Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Maharashtra Records 34,848 New Cases, UP Daily Caseload Down To 12,547

Welcome to the ABP News Blog for Friday, May 15, 2021: West Bengal on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases. Karnataka which is the worst Covid-affected state has reported 3,500 Covid-19 related deaths between May 7 and 13. Amid the cyclone alert, BMC said that there will be no Covid vaccination in govt centres on 15 and 16 May in Mumbai.

Background

Welcome to the ABP News Blog for Friday, May 15, 2021:  World health experts issued a grim warning Friday that the second year of Covid-19 was set to be "far more deadly", as Japan extended a state of emergency amid growing calls for the Olympics to be scrapped.

"We're on track for the second year of this pandemic to be far more deadly than the first," said the World Health Organization's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Even as hospitals in Goa see a surge in COVID-19 cases, the scenes at crematoriums in the coastal state are equally grim, as bodies continue to line up for last rites.

One of the oldest crematoriums in Goa located in Margao city had to construct four additional platforms and dedicate three of its existing ones to cater to people who died of COVID-19.

The century-old crematorium, managed by Mathagramasth Hindu Sabha, opened its doors to COVID-19 casualties after it was found that they were not being entertained by other facilities.

23:41 PM (IST)  •  15 May 2021

Assam Lockdown From Sunday (May 16) - Check Guidelines

Assam Lockdown From Sunday (May 16) - Check Guidelines

Amid rising COVID cases, Assam Govt issues new directives that shall come into force w.e.f 5 am on May 16 until further orders, during which all shops & commercial establishments shall be closed at 11 am on all days. No movement allowed from 12 noon to 5 am daily sans exemptions. pic.twitter.com/iKOfWVuO79

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021

23:40 PM (IST)  •  15 May 2021

Assam Issues Fresh Lockdown For Urban Areas From Sunday

Assam government issues fresh lockdown guidelines for urban and adjoining areas to come into effect from 5 am tomorrow. All shops and commercial establishments shall shut down by 11 am on all days.

21:05 PM (IST)  •  15 May 2021

UP Daily Covid Cases Down To 12,547; 281 Deaths In Last 24 Hrs

UP Daily Covid Cases Down To 12,547; 281 Deaths In Last 24 Hrs

Uttar Pradesh reports 12,547 new #COVID19 cases, 28,404 recoveries and 281 deaths in the last 24 hours

Total cases 16,09,140
Active cases 1,77,643 pic.twitter.com/sWQEonJdZK

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 15, 2021

21:03 PM (IST)  •  15 May 2021

Maharashtra Records 34,848 Fresh Covid Cases, 960 Deaths

Maharashtra reports 34,848 new Covid-19 cases, 59,073 discharges and 960 deaths in the last 24 hours

Total cases 53,44,063
Death toll 80,512
Total discharges 47,67,053

Active cases 4,94,032

18:05 PM (IST)  •  15 May 2021

Taiwan Facing Community Transmission

Taiwan had so far remained mostly COVID free. Now we are facing community transmission for the first time. But we will keep working together and caring for each other. We will get through this: Taiwan VP