Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Sydney Records Deadliest Day Of Covid, Melbourne Lockdown Extended
Coronavirus Highlights, 16 August, Monday: Kerala reported 18,582 new Covid-19 cases pushing the total tally to 36.69 lakh, the count of people succumbing to disease rose to 18,601 with 102 deaths
Australia's biggest city of Sydney recorded its deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, while residents in Melbourne face a nightly curfew and a further two weeks of lockdown amid a surge in infections.
Sydney, which is in its eighth week of lockdown, is the epicentre of Australia's third COVID-19 wave that threatens to push the country's A$2 trillion ($1.5 trillion) economy into its second recession in as many years.
New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said seven people in Sydney had died from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, surpassing the state's previous record daily toll from earlier this month.
Berejiklian said New South Wales has also detected 478 infections, the highest one-day rise since the pandemic begun.
More than 56.81 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs till now. More than 2.89 cr balance and unutilized vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
With at least half of the districts in the state reporting a good number of new cases daily, the Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday further extended the Covid curfew till August 21.
Principal Secretary (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal said the 10 pm to 6 am curfew has been extended after a thorough review of the Covid-19 situation and keeping in view the number of positive cases. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC would continue to be in force even during non-curfew hours. Gatherings at marriages, functions and religious events should not exceed 150 persons. Following Covid appropriate behaviour is a must at all congregations. Any violation will attract action as per the Disaster Management Act and the IPC," Singhal said.
The Principal Secretary directed the district Collectors, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to enforce the orders scrupulously.
Haryana on Sunday reported one COVID-19 related fatality taking the cumulative toll to 9,658 and 22 fresh infections pushed the total infection count to 7,70,208. According to the Health Department's daily bulletin, the latest death was reported from the Jind district.
Among new cases, seven were reported from Gurugram and three from the Palwal district. The total active cases in the state were 664. The total recoveries so far were 7,59,886. The recovery rate was 98.66 per cent, the bulletin said.
The Sikkim government on Sunday relaxed the Covid-related restrictions, allowing tourists who have got one dose of vaccination to enter the state, officials said. The government also allowed shops, commercial establishments and other businesses to remain open till 8 pm, instead of 5 pm, they said.
The government also exempted tourist vehicles and two-wheelers from the odd-even rationing scheme. Private vehicles and taxis ferrying locals will have to comply with the odd-even regulation, officials said. However, those who are willing to enter the state with a single-dose vaccination will have to produce a Covid-negative certificate of RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours, they said. Those who have taken both doses would not need to produce any test certificate, they added. Those below 18 years will have to show Covid-negative certificate of RT-PCR test, officials said. The government also allowed casinos in hotels for in-house customers
Background
Coronavirus Highlights, 16 August, Monday: Maharashtra on Sunday reported 4,797 new coronavirus positive cases and 130 fatalities while 3,710 patients recovered, the state health department said. With the new additions, the tally of cases in Maharashtra reached 63,92,660 and the death toll to 1,35,039, it said.
A total of 61,89,933 patients have recovered from coronavirus infection in Maharashtra so far, leaving the state with 64,219 active cases. Mumbai reported 262 cases during the day and 4 deaths, taking the tally to 7,39,331 and the toll to 15,981. The Mumbai division saw 699 fresh infections and 12 deaths, raising the total to 16,52,731 and the number of fatalities to 34,724, the department said.
With at least half of the districts in the state reporting a good number of new cases daily, the Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday further extended the Covid curfew till August 21.
Principal Secretary (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal said the 10 pm to 6 am curfew has been extended after a thorough review of the Covid-19 situation and keeping in view the number of positive cases. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC would continue to be in force even during non-curfew hours. Gatherings at marriages, functions and religious events should not exceed 150 persons. Following Covid appropriate behaviour is a must at all congregations. Any violation will attract action as per the Disaster Management Act and the IPC," Singhal said.
The Principal Secretary directed the district Collectors, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to enforce the orders scrupulously.
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