Covid Live Updates: India Logs 2,380 Fresh Cases And 15 Deaths In Last 24 Hours, Active Case Tally At 27,212
Several parts of the country are witnessing a rise in Covid cases. The Centre has asked states to increase vigilance in the wake of the spike in cases. Follow all updates on Covid cases here.
India on Sunday recorded 2,380 Covid infections in the last 24 hours while active cases dipped to 27,212 from 30,041 a day earlier, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.
The death count climbed to 5,31,659 with 15 fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The health department reported 176 coronavirus cases and two fatalities in Maharashtra on Saturday. The state's COVID-19 tally increased to 81,67,342 with the new additions, bringing the death toll to 1,48,536.
Maharashtra had reported 299 cases and two fatalities the day before. There were 47 new infections in Mumbai. Two new COVID-19 fatalities have been reported from Mumbai and Ratnagiri. According to the health department bulletin, the state's case fatality rate is now 1.81 percent.
Delhi recorded 113 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 8.21 per cent and three Covid-linked deaths on Saturday, according to data shared by the city government's health department.
However, the department stated in its most recent bulletin that the complete case sheets for the three fatalities are still awaiting from hospitals. With this, Delhi's case count increased to 20,39,996 and the death toll increased to 26,641, according to the report.
The new cases were discovered after 1,376 tests were performed the day before, according to the bulletin. The number of active cases is 1,097, with 870 patients in home isolation, according to the report.
India records 3,720 new COVID-19 infections. Count of active cases stands at 40,177, death toll 5,31,584: Union health ministry.
Mizoram reported its first Covid death in over six months, after an elderly man succumbed to the virus in Aizawl, an official said on Tuesday. The 63-year-old man, who was infected with COVID-19, died at a private hospital here on Monday, he said. The northeastern state had last registered a death owing to coronavirus on October 29, 2022.
According to a health department bulletin, 34 people tested Covid positive in the last 24 hours, raising the number of active cases to 78. So far, 2,39,086 people have contracted the virus and 727 have succumbed to it, while a total of 2,38,281 patients recovered from the disease.
Delhi reported 289 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 9.74 per cent and a fatality due to the infection on Tuesday, according to data shared by the city government's health department. The primary cause of the single fatality was not Covid and its finding was incidental, the latest bulletin issued by the city health department said.
With the fresh cases and fatalities, the national capital's case count climbed to 20,39,270 and the death toll rose to 26,633, it bulletin said. The fresh cases emerged from 2,968 tests conducted the previous day, it said.
Arunachal Pradesh recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the northeastern state’s tally to 66,928, a senior health official said on Tuesday. The active cases stood at 26, while 66,606 people have recovered from the disease so far, he said. All the cases were detected through rapid antigen tests, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Lobsang Jampa said.
A total of 296 people have died due to the contagion till date. The Capital Complex region, comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas, registered the highest number of active cases at 11, followed by Tawang (5), he added.
India reports 3,325 new cases and 6,379 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The active caseload stands at 44,175, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Delhi reported 259 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 14.3 per cent, and two deaths related due to the disease on Monday, according to data shared by the city government's health department.
With the fresh cases and fatalities, the national capital's case count climbed to 20,38,981 and the death toll rose to 26,632, the health department bulletin said. The fresh cases emerged from 1,804 tests conducted the previous day, it said.
Maharashtra recorded 177 new Covid cases on Monday, a significant drop from the 425 new cases recorded a day earlier, taking the state’s tally to 8166068. The active tally in the state is 3932 cases as of Monday, a health department statement said. A Covid patient died in Solapur district, taking the state death toll so far to 1,48,515.
Mumbai recorded 61 new cases on Monday. The state on Sunday recorded 425 COVID-19 cases, including 105 in Mumbai. The case fatality rate in Maharashtra is 1.81 per cent, the statement said. “Since 1st Jan 2023, 97 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded. 73.2% of these deaths have occurred in individuals above 60 years of age, 88% of the deceased had comorbidities, 12% did not have any comorbidity,” the statement said.
The COVID-19 tally in Nashik reached 4,83,023 on Monday with the detection of 22 cases, while the death toll stood unchanged at 8,904, a health official said. The recovery count increased by 11 to touch 4,74,046, leaving the district with an active caseload of 73, he said.
The active COVID-19 caseload in Jharkhand rose to 480 as 21 more people tested positive for the infection and 17 were cured of the disease in the last 24 hours, a health department bulletin said. East Singhbhum district registered the highest number of fresh cases at 15, followed by Ranchi at five and Ramgarh at one.
The fresh infections pushed the total tally in the state to 4,43,639. The toll remained unchanged at 5,333 as no new fatality was reported since Sunday, the bulletin said. Jharkhand has tested 1,983 samples for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, it added.
The United States announced that the Covid vaccine requirement for international travellers will end on May 11, the White House said in the statement adding that on the same day, the COVID-19 public health emergency will also end.
In a statement, the White House said, "Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends."
The United States Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that they will start the process to end their vaccination requirements for Head Start educators, CMS-certified healthcare facilities, and certain noncitizens at the land border. In the coming days, further details related to ending these requirements will be provided.
The active COVID-19 caseload in Jharkhand rose to 480 as 21 more people tested positive for the infection and 17 were cured of the disease in the last 24 hours, a health department bulletin said. East Singhbhum district registered the highest number of fresh cases at 15, followed by Ranchi at five and Ramgarh at one.
The fresh infections pushed the total tally in the state to 4,43,639. The toll remained unchanged at 5,333 as no new fatality was reported since Sunday
India logged 4,282 fresh Covid-19 cases along with 6,037 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The active caseload for the nation now stands at 47,246.
Lucknow has reported the highest Covid-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh with 64 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours, health officials said. As many as 69 patients recovered on Sunday, taking the number of active Covid cases under treatment in Lucknow to 514. The test positivity rate in the state is 1.63.
One Covid-positive patient died in Lakhimpur Kheri district on Sunday while 352 others tested positive in Uttar Pradesh, according to the health department data.
Delhi reported 405 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 11.2 per cent, and three Covid-related deaths on Sunday, according to data shared by the city government's health department. With the fresh cases and fatalities, the national capital's caseload climbed to 20,38,722 and the death toll rose to 26,630, the health department bulletin said.
Patients who contracted Covid-19 but did not require hospitalisation were more likely to experience financial challenges, as compared with a comparison group of individuals whose financial outcomes were measured before getting Covid-19 infection, a new study has shown. According to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, Covid patients who required hospital care had the highest rates of serious financial issues after their illness.
The study analysed data from over 1,32,000 individuals, providing only a limited snapshot of their financial health six months before or after experiencing a Covid illness. After adjusting for differences among patients, 42 per cent of the patients hospitalised for Covidinfection had a low credit score six months after their hospital stay, compared with 3 per cent of a similar group of people who hadn't yet required a hospital stay for Covid-19 but went on to need one later. Similarly, 27 per cent of the patients who had been hospitalised ended up having medical debt sent to collections agencies, compared with 19 per cent of the comparison group; the gap for non-hospitalised patients was small but still significant.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme helped in motivating people, enabling India to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and making the cleanliness drive a public campaign. Speaking at a programme organised at the Raj Bhawan in Bhopal ahead of the broadcast of the 100th episode of the PM's radio address, Patel said Modi has made a place in the people's hearts. The governor said whatever the prime minister says during 'Mann ki Baat' has become people's “Dil ki Baat”.
PM Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' has enabled India and the people to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured the success of the 'Janata Curfew' and the vaccination drives against the viral infection, he said.
India on Sunday logged 5,874 fresh Covid-19 cases and 8,148 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The active caseload of the nation now stands at 49,015.
Four Covid-19 deaths have been reported from Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours, including one each from Lucknow, Meerut, Agra, and Sultanpur. As many as 462 people tested positive across the state, including 59 from Lucknow however, 716 patients recovered across the state.
The previous Covid death in Lucknow was reported on April 18 when a 46-year-old woman admitted to King George's Medical University died, reported IANS.
Delhi reported 564 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 14.93 per cent, and one Covid-related fatality on Saturday. With the fresh cases and fatalities, the national capital's caseload climbed to 20,38,317 and the death toll rose to 26,627.
