delhi, the national capital, and elsewhere have warned that their supplies of medical oxygen given to severely ill Covid-19 patients are running low.
• The Supreme Court has asked the central government to present a national plan on the supply of oxygen and essential drugs, and the method of vaccination. The matter will be heard on Friday.
• On the other side of the world, the United States of America has administered over 200 million Covid-19 vaccine shots. US president Joe Biden called this a "stunning achievement".
Madhya Pradesh reports 12,384 fresh Covid-19 positive cases
Madhya Pradesh reports 12,384 fresh Covid-19 positive cases, 9,620 recoveries and 75 deaths
Active cases: 84,957
Death toll: 4,863
Covid 3rd wave peak in France 'appears to be behind us': PM
The peak of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in France "appears to be behind us", Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday, announcing that travel restrictions will be relaxed from early next month.
Pune reports 9,841 new Covid-19 cases, 115 deaths in last 24 hours
With 9,841 new Covid-19 cases and 115 fatalities, Pune's cases tally reached 763,194 and death toll climbed to 11,882, reports ANI.
Covid-19 vaccination drive: Over 3 million doses administered till 8pm
The Union health ministry said that over 3 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been delivered under the country's vaccination drive until 8pm on the day. The ministry highlighted that cumulative vaccine coverage was above 135 million doses.
West Bengal records 11,948 new Covid-19 cases in highest single-day spike
West Bengal reported 11,948 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike in the state and 56 related deaths, reports PTI citing state health department.
Karnataka sets aside ₹400 crore to procure 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses: CM
Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa said that the state government has earmarked ₹400 crore for procuring 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses for the state.
Maharashtra records 67,013 new cases of Covid-19; Mumbai continues downward trend and adds 7,367 cases to its tally
With 67,013 new Covid-19 cases and 568 new fatalities, Maharashtra's tally reached 4,094,840 and the death toll climbed to 62,479.
Mumbai's daily tally continued to decline and 7,367 new cases were reported. Cases tally stands at 609,080. The city also saw 75 new deaths as the death toll reached 12,583.
Gujarat reports over 13,000 new Covid-19 cases, 137 deaths in last 24 hours
Gujarat reported 13,105 new Covid-19 cases and 137 deaths in last 24 hours taking the state's tally to 453,836 cases and death toll to 5,877, reports ANI.
Tamil Nadu reports 12,652 new Covid-19 cases, active caseload close to 90,000-mark
Tamil Nadu reported 12,652 new Covid-19 cases and 59 deaths taking the state's cases tally to 1,037,711 and death toll to 13,317, reports ANI.
Goa reports 1,410 new Covid-19 cases, 21 deaths in last 24 hours
With 1,410 new Covid-19 cases and 21 deaths in the last 24 hours, Goa's cases tally reached 72,224 and the death toll reached 964, reports ANI.
WB CM Mamata Banerjee announces 'free universal vaccination' after May 5 for people above 18 years
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announces free universal vaccination after May 5 for all people over 18 years of age in the state.
Karnataka reports over 25,000 new Covid-19 cases, 123 deaths in last 24 hours
With 25,795 new Covid-19 cases and 123 fatalities in the last 24 hours, Karnataka's Covid-19 tally reached 1,247,997 and death toll climbed to 13,885, reports ANI.
Watch | ‘Maharashtra Remdesivir consumption of 50,000 vials/day, getting 26,000’: Tope
Covid-19: Goa government to inoculate people between 18, 45 years of age for free of cost
Goa government has said that people between 18 and 45 years of age to be vaccinated against Covid-19 free of cost, reports PTI.
Uttarakhand to close all offices, except those offering essential services, for 3 days from April 24
Uttarakhand government has ordered the closure of all offices in the state, except those offering essential services, for three days beginning April 24, reports ANI.
Uttarakhand reports almost 4,000 new Covid-19 cases, 19 deaths
With 3,998 new Covid-19 cases and 19 deaths, Uttarakhand's cases tally reached 138,010 and the death toll reached 1,972, reports ANI.
PM Modi cancels visit to West Bengal on Friday, will hold high-level meeting to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a high-level meeting to review Covid-19 situation in the state and has cancelled his West Bengal visit.
Chhattisgarh CM writes to PM Modi, seeks immediate information on cost, availability of Covid-19 vaccines
Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate information on cost, availability of Covid-19 vaccine, reports ANI.
PM Modi chairs high-level meeting to review oxygen supply across country, ways to boost availability
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the oxygen availability across the country and means to boost its availability, reports ANI.
Home ministry asks states to ensure no restrictions applied on supply of medical oxygen for Covid-19 patients
The Union ministry of home affairs has asked the state governments to ensure that there are no restrictions applied on the supply of medical Oxygen for Covid-19 patients.
Noida: Kailash hospital says Oxygen to last for few more hours, stops admissions
Kailash hospital in Noida said that only few more hours supply of oxygen left. Group Medical Director Dr Ritu Bohra said that admissions have been stopped, reports ANI.
Oxygen completely exhausted in some Delhi hospitals: Manish Sisodia
Amid the worsening oxygen crisis in the national capital, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said that oxygen has completely depleted in some hospitals in the union territory. "I have been receiving messages and emails from hospitals since this morning. We are somehow providing them cylinders by arranging from other hospitals that have slightly more stock," he said.
Haryana announces summer vacation in schools till May 31 as Covid-19 cases rise
The Haryana government on Thursday declared summer vacation in schools till May 31, amid rising Covid-19 cases in the state. There are as many as 55,422 active Covid-19 cases in Haryana so far, said the Union Health Ministry on Thursday. The cumulative cases in the state have mounted to 3,22,297 while the death toll now stands at 3,528.
(Reporting by ANI)
10 states with the most number of confirmed Covid-19 cases
The central government on Thursday released the list of states with the highest number of confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
The 10 states which take the top spot are (in descending order):
- Maharashtra
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Delhi
- West Bengal
- Chhattisgarh
- Rajasthan
Fix one price for Covid-19 vaccine: Mamata's appeal to Centre
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the central government must fix one price irrespective of who pays – Centre or state.
“One nation, one party, one leader shouts BJP all the time but to save lives they can’t have one price for the vaccine. Every Indian needs free vaccine, regardless of age, caste, creed, location. GoI must fix ONE price for Covid vaccine irrespective of who pays— Centre or the States,” Banerjee tweeted on Thursday.