India records 7,171 new cases in 24 hours; Active caseload at 51,314, as reported by ANI.
Japan will end its COVID-19 border controls for all people arriving in the country on Saturday, with an influx of travellers expected during the Golden Week string of holidays, the government said Friday. Currently, visitors to Japan are required to present certification proving they've had at least three vaccinations or evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, Xinhua news agency reported.
But Japan's top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, told a news conference that these prerequisites to enter the country will no longer be required for people arriving from Saturday onwards.
Delhi reported seven Covid-related fatalities for the second consecutive day on Thursday and registered 865 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 16.9 per cent, according to data shared by the city government's health department. On Wednesday too, the city had reported seven fatalities, the highest so far this year.
According to the Delhi government's health bulletin, the overall Covid tally has increased to 20,37,061, while the death toll rose to 26,620. The national capital's active caseload presently stands at 4,279. Of these, 3,143 patients are in home isolation, it said. On a positive note, only 296 of the 7,974 Covid beds in the national capital are occupied at present, the data showed.
As many as 510 fresh Covid cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday whereas one patient from Jaunpur succumbed to the infection, taking the toll to 23,676 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, health officials said. With the fresh cases, the test positivity rate in the state stood at 1.5 percent, as per the health department's data.
Meanwhile, 830 patients have recovered from the infection during the past 24 hours. The number of active cases has surged to 3,550 in the state. Lucknow recorded 66 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours, taking the active cases count to 647 in the state capital. However, 121 patients recovered from the disease in the past 24 hours. Health officials said no hospitalisation has been reported so far.
Of the fresh infections, the highest 14 cases were reported from Chinhat community health centre (CHC), followed by seven from Red Cross CHC, five cases each from Aliganj, N K Road, and Sarojini Nagar CHCs, and four cases each from Alambagh and Indira Nagar CHCs. The remaining cases were reported from different areas across the city.
India records 7,533 new cases in 24 hours; Active caseload at 53,852, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Uttar Pradesh reported 627 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, with one death recorded in Bulandshahr. The test positivity rate in the state stood at 1.63 per cent, according to the health department's data. In the past 48 hours, 87,000 Covid samples were tested in the state. During the day, Lucknow reported 120 new Covid cases and the number of active cases under treatment went up to 717.
9,355 new cases recorded in India in the last 24 hours; Active cases stand at 57,410, as reported by ANI.
Over 270 Covid-19 subvariants have emerged in China within a week, the NTD reported, adding that the country's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention made the announcement last week. On Saturday last, China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention announced that over 275 new Covid-19 subvariants were detected in the country within 7 days.
The Epoch Times reported that the Chinese authorities have discovered these new sub-variants from April 14 to 20. The Chinese media reported that residents are posting their positive results online revealing that many are getting re-infected.
China's Covid ambitions, to hide crucial data and avoid blame, could not have been accomplished without Western academics eagerly playing the useful idiot for Beijing, The New York Post has claimed in a report, as reported by the news agency ANI.
The report stated "Chinese scientists have withheld data, withdrawn genetic sequences from public databases and altered crucial details in journal submissions" while "Western journal editors enabled those efforts", and the World Health Organization just let all of it happen.
Delhi reported 1,040 new cases, 1,320 recoveries and 7 deaths in the last 24 hours.
As many as 784 new cases and one death were reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of active cases stand at 5,233.
Odisha on Wednesday reported 542 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since August last year, pushing the tally to 13,43,202, a health department official said. One more death due to the virus took the toll to 9,209, the official said.
The surge in new cases is considered as significant as it breached the 500 mark in a single day. Of the total of 7,571 samples tested in the state, 542 tested positive taking the test positivity rate to 7.1 per cent. The state now has 3,270 active COVID-19 cases, according to data shared by the state health department.
India on Wednesday logged 9,629 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The active case tally for the nation now stands at 61,013.
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 722 fresh COVID-19 cases and three fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 81,62,842 and the death toll to 1,48,507, the state health department said. The fresh cases rose thrice compared to Monday when 226 infections were recorded in the state. No COVID-19 fatality was recorded a day before.
The active tally of cases in Maharashtra now stands at 5,549.
Odisha logged 393 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours and the active case tally in the state stands at 3,086. The new cases were reported from 24 out of 30 districts of Odisha. The highest viz. 125 new cases were reported from Sundergarh district, followed by Sambalpur (71), Cuttack (65), Mayurbhanj (28), Khurda (27), and Bolangir (21). Out of the 24 districts, 18 districts have reported single-digit cases. On Sunday, the state reported 502 cases. Meanwhile, the state government has made wearing face masks mandatory in all health institutions and close door gathering places.
India logged 6,660 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the death toll increased by 24 and now stands at 5,31,369. The active case tally for the nation stands at 63,380.
The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 3.52 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 5.42 per cent. The active cases now comprise 0.14 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.67 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,43, 11,078 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore.
The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, present in 33 countries, is making a fresh surge in Covid infections as well as deaths in Italy, the US, the UK, Vietnam, and other nations, including India. According to the Italian Ministry of Health, the country recorded 27,982 new positive cases during April 14 and 20, compared to the previous week (21,779). The number of deaths also increased by 48.1 per cent, totalling 191, compared to the previous week (129). Latest estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the subvariant XBB.1.16 accounts for 9.6 per cent of new infections this week - up from nearly 6 per cent of cases the week before and about 3 per cent two weeks prior.
WHO said, "However, XBB.1.16 may become dominant in some countries and cause a rise in case incidence due to its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics."
Delhi has reported 689 new cases, 1,253 recoveries, and 3 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases were pegged at 5,011, while the daily positivity rate rose to 29.42%.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea seeking a probe into the killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf on Friday due to the unavailability of five judges as they are suffering from Covid-19. The plea sought a direction for setting up of an expert committee headed by a former apex court judge to investigate the April 15 killings. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, during the mentioning of cases, informed the lawyers that five judges of the apex court are suffering from Covid. "Since five judges are not available, some cases in which dates were given have not been listed. We will try to list this on Friday," he said.
A total of 240 people have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus infection in Lucknow in the past 48 hours, taking the active caseload count to 896. Of these, 141 tested positive on Saturday and 99 on Sunday, reported IANS. Four patients have been hospitalised due to their health conditions, while others are recuperating in home isolation. With this, the number of hospitalised patients has reached 17 at KGMU, Lokbandhu, and SGPGIMS.
India on Monday recorded 7,178 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the tally for active cases now stands at 65,683.
India on Monday recorded 7,178 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the tally for active cases now stands at 65,683.
Amid the recent rise in Covid-19 cases in India, driven by the subvariant of Omicron XBB.1.16, there has been an increase in the risk of conjunctivitis among children aged below one year, according to a study, not yet peer-reviewed. The study, led by Vipin M. Vashishtha, a member of WHO's Vaccine Safety Net, is based on 25 children seen in OPD of a paediatric hospital in Uttar Pradesh between April 4-16. "Our preliminary findings show a higher involvement of young infants than older children and mild respiratory illness predominates other presentations," Vashishtha, who is also a consultant paediatrician at the Mangla Hospital and Research Centre in Bijnor, UP, wrote in the study.
"One interesting finding was the presence of itchy, non-purulent conjunctivitis with mucoid discharge and stickiness of eyelids in 42.8 per cent of positive infants," he added.
Mumbai reported 141 new cases of Covid-19 and one infection-related death on Sunday. The addition of the new cases took the complete count of diseases in the city to 11,61,887, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a health bulletin.
The number of daily coronavirus cases in the city has recently increased abruptly. There was a significant drop in the number of daily cases of Covid-19 in Mumbai on Sunday. The city's death toll stood at 19,761 as of April 23, according to the health bulletin.
On Sunday, there were more recoveries from Covid 19 than new cases. It reported 598 new cases and 863 recoveries on Sunday. There were no deaths reported. State-wide active cases have decreased to 5,382. No casualty was accounted for the third sequential day.
According to a bulletin from the state health department, there were 545 new cases of Covid-19 and two deaths attributed to the virus in Maharashtra on Sunday.
According to the bulletin, the total number of infections rose to 81,61,894. Maharashtra presently has a case casualty rate in the state of 1.81 percent, the release said. According to the bulletin, the state health department currently has 6,055 active cases.
According to information provided by the Health Department, there were 948 new Covid infections and two fatalities in Delhi on Sunday, with a 25.69 percent case positivity rate.
With the new fatalities, the loss of life from the pandemic rose to 26,597 in the national capital. The total number of cases is 20,33,372.
Delhi on Saturday logged 1,515 COVID-19 infections and six fatalities with a case positivity rate of 26.46, according to data shared by the health department. With the new fatalities, the death toll from the pandemic rose to 26,595 in the national capital, while the case tally is 20,32,424.
India saw a slight decrease in new cases reported in the last 24 hours as the country logged 10,112 new cases, meanwhile, the number of recoveries stood at 9,833 recoveries. The active caseload stands at 67,806, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. The death toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 5,31,329 with 22 deaths, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.
Karnataka registered 537 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours, the state health department said on Saturday. As per official statistics, 15 persons have died in the last 15 days in the state.
Sources in the health department said the situation is turning "serious" and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
The number of active cases in the state stands at 2,027.
The positivity rate for the day is 3.06 per cent and the weekly total positive rate is 3.52 per cent.
India logged 12,193 fresh Covid-19 cases on Saturday. The number of active cases in the country now stands at 67,556 while the death toll increased by 42 and now stands at 5,31,300.
Maharashtra on Friday reported 993 COVID-19 cases and five deaths, which took the tally to 81,60,499 and the toll to 1,48,497, a health official said. A state health department bulletin said the XBB.1.16 is the dominant variant of Omicron that was driving the case surge in the state. So far, 681 cases caused by this variant have been detected, and five people have succumbed.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary (Health) of eight States/UTs (Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Rajasthan) on strengthening Covid surveillance.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday said that most of the coronavirus-related deaths were caused by comorbidities and Covid was incidental.
The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a proposal seeking amendments to the Atal Residential School Scheme to help children affected by Covid-19. The Atal Residential School Scheme aims to provide quality and free education to children of poor labourers, according to a government press release.
IANS quoted an official as saying, "Now, children who have lost one or both their parents during the Covid-19 pandemic will also be able to benefit. The Women's Welfare Department will make available the list of such children to us. Under the scheme, free quality residential education from Class 6 to 12 will be made available."
He added, "The state government will make the payment of expenses related to destitute children and children eligible for the Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana (general) to the Atal Residential School Committee, through which funds will be provided to the schools. For this, the Atal Residential School Committee will have to operate a separate account. Under the scheme, the same rule was prescribed earlier for orphans as well, but now the names of destitute children and children eligible for Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana have been added."
India has recorded 11,692 new coronavirus infections, and 28 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Active cases have increased to 66,170 and it comprises 0.15 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.67 per cent. The death toll stood at 5,31,258. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.48 crore (4,48,69,684).
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,42,72,256, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent.
India is home to about 2.7 million of the world's zero-dose children despite it being among only three countries out of 55 where the perception of the importance of vaccines held firm or improved after COVID-19, according to UNICEF. Zero-dose children are those who have not received a single routine vaccine. The UNICEF's 'The State of the World's Children - 2023' report said zero-dose children account for a relatively modest share of Indian children. Vivek Virendra Singh, a UNICEF health specialist, told PTI that 50 per cent of India's zero-dose children are from 143 districts in 11 states. The unvaccinated population can pose a risk in the future because of their lower immunity levels, he said.
Considering the surge in COVID-19 cases, Delhi High Court on Thursday made it mandatory for lawyers, litigants, and its staff members to wear face masks on the premises and follow appropriate protocol. As per a circular issued by Registrar General Ravinder Dudeja, the Chief Justice ordered that due to a surge in the COVID-19 cases in the NCT (National Capital Territory) of Delhi, in order to contain and combat the spread of COVID-19 cases, all the concerned ie staff working in this court and members of the bar, including their staff and the litigants, are hereby directed to make use of face masks at all times in the premises of this court as a matter of caution, not to gather in large number at common areas, waiting areas of court blocks as far as possible and follow appropriate Covid protocols in letter and spirit to avoid any further spread of the virus.
Delhi on Thursday logged 1,603 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 26.75 per cent along with three fatalities, according to data shared by the health department here. With the new fatalities, the death toll from the pandemic rose to 26,581 in the national capital, while the case tally rose to 20,29,151.
Haryana on Thursday reported 1,059 fresh infections, nearly half of them from the Gurugram district, while three coronavirus-related deaths were registered in Kurukshetra, Fatehabad, and Nuh districts, according to the state health department's bulletin. Out of total fresh Covid infections, Gurugram reported 513 cases followed by 108 in Faridabad and 87 in Panchkula. Among other Haryana districts, 52 cases each were reported from Karnal and Ambala districts, the bulletin said. The number of active cases stands at 5,099 in Haryana.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday and is currently under home quarantine.
"He was scheduled to attend the Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on Thursday but will skip it after being tested positive for the virus," an official statement read.
Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded 1,100 new coronavirus infections and four fatalities, the health department said in a bulletin. The state has 6,102 active cases now.
Mumbai recorded 234 cases and one fatality on Wednesday.
India on Thursday breached the 12,000 mark and reported 12,591 fresh infections of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours taking the total tally of active cases to 65,289, as per the data shared by the health ministry.
People arriving in Tripura from states that have reported a high positivity rate will have to undergo a mandatory COVID test, a senior health official said on Wednesday. These states are Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu
PTI quoted an official as saying, "All domestic incoming passengers from the states with high COVID-positivity rate shall have to be mandatorily tested on their arrival at the airport, railway stations, and the Churaibari check gate."
Wearing masks in hospitals has been made a must and screenings will also be conducted at all public places.
A Covid-19 positive senior citizen died at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, taking the number of deaths in West Bengal due to the virus to three in 24 days. According to state health department sources, Mantu Ram Bor (79) was admitted to the state-run Infection Disease (ID) Hospital in North Kolkata for quite some time. He had co-morbidities and passed away on Tuesday.
India registered 10,542 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours on Wednesday and the active caseload surged past 63,000.
Terming the situation more or less under control, in the wake of the rising graph of the Covid-19 situation throughout the country, the West Bengal Health Department on Tuesday issued an advisory advising people to go for maximum use of face masks at public places. "Crowd or mass gatherings to be avoided as far as possible, especially by the elderly, children, pregnant women, and persons with co-morbidities. If compelled to enter into a crowd or travel in mass transit, please use proper masks irrespective of age," the advisory read.
It also that if anyone is detected Covid-19 positive, they should stay in home isolation for at least a week. "If your symptoms aggravate or you start feeling short of breath (or oxygen keeps falling), report to a hospital or doctor immediately," the advisory read. It also said that if a young child or person at higher risk turns Covid-19 positive, the person concerned must be taken to a hospital or doctor without any delay, reported IANS.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have found that redesigning air conditioning systems used in commercial buildings to increase the ventilation rate can limit the spread of COVID-19 in indoor spaces as it reduces the residence time of pathogens. According to Amit Gupta, a professor at IIT Delhi, the study found that the residence time of aerosol reduces considerably with an increase in the ventilation rate. "The ventilation rate is an indicator of the rate at which fresh air is brought into an indoor space. Typically, it is represented by air changes per hour (ACH). The role of a high ventilation rate in reducing the spread of the pathogen is crucial. It is observed that an increase in ventilation rate not only decreases the residence time of virus and radial zone of high infectiousness, it also reduces the number of susceptible people in the enclosed space," Gupta told PTI.
He further added, "This aspect is crucial in the case of the breakdown of another pandemic. In such a scenario, the easiest method to mitigate the spread of the virus is to increase the ventilation rate inside the enclosed space and hence the air conditioning system in commercial buildings can be redesigned accordingly."
From 932 cases on March 30 to 4,976 on April 17, active coronavirus cases in Delhi have registered a jump of more than 430 per cent in nearly three weeks, according to official data. Delhi has reported more than 13,200 cases of COVID-19 in the past 19 days. Though Delhi has seen a spike in coronavirus cases in the recent past, hospitalisation remains low. Experts have maintained that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get booster shots of vaccines.
Mumbai on Tuesday reported 220 new COVID-19 cases, crossing the 200-mark after a gap of two days, taking the overall tally to 11,60,902, while no fresh death linked to the infection was registered in the metropolis. A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) bulletin said the death toll remained unchanged at 19,754. On Monday, the city had registered 131 cases, while the daily tally was 181 on Sunday.
According to the bulletin, the number of recoveries rose to 11,39,471 after 242 patients recuperated from respiratory illness in the last 24 hours, leaving the metropolis with an active caseload of 1,677.
The national capital continued to see a surge in Covid cases as Delhi reported 1,537 fresh infections in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stands at 26.54%. Two deaths have been reported where the primary cause is Covid.
The national capital continued to see a surge in Covid cases as Delhi reported 1,537 fresh infections in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stands at 26.54%. Two deaths have been reported where the primary cause is Covid.
People living with long Covid who suffer from loss of smell show different patterns of activity in certain regions of the brain, a new study has found. The research from University College London used MRI scanning to compare the brain activity of people with long Covid who lost their sense of smell, those whose smell had returned to normal after Covid infection, and people who had never tested positive for Covid-19, reported PTI.
Union minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. In a tweet on Monday, he said his Covid report has come positive. He wrote, "I request those who came in contact with me in last few days to take precaution and get their Covid test done."
Tamil Nadu logged 521 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours and a test positivity rate (TPR) of 8.6 per cent. The total number of active cases in Tamil Nadu stands at 3,330. The state public health department has issued an alert to all the district health officers. Except for Kallakurichi, Thiruvarur, and Tirupattur, all other districts recorded fresh Covid cases. There were 140 new Covid cases in Chennai, 45 in Coimbatore, 44 in Kanyakumari, and 31 in Tiruchi districts of Tamil Nadu. Ten districts reported new cases between 10 and 25 and 21 other districts reported cases in single digits, reported PTI.
One passenger each from UAE, Singapore, Qatar, and Oman tested Covid-19 positive.
With 308 fresh Covid cases being recorded in Bengaluru in the last 24 hours, the authorities are concerned with the surge in the number. The surge has been reported in the Bengaluru Urban district. There are 1,207 active cases in the city. The 308 fresh cases in Bengaluru are the second highest this year.
As the state in poll mode and voting is scheduled for May 10, the situation in Bengaluru in connection with rising Covid cases is worrying the authorities. Sources in the health department reveal that this is the time to implement Covid guidelines and strict measures, reported PTI.
India has recorded 7,633 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 61,233, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,152 with 11 deaths. While four deaths were reported from Delhi, one each was reported from Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab while four fatalities were reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,48,34,859) The active cases now comprise 0.14 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.68 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,42,42,474 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent
Mortality from Covid-19 in people with intellectual disabilities is five times higher than in the general population, according to a study. Intellectual disability is a term used when there are limits to a person's ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life.
Haryana on Monday reported 898 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death, according to a health department bulletin. More than half of the fresh cases were reported from Gurugram district, while the death was reported from Panchkula, it said. Gurugram reported 461 cases, Faridabad 134, Yamunanagar 47, Karnal 43, Panchkula 35, Sonipat 23, Rohtak 20 and Panipat 19. With the addition of the fresh infections, Haryana's active COVID-19 caseload stands at 4,339, reported PTI.
Maharashtra on Monday reported 505 Covid-19 cases, which took the tally to 81,56,344, while the death toll stood unchanged at 1,48,479. On Sunday, Maharashtra had reported 650 cases and two fatalities. Mumbai led with 262 cases, followed by 90 in Pune.
Delhi logged 1,017 new Covid cases and four deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the health bulletin released on Monday. The positivity rate has soared to 32.25 per cent.
India has recorded 9,111 new coronavirus infections, while active cases have increased to 60,313, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll has increased to 5,31,141 with 27 deaths.
While six deaths were reported from Gujarat, four were from Uttar Pradesh, three each from Delhi and Rajasthan, two from Maharashtra, one each from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,48,27,226).
The daily positivity was recorded at 8.40 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 4.94 per cent.
In the last 24 hours, India reported 27 Covid-19 deaths, the highest single-day fatalities in the past six months, according to official figures issued by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday, as reported by IANS. The last time India recorded 20 or more Covid deaths was on October 15, 2022. The country's overall death toll has now increased to 5,31,091.
India has reported 10,753 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours as the active caseload stood at 53,720 on Saturday morning, as per the Union Health Ministry.
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra has tested positive for COVID-19, the Raj Bhavan said in a tweet on Friday. "Mishra's test report is positive," Raj Bhavan said and suggested that those who came into contact with him recently get themselves tested and follow Covid guidelines. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also tested positive for COVID-19 on April 4.
Maharashtra continued to report over 1,000 Covid cases on Friday. The state logged 1,152 new cases along with four deaths in the past 24 hours. Active cases stand at 5,928.
In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the Gautam Buddha Nagar administration has decided to make wearing masks mandatory in public places. According to an order issued by the administration, wearing masks in public places will now be mandatory in Noida and other parts of the Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
As per a study published in British Medical Journal, people who suffer from mild Covid-19 infection could be at risk of sudden deafness and hearing loss. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) also known as sudden deafness is a little-known and poorly understood side effect of Covid-19 that is not even listed as a common symptom by doctors, said Kim Gibson, a fully vaccinated nursing lecturer at the University of South Australia.
Gibson, a registered nurse with a clinical background in neonatal intensive care, developed acute hearing loss in one ear, along with vertigo and tinnitus five weeks after experiencing a mild Covid infection in 2022.
A study of hearing loss during the pandemic showed that approximately one-third of patients with SSNHL were positive for Covid-19 when they were referred to an audiologist. Other studies reported an increase in SSNHL in 2020 and 2021, including among asymptomatic people.
India reported 11,109 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the tally for total active cases in the nation stands at 49,622.
The fresh Covid-19 cases, reported in Uttar Pradesh touched a new high with 575, the highest in a single day this year, officials said on Friday. The active number of Covid cases crossed the 2,000 mark in the state.
Uttar Pradesh now has 2,094 active Covid cases. The state has till now reported 21,32,058 cases and 23,653 deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020, reported IANS.
With 427 new cases getting reported in the last 24 hours, the active caseload of Gurugram increased to 1,385, as per the official health bulletin released on Thursday. The overall Covid tally in Gurugram has now risen to 3,04,311, of which 3,01,894 patients have been cured and discharged, including 204 on Thursday.
Amid a rise in Covid cases, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Health Department on Thursday issued a set of recommendations that includes practising social distancing and use of face masks at offices, schools, colleges, shopping malls, hospitals, among other public places.
For workplaces, the guidelines recommend the use of sanitisers, proper cleaning of offices, thermal temperature scanners at office entries, and work-from-home option for employees showing signs of cold, cough, fever, and flu and suggested Covid test for them.
"We are fully prepared for Covid, there is nothing to worry about. All district hospitals and Covid dedicated hospitals have been alerted. We have also organised mock drills. Elderly and sick people have been advised to prohibit going out without masks, said Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak on increase in Covid-19 cases.
India logs 10,158 new Covid 19 cases in last 24 hours. While the active caseload stands at 44,998
Six people, including a doctor and an IIT professor have been found Covid positive in Kanpur, whihc now takes the total number of active coronavirus cases to 21 in the city.
In view of rising Covid-19 cases and to prevent a fresh outbreak of the disease, AIIMS Delhi has made wearing of masks compulsory for all hospital staff.
"Must use reusable cloth face cover /surgical mask in the workplace. Ensure proper cleaning and frequent sanitation of the workplace, particularly of the frequent touched surfaces," reads the advisory.
The national capital Delhi recorded 1,149 Covid 19 cases, 677 recoveries on Wednesday. According to the health ministry data 1 death was also reported, while the positivity rate stood at 23.8 percent.
Maharashtra reports 1115 new Covid cases, 560 recoveries and 9 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active caseload now 5421.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister held a high-level meeting on the Covid-19 situation in the state and made wearing of masks mandatory in all hospitals.
“It is necessary to adopt Covid friendly behavior. Dedicated Covid hospitals should be functional in every district immediately. Health security of every person should be ensured during the municipal elections. The situation is under control”, the chief minister said.
The state's covid positivity rate stands at 0.65 per cent.
Lucknow District Administration issues a new guideline of Covid-19 protocols to be followed in wake of rise in cases.
Covid in India moving towards endemic stage, cases may rise for next 10-12 days and subside thereafter. Even though Covid cases rising, hospitalisation is low; current surge driven by Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16, according to official sources.
India reports 7,830 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative active caseload to 40,215.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the parliamentary forum on Indian affairs in Uganda on Tuesday said, "Despite Covid, I want to say that the commitments PM Modi made in Uganda & at the India-Africa summit, we are on it. We provided educational & skill access to 50,000 youth from Africa."
Haryana's Gurugram district administration on Tuesday made it mandatory for the general public to wear face masks at all public places, government offices, malls, private offices etc, where there is a gathering of more than 100 people. According to the administration officials, this decision was taken as a precautionary measure against the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Gurugram over the past few weeks, reported IANS.
Long Covid patients are likely to suffer from persistent psychiatric symptoms, like anxiety and depression, according to an Indonesian study. As per the study, anxiety was the most prevalent symptom in participants with long Covid, followed by depression, sleep difficulties, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Meanwhile, cognitive deficits, obsessive-compulsive and somatic symptoms were the least reported.
Sleep difficulties, poor sleep quality, and insomnia were also commonly seen. Women and those with a history of psychiatric diagnoses were at greater risk for these symptoms. In addition to being female, obesity was also one of the risk factors for sleep difficulties, reported PTI.
Prolonged symptoms of Covid-19 have been found in many patients, often known as long Covid. Psychiatric symptoms are commonly seen in long Covid patients and could last for weeks, even months, after recovery. However, the symptoms and risk factors associated with it remain unclear.
Mumbai on Tuesday logged 242 new COVID-19 cases, a sharp jump from 95 the previous day. This addition in cases takes the overall tally to 11,59,225. No fresh death linked to the infection was registered in the metropolis, said the local civic body.
The death toll remained unchanged at 19,750, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
The active caseload rose to 1,478 and out of 4,359 hospital beds earmarked for coronavirus patients, only 110 are currently occupied, a BMC bulletin said.
Delhi logged 980 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest since August 20, with a positivity rate of 25.98 per cent. The data recorded suggests that one in every four people tested returned a positive result, according to data shared by the city government's health department. The national capital also reported two more Covid deaths, the bulletin said. However, it added that COVID-19 was not the primary cause of death in one of the fatalities, while the case sheet on the other death was awaited.
The fresh cases emerged out of the 3,772 tests conducted the previous day.
5,676 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in India in the last 24 hours; Active caseload rises to 37,093, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Lucknow has reported 61 new Covid cases in a day, while Uttar Pradesh registered a total of 176 fresh infections in the same period, according to official data. With Monday's fresh surge, the number of active cases in the state has shot up to 1,282.
Gautam Buddha Nagar has 302 active cases, followed by 273 in Lucknow, 164 in Ghaziabad, 53 in Varanasi and 23 in Prayagraj. Among the new cases reported in Lucknow, 14 came from Chinhat, nine from Indira Nagar, eight from Aliganj, seven from NK Road, four from Tudiyaganj and three from Sarojini Nagar. Seven patients are getting treated at Covid health facilities in the state capital, health officials said.
Nagaland on Monday reported two fresh COVID-19 cases, a health official said. Both the infections were detected in Wokha district, he said. A case was registered in Kohima on April 6, but the patient recovered on April 9, he said. Nagaland now has two active but asymptomatic patients, he said.
The COVID-19 tally now stands at 35,991, of whom 33,690 have recovered, while 782 patients have died and 1,517 have migrated to other states, he said. The state has so far tested over 4.89 lakh samples for COVID-19.
US President Joe Biden on Monday signaled a bill ending the Covid-19 national emergency more than three years after it went into effect. The new law immediately ends the national emergency and public health emergency which was first enacted during the Trump government and was continued through the Biden administration.
The number of active cases in Noida crossed 300 for the first time in 2023. According to the health department's update, 31 new patients tested positive for Covid-19 in a 24-hour period, taking the number of active cases to 302. Of these, only 11 are admitted in hospitals, the update showed.
Mumbai on Monday logged 95 new Covid-19 cases, a drop from more than 200 infections registered daily in the last six days. One more patient succumbed to the infection, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a bulletin.
Delhi reported 484 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, as per the latest health bulletin released on Monday. The positivity rate stands at 26.58 per cent.
Wearing masks has been made mandatory in all BMC hospitals in Mumbai from April 11. An appeal will also be made to all BMC employees to wear masks. Citizens above 65 years of age will also be urged to wear masks. Today, BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal held a meeting regarding Covid in which this decision has been taken.
The Indian Medical Association says "the reasons behind the recent Covid surge in our country may be the relaxation of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, low testing rate, and the emergence of a new variant of Covid."
Delhi health minister Saurabh Bhardwaj says covid cases will increase in the national capital in the coming days since it is a densely populated state with flu and influenza-like symptoms.
Out of 4 deaths that took place in Delhi yesterday due to Corona, 3 died due to different diseases combined with Corona. I believe that Corona cases will increase in Delhi in the coming days as its densely populated, says Bhardwaj.
Along with daily cases, the daily and weekly positivity rates are also witnessing an uptick in the country. On April 5, the daily positivity rate was at 3.38 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was at 2.79 per cent which increased to 6.91 per cent and 3.67 per cent in respectively today, April 10.
5,880 new cases recorded in India in the last 24 hours; Active caseload rises to 35,199
According to data shared by the city government's health department on Sunday, there were 699 new COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 21.15 percent.
In the city, four people died from COVID-19. However, according to the health bulletin, COVID-19 was the primary cause of death in only one case. With the new cases, Delhi's COVID-19 tally now stands at 20,14,637. According to the bulletin, the death toll now stands at 26,540.
READ MORE: Delhi Logs 699 Fresh Covid cases, Maha Registers 788
Himachal Pradesh recorded four Covid-related deaths on Sunday, bringing the state's total to 4,204, according to health department officials. In addition, the state reported 137 new COVID-19 cases. It currently has 1,764 active cases, they said.
According to officials, three people died from the virus in Shimla on Sunday, while one person died in the Sirmaur district.
They also stated that the deceased were all males between the ages of 50 and 81. (PTI Input)
Rajasthan recorded 165 new Covid cases and one more death due to the disease on Sunday, officials said.
According to a health department notice, one person died from the disease in Dausa, bringing the state death toll to 9,667.
There are 651 current cases in the state, with nine persons recovering from the infection, according to the report. (PTI Input)
Maharashtra reports In the last 24 hours, 788 new Covid cases have been reported, with one death. The number of active cases is 4587.
There has been a rising spate of heart attacks in India, particularly post Covid-19 pandemic. While some blame vaccines for triggering heart issues, health experts have allayed such fears, citing no evidence to prove that vaccines can cause heart attacks. According to the Global Burden of Disease, nearly a quarter (24.8 per cent) of all deaths in India is due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Recent reports showed many young celebrities, artistes, athletes, sportspersons -- who usually remain fit and have no history of CVD -- face heart attacks, while some also succumbed to it. "The increase in heart attacks is best explained by the fact that almost everyone has had Covid, some people multiple times," Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean, Biosciences and Health Research, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, told IANS.
"The risk of cardiovascular complications including heart attacks, is increased in individuals who have acute Covid 19," added Dr Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, George Institute India. Several studies have added evidence that Covid infection is behind the rising heart attacks. Research has shown that Covid has the potential to unmask silent cardiac symptoms among people with previously undiagnosed heart disease.
Decreasing levels of immunity in our population may trigger new Covid waves and to tackle this, India needs a strong disease surveillance along with high vaccine coverage, WHO Regional Director, South-East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has stressed, as reported by IANS. India is currently seeing a surge in Covid cases, to levels last seen during the Omicron wave in early 2022.
The rising cases of Covid 19 are becoming scary in Bihar with active cases reaching 76 on Saturday. The authorities have registered 20 fresh cases in the last 24 hours. Moreover, the side effects of corona are also appearing in the hospitals apart from the threat of the H3N2 influenza virus.
On Friday, Bihar registered its first casualty this year due to Covid infection in Gaya district. The 70-year-old patient who suffered from breathing problems was admitted to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical Gaya three days ago, and died on Friday night. The symptoms of uneasiness in breathing are appearing in a majority of the cases in Bihar.
Continuing the surge in Covid cases, the total count of cases in Uttar Pradesh has gone up to 1,025. 188 new cases were reported on Saturday with 52 in Gautam Buddha Nagar, 27 in Ghaziabad, and 26 in Lucknow. In the state capital, four new cases each surfaced from Aliganj and Sarojini Nagar, three from Alambagh, and two from Chinhat. The number of active Covid cases in Lucknow has shot up to 177.
In Lucknow, eight Covid patients are admitted to different hospitals -- including four at the Lok Bandhu Hospital. At present, 60 districts have active Covid cases. Among them, a dozen districts have one case each and six districts have two cases each, according to the health department data.
With a notable spike in Covid-19 cases again, Haryana had reported 407 positive infections on a single day, and the positivity rate was 7.28 per cent, an alarmingly high, but hospitalisations remain low with 100 per cent cumulative coverage of the first dose of the vaccination, as reported by IANS.
While the recovery rate was 98.86 per cent, the fatality rate was at 1.01 per cent. The Covid-19 bulletin of Friday evening said 1,324 as the total active Covid-19 patients in the state. These include new 407 positive cases detected out of the total 6,367 samples tested. Talking about steps taken to contain the virus, state Health and Family Welfare Minister Anil Vij told IANS that all Covid-19 positive samples are being sent for whole genome sequencing.
Instructions have also been given regarding Covid-friendly behavior, including wearing masks by patients and healthcare workers in the hospital premises.
India recorded 5,357 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative number of active cases in the country to 32,814 as per the data by the health ministry.
A group of scientists in the US has identified an antibody that appears to block infection by all dominant variants of the virus that causes Covid-19, including Omicron. The discovery could lead to more potent vaccines and new antibody-based treatments.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, senior author Dr Patrick Wilson from Weill Cornell Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his colleagues, tested antibodies derived from patient blood samples against successive versions of the virus that emerged during the pandemic.
One of these proteins, dubbed S728-1157, proved highly effective at neutralising not only older variants but also seven subtypes of Omicron. The team also had researchers from Scripps Research and the University of Chicago.
"The pandemic is winding down, but the virus is around for the long haul. If not well controlled, it could cause annual epidemics," Dr Wilson said. "This antibody and the insight it provides could help us avoid yearly surges of Covid-19 or if there is another coronavirus pandemic." Dr. Wilson's group analysed antibody-producing cells to find those that latched on to the virus's spike protein, which it uses to get into human cells.
Another study author Dr Siriruk Changrob tested the antibodies they found against 12 variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the original version of the virus. One antibody, called S728-1157, stood out for its ability to interfere with Omicron. Their results suggest that S728-1157 could become the basis for a much-needed alternative to conventional antibody-based treatments. The research could also guide the design of new vaccines that rely on the spike protein to stimulate the production of antibodies, said the study.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday, after chairing a high-level Covid analysis meeting in the wake of increasing cases, stressed on taking caution, saying hospitals in the state will conduct a mock drill as per the directive of the Centre. George said that on Saturday, 1,801 fresh cases were recorded in the state.
"Districts like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kottayam are reporting more cases. Likewise, admission to hospitals of Covid patients are slowly increasing but the saving grace is of those, only 0.8 per cent of them require oxygen beds, while 1.2 per cent are admitted to intensive care unit," said George, as quoted by the news agency IANS.
"Directions have gone to all districts that in the wake of an increase in positive cases to beef up their Covid facilities according to 'Surge Plan'. A separate meeting of private health care providers will soon be called. All those who work in old age homes, care homes should wear N-95 masks," added George. She said extreme caution has to be taken by all those who have senior citizens in their homes.
"Senior citizens suffering from lifestyle diseases should ensure that they at all times, especially when they go out, wear masks. Pregnant women should also wear masks. Also, those who have to go out should ensure that they wear masks, and once they are back home, ensure that all Covid protocols are followed by using soap and sanitisers appropriately," said George.
Given the rise in Covid-19 cases across the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued a 'high-priority' directive, instructing officials concerned to ensure that international passengers are screened at all airports. The use of masks is now mandatory for all people at crowded places. As per an order issued by the state government, all samples that test positive for Covid should be sent for genome sequencing.
"Private and government labs should send all positive Covid samples to the microbiology department at King George's Medical University (KGMU) for whole genome sequencing," said the directive. The guideline issued by state secretary was sent to all divisional commissioners, district magistrates, chief medical officers, and other health officials across the state. The state government directive is in line with the guidelines issued by the Centre.
The state government order further states that the integrated Covid command centres should be activated, surveillance teams should be made active, rapid response teams should be sensitised, and 'nigrani samiti' should be formed at the district-level. Also, rapid response teams should visit the residence of Covid patients within 24-hours of the sample testing positive. At hospitals across the state, doctors and paramedical staff should be sensitised. Besides, the availability of equipment, medicine, and manpower should also be checked at hospitals.
Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases, the Haryana government made wearing face masks in public places mandatory, according to a bulletin issued by the Haryana Health Department on Saturday.
"It is intimated that in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Health Minister, Haryana on 03.04.2023, it was observed that there is a significant increase in the number of COVID cases with an increased positivity rate of COVID-19 infection in the State of Haryana over the past few weeks," according to the statement.
Delhi on Saturday reported 535 fresh Covid cases and no death in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stands at 23.05 per cent.
Maharashtra recorded 542 new cases of coronavirus infection and one fatality on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections to 81,49,141 and the death toll to 1,48,458, according to a state health department official.
Infections have decreased since Friday when the state reported 926 cases and three fatalities.
With 668 patients recovering from the infection in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries has reached 79,96,323, leaving the state with 4,360 active cases, according to the official.
According to the health department's bulletin, Mumbai recorded 207 cases on Saturday, the city's fifth consecutive day with 200 or more infections.
Himachal Pradesh recorded 258 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, and two more deaths in the Mandi and Sirmaur districts were reported as a result of the virus, news agency PTI reported citing officials.
According to them, the state's active caseload is currently 1,807 people.
The Coronavirus pandemic is completely under control in Andhra Pradesh with only 267 people exhibiting symptoms out of the total 15,096 people screened, state Health Minister Vidadala Rajini said.
Reflecting on the tests conducted in the last two weeks, the Minister stated that there was no reason to be concerned. (PTI Input)
Hospitals, polyclinics, and dispensaries in Delhi have been instructed by health department authorities to scale up testing amid an upward trend in COVID-19 cases here in the past several days, sources said on Saturday. More than 3,800 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the city during the March 30-April 7 period.
The department has instructed hospitals, polyclinics, and dispensaries in the city to increase Covid testing, news agency PTI reported sources said. “Authorities at these facilities have been told that anyone who visits such facilities and exhibits ILI (influenza-like illness) symptoms, such as fever, cough, body ache is to be tested as cases have risen and the daily count is growing steadily," PTI quoted a source as saying.
India records 6,155 new cases in 24 hours; the active case tally stands at 31,194, as reported by the news agency ANI.
With cases of covid infection increasing in the country, Bihar's first casualty happened this year in Gaya district, late on Friday night. "The deceased is a 70-year-old woman, a native of Makhdumpur village in Gaya district. She was admitted to Magadh medical college and hospital in Gaya three days ago after the complaint of uneasiness in breathing," said Dr Ranjan Kumar Singh, civil surgeon of Gaya, as quoted by IANS.
During the treatment, doctors conducted an RTPCR test where she turned out positice positive. We have initiated the process of cremation according to the Covid 19 protocols," he said. This is the first case of death due to corona in Gaya in the last 2 years.
Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta on Friday said that a mock drill for Covid-19 preparedness will be conducted in the State on April 10-11. The State Health Minister's statement came after participating in a meeting on Covid-19, chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
"Today Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting with the health ministers of all the states through Video conference. We requested him to issue SoP at the national level. The State government will also issue SoP soon," Gupta told ANI.
"On April 10-11, we will conduct a mock drill and on April 9 we will conduct a video conferencing meeting with all the District Collectorates (DCs), and all the senior health officials of the State to assess the covid preparedness," he added.
The latest preprint new study shows XBB.1.16 Omicron variant, which is behind the COVID surge in India and will also spread worldwide in the near future, has an effective reproductive number (Re) 1.27 and 1.17-fold higher respectively than XBB.1 & XBB.1.5, suggesting that XBB.1.16 will spread worldwide in the near future.
"At the end of March 2023, XBB.1.16, a SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB subvariant, emerged and was detected in various countries. Compared to XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 has two substitutions in the S protein: E180V is in the N-terminal domain, and T478K in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). We first show that XBB.1.16 had an effective reproductive number (Re) that was 1.27- and 1.17-fold higher than the parental XBB.1 and XBB.1.5, respectively, suggesting that XBB.1.16 will spread worldwide in the near future." the study stated.
"In fact, the WHO classified XBB.1.16 as a variant under monitoring on March 30, 2023. Neutralization assays demonstrated the robust resistance of XBB.1.16 to breakthrough infection sera of BA.2 (18-fold versus B.1.1) and BA.5 (37-fold versus B.1.1). We then used six clinically-available monoclonal antibodies and showed that only sotrovimab exhibits antiviral activity against XBB subvariants, including XBB.1.16. Our results suggest that, similar to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 is robustly resistant to a variety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies," it read further.
"Our multiscale investigations suggest that XBB.1.16 that XBB.1.16 has a greater growth advantage in the human population compared to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5, while the ability of XBB.1.16 to exhibit profound immune evasion is comparable to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5." it said.
Odisha on Friday registered 104 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 13,37,377, a health department official said. The cases were detected among 5,526 samples that were tested, he said. (PTI Input)
Delhi has recorded a surge in corona cases in the last 24 hours, with new cases exceeding 700, and the positivity rate has returned to nearly 20 per cent. 733 new cases in the last 24 hours, with a positivity rate of 19.93 per cent. In the last 24 hours, two patients died. (Input: Deepak Singh Rawat)
Himachal Pradesh registered 108 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday with a weekly positivity rate of 6.6, according to Health officials.
There are currently 1,933 active cases in the state, they claimed.
The virus claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman in the Mandi district on Friday, bringing the state's total death toll to 4,198. (PTI Input)
The coronavirus situation in Gujarat was under control, and 20,000 to 22,000 tests to detect the infection were performed every day, according to state minister Rushikesh Patel, who spoke at a review meeting called by the Union government on Friday.
Patel, who participated in a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukha Mandaviya via video conferencing, also stated that Gujarat was among the top states in the country in terms of per million tests. (PTI Inputs)
Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra's Leader of Opposition, said on Friday that the state government should investigate the COVID-19 situation immediately, as cases have been increasing, and inform citizens.
According to the state health department, Maharashtra recorded 803 new coronavirus cases and three fatalities on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 81,47,673, including 1,48,454 deaths.
"During the recently concluded Assembly sessions, we had asked the state government about the measures it was taking and the course of action it had decided to allow people's representatives to return to their constituencies and work on dealing with the COVID-19 situation by taking officials into confidence," Pawar told reporters in Pune. (PTI Input)
They city of Mumbai logged 276 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday. No deaths were reported. While Maharashtra reported 926 new cases, three deaths were reported in the state.
Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Goa government resumed in-patient testing at state-run hospitals on Friday, according to a minister.
Goa recorded 162 new cases of coronavirus infection on Thursday, bringing the state's active tally to 872. (PTI Input)
More than 3,000 cases of Covid have been recorded in Delhi in the past week, while the tally of active cases has increased by over 121 per cent in the same period, according to official data.
On Thursday, the national capital recorded 606 cases, the most in over seven months, with a positivity rate of 16.98%. On August 26, the city recorded 620 cases.
According to data shared by the Delhi government's health department on Thursday, the number of active cases stood at 2,060, a jump of more than 121 percent from March 30 when the corresponding figure was 932.
Read More Here: More Than 3,000 Covid Cases Reported In Delhi Last Week, Tally Increased By 121%: Official Data
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked all state governments and union territories to hold Covid review meetings in order to check their infrastructure and ramp it up accordingly amid the spike in cases.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that nationwide Covid mock drills will be conducted on April 10 and 11 to check the status of all hospital infrastructures.
The Covid review meeting chaired by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya concluded on Friday afternoon, he has asked states to tighten up the measures and make people aware amid the sudden spike
"The affair of Corona will continue but we are continuously active in it since 2020. We are still conducting the investigation in Bihar. We are getting one-fourth of the investigations being done in the country done in Bihar from the very beginning... Now the cases have started increasing and more cases are increasing in Patna. I keep saying that everyone should be alert," said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while talking to ANI.
A 60-year-old woman undergoing treatment for Covid died in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow.
"Wearing of masks in public places is mandatory in Puducherry," said District Collector E.Vallavan in a press conference, amid the Covid-19 surge in the country.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chairs a Covid review meeting with state health ministers amid the sudden rise in cases.
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Madras high court and its Madurai Bench decided to go hybrid mode from Monday 104 April 2023 until further orders. It said ‘’The members of the Bar and the litigants appearing as party-in-person are advised to utilise the facility of virtual/hybrid hearing of their cases to the best extent possible. The members of the Bar are also requested to make use of the facility made available for e-filing of cases in all jurisdictions, without limiting it to anticipatory bails, for which it has been made mandatory.’’
India recorded 14 deaths due to Coronavirus in the last 24 hours. Three out of 14 were reported from Maharashtra, two each from Karnataka and Rajasthan, one each from Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab, and one was reconciled by Kerala. The daily positivity rate stood at 3.39 percent and the weekly positivity rate at 3.02 percent, reported PTI.
India recorded a rise of around 700 in Covid positive cases in the last 24 hours.
India recorded a rise of around 700 in Covid positive cases in the last 24 hours.
India recorded 6,050 positive cases of Coronavirus in the last 24 hours. The tally of active cases now stands at 28,303.
The newly emerged recombinant coronavirus variant XBB.1.16 has been observed in different parts of the country, accounting for 38.2 per cent of the infection till date, according to the latest INSACOG bulletin.
The bulletin of March 27, which was released on Thursday, said among the samples collected till the third week of March 2023, XBB continued to be the most commonly circulating Omicron sublineage. Noting that Omicron and its sublineages continue to be the dominant variants in India, the bulletin said an increase in infection rate has been observed, especially in western, southern, and northern parts of India.
The Sikkim government on Thursday issued an advisory asking people to wear face masks in public places in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state and in the country. "Always wear a face mask. Maintain hand hygiene/frequently wash hands. Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. Avoid overcrowded and poorly ventilated places. In case of any symptoms, isolate yourself and get tested", the advisory issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department said.
The Himalayan state reported 23 new COVID-19 cases during the day, taking the tally to 44,390, a health department bulletin.
"The Centre has regularly issued guidelines to the States & UTs on Covid19. PM Modi has held a review with all States on this. Today, Health Minister Dr Mandaviya will hold a review meeting with health ministers of States & UTs," said Minister of State Health Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar.
Amid a spike in Covid cases, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will interact via video conferencing with health ministers of all states on the coronavirus situation on Friday, ANI reported. India reported a single-day rise of 5,335 new infections, with an active caseload at 25,587, as per the data by Health Ministry.
India records 5,335 new cases of Covid19 in the last 24 hours; Active caseload stands at 25,587
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Wednesday said the government was prepared to deal with any situation arising out of a rise in Covid cases, PTI reported. Currently, there is no Covid patient in ICU or on ventilator support in the state, Singh said and assured that the situation is under control. "Our oxygen plants are functional. Our staff, wards, emergency system, all are active," he said. The minister advised people to wear masks while going out, particularly in crowded places.
In view of the spurt in Covid-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday urged the people of the state to follow covid appropriate behaviour and wear masks at crowded places to check the spread of the virus. The state government has been closely monitoring the situation and the society has to learn to live with coronavirus, he said, PTI reported.
The industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune is witnessing a rise in Covid positive cases. The city has recorded at least 20 new cases a day in the last 15 days. Until Tuesday, the region's tally of active cases stood at 203. Till March 9, the city did not have a single active case.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud permits advocates to work from home amidst the sudden rise in Covid cases. Courts will be functioning in hybrid mode.
The National Covid recovery rate stood at 98.76 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was at 2.79 per cent and the daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.38 per cent on Wednesday. India's COVID-19 tally now has climbed to 4.47 crore (4,47,33,719) and the active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,79,712, while the fatality rate stood at 1.19 per cent.
India reported 4,435 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours. The death toll stands at 5,30,916 with 15 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours while the active infections have climbed to 23,091. Four deaths were reported from Maharashtra, one each was reported by Delhi, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Puducherry, and Rajasthan in a span of 24 hours and four were reconciled by Kerala.
With the fresh cases, India's COVID-19 tally climbed to 4.47 crore (4,47,33,719). The active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid recovery rate was recorded at 98.76 per cent.
With 15 new cases, Lucknow has reported the highest single-day Covid-19 spike this year. The tally of active cases now stands at 70. Previously, 17 cases were reported on October 26 last year in a single day.
Delhi recorded 521 fresh Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, highest since August 27 last year. One Covid-related death was also registered. Positivity rate stands at 15.64 per cent, while active cases have risen to 1710. There were 216 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Maharashtra saw a spike in Covid cases on Tuesday, with 711 fresh infections recorded in the past 24 hours. Four Covid-related deaths were also registered. The active caseload now stands at 3,792 in the state. On Monday, Maharashtra saw only 248 cases.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje tested positive on Tuesday for coronavirus. Raje in a tweet said she has isolated herself since testing positive. "My report has come positive in the Covid test. I am in complete isolation on the advice of doctors," Raje tweeted. "Those who came in contact with me should get themselves tested and take precautions," she advised.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told ANI that Covid cases are increasing globally and in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. We had an apprehension that cases will increase in Delhi. However, experts are saying there is nothing to worry about as this variant is not severe.
India logged 3,038 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 21,179, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,901 with nine deaths. While two deaths each were reported from Delhi and Punjab, one each was reported by Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand in a span of 24 hours and two reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,47,29,284) The active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.76 percent, the ministry said.
In view of the increasing Covid-19 infections in many states of the country, the scope of testing and vaccination will be increased in Uttarakhand, State Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat said on Monday. For this, instructions have been given to the departmental officers. In view of the Char Dham Yatra, the Covid guidelines issued from time to time by the Government of India and the State Government will be strictly implemented in the state.
In order to provide better health facilities to the pilgrims coming for the Char Dham Yatra, the departmental officers have been instructed to fix all the arrangements, along with that the deployment of doctors and paramedical staff on the yatra routes should be ensured before April 15.
The Karnataka health department is concerned as more than 100 fresh Covid cases have been reported from Bengaluru.The state reported 284 new cases against 132 discharges in the last 24 hours till Monday evening taking the tally of active cases in the state to 1,410. The state issues the Covid related number every day in the evening.
According to official statistics, one death has been reported, and the positivity rate for the day touched 3.22 per cent. The weekly total positivity rate is 2.90 per cent. The health department sources explained that they are seeing a steady rise in the number of cases, especially after the IPL match at Bengaluru on Sunday.
Bengaluru Urban district has reported 170 new Covid cases in one day against 50 discharges. There are 757 total active cases reported in the city. The Shivamogga district is also seeing a steady rise in fresh cases and reported 34 new Covid cases. 20 fresh cases have been reported in Ballary which earlier reported cases in single digits. All other districts are reporting cases in zero or single digits.
In view of the rise in COVID-19 and influenza cases in Maharashtra, the Satara district administration has made wearing of mask compulsory for employees and officials working in government and semi-government offices, colleges, and banks. The order was issued by Satara Collector Ruchesh Jaivanshi on Monday, effective immediately. The collector also appealed to residents in the district to use masks and maintain social distancing, and hand hygiene in crowded places such as weekly markets, bus stands, congregations, and weddings.
Delhi saw a dip in Covid cases on Monday, reporting 293 fresh infections and two deaths. The positivity rate stands at 18.53 per cent. On Sunday, Delhi recorded 429 fresh Covid cases, the highest in more than seven months. Delhi saw 416 fresh Covid cases on Saturday.
Nepal on Monday confirmed the detection of a new Omicron variant of COVID-19 identified as "XBB1.16" and said that at least 10 out of 24 latest samples of patients across the country have tested positive for the new strain, PTI reported. Nepal's Ministry of Health said it has cautioned its citizens after the detection of XBB1.6 variant, which has been identified and spreading in neighbouring India.
Maharashtra reported 248 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, the latest health department bulletin said. The bulletin said there were 203 recoveries and one death in the last 24 hours. Active Covid cases stand at 3532. On Sunday, Maharashtra reported 562 new Covid-19 cases. On, Saturday the state had logged 669 cases.
The Serum Institute of India has written a letter to the Union Health Ministry seeking the inclusion of its COVID-19 vaccine Covovax on the CoWIN portal as a heterologous booster dose for adults, PTI reported quoting official sources. Last month, the Covid-19 Working Group headed by Dr N K Arora had also recommended to the health ministry inclusion of Covovax on the CoWIN portal as a heterologous booster dose for adults who have been vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.
Amid a spike in Covid cases in the country, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said people need to wear masks wherever there is a crowd of more than 100 people. "People need to follow the COVID protocol. Wherever there is a crowd with more than 100 people, they need to wear masks and we’ve instructed that. We’ve also increased the testing. We’ve currently 724 active patients in the state but none of them is hospitalised," ANI quoted Vij as saying.
"We need to remain alert but there is no need to worry. Currently, the sub-variant of Omicron which is circulating in the country hasn't increased hospitalisations": Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Covid19 situation in the country
3,641 new Covid cases recorded in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed.
Active cases stand at 0.05%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.76%
Daily positivity rate (6.12%)
Weekly Positivity Rate (2.45%)
Background
As the country witnesses a spike in Covid cases, the Centre has advised caution and increased vigilance. Delhi, Maharashtra and Kerala have witnessed a rise in Covid cases recently.
Delhi on Wednesday reported 300 new Covid infections in the last 24 hours, against 214 cases reported on previous day, while the daily new Covid cases in India jumped to a 5-month high of 2,151.
Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman, National IMA COVID Task Force and former President, Indian Medical Association, said that the gradual waning of immunity, dropping of precautions, and genetic mutations are some reasons for the rising cases.
"Covid-19 is a cyclical viral disease, which means that periodically there will be surges. Reasons include gradual waning of immunity, dropping of precautions, greater mingling, travel, and genetic mutations that allow the virus to escape the human immune response from either vaccination, prior infection or both.
"The good news is that all the recent sublineages isolated from India are exclusively Omicron, which unlike Delta, is less likely to directly attack the lungs. However, Omicron is known to aggravate underlying disease conditions and result in serious outcomes, especially in older people. It is also known to cause less severe disease among vaccinated adults," he said.
Dr Jayadevan also said that what makes Covid-19 difficult to contain is its ability to repeatedly infect the same person, regardless of prior infection or vaccination.
"Multiple strategies have to be followed at once to reduce the total disease burden in the community, and on hospitals. The strategy also must include keeping elderly people safe, especially during times of surge, for instance, by staying away from crowded indoor gatherings in ill-ventilated spaces. Masking and triaging at hospitals will help reduce the spread of virus from Covid patients to others, some of whom might be in the vulnerable category," he said.
In wake of sudden rise in cases, the Health Ministry on Monday held a high-level meeting to review preparedness status of the entire spectrum of management of the pandemic with states and UTs through Video Conference.
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