India on Thursday reported its highest single day spike this year in new COVID cases with 35,871 cases and 172 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per data released by the Health Ministry.
It has reported 17,741 recoveries during this period. The country has so far reported a total of 1,14,74,605 cases, of which 1,10,63,025 are recoveries. The death toll stands at 1,59,216.
It has an active case load of 2,52,364 cases while total vaccination done till 7 a.m. on Thursday is 3,71,43,255.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here . A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Daily vaccinations in Delhi to be raised from 40,000 to 1.25 lakh, says Kejriwal
Asserting that the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the national capital was not a cause of worry, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the number of people vaccinated in Delhi each day will be raised from around 40,000 to 1.25 lakh.
In the last three days, the number of daily COVID-19 cases in Delhi has increased to over 500, he said, adding that though it was a 'negligible' rise, his government has directed officials for stricter tracking, tracing and isolation of cases.
Mr. Kejriwal said the number of vaccination centres in Delhi will be doubled and they will open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.. - PTI
Night curfew extended by 2 hrs in Punjab's nine districts, CM warns of strict measures
Amid rising cases of COVID-19 in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced a two-hour extension in the night curfew in the state's nine worst-affected districts.
Singh said the coronavirus situation in the state is critical and warned people of stringent measures if they don't follow COVID appropriate behaviour.
"I won't be easy on the people. People may not like it, but it's my duty," the chief minister said.
He expressed hope that all Punjabis will cooperate and adhere to the restrictions.
"For God's sake, save the lives of Punjabis," he urged the residents of the state. - PTI
Juan Ferrando tests positive for COVID-19
Indian Super League team FC Goa's head coach Juan Ferrando has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating, the club said on Thursday.
"The gaffer is in good health at the moment and showing no symptoms. The club will continue to monitor the situation and provide all the necessary support," the club said in a statement.
It said that rest of its players and staff have tested negative. - PTI
As COVID-19 cases surge, Jain asks people to be cautious, shake off complacency
Amid a surge in daily COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday asked people to be cautious and observe all safety norms, and not get complacent about the pandemic situation in the city.
Interacting with reporters, he also said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has convened a meeting with him on Thursday to review the situation.
Delhi on Wednesday had recorded 536 coronavirus cases, the highest in about two-and-a-half months, while three more persons died from COVID-19 infection, taking the death toll to 10,948. - PTI
Woman gives birth to first known baby with antibodies against coronavirus, doctors say
Pediatricians have reported the first known case of a woman, who was given the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during her pregnancy, giving birth to a baby with antibodies against the novel coronavirus.
According to the yet-to-be peer-reviewed study, posted in the preprint server medRxiv, the mother had received a single dose of the Moderna mRNA vaccine at 36 weeks and three days of her gestation period.
Three weeks later, she gave birth to a vigorous, healthy, full-term girl, whose blood sample taken immediately after birth revealed the presence of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the study noted. - PTI
No exams till Class 5 in Rajasthan govt schools due to COVID
The Rajasthan government decided on Wednesday not to conduct any examination till the fifth grade in state-run schools in the current academic session due to the rising coronavirus cases.
The children of these classes will be promoted to the next class on the basis of assessment. The Education Department issued orders in this regard on Wednesday.
Accordingly, the students from class 1-5 will be promoted to the next class based on the assessment. This promotion will be done on April 1 and there will be no examination for it.
On the other hand, the examination of classes 6 and 7 will be conducted from April 15-22, while exams for classes 9 and 11 will be conducted from April 6-22 and Class 8 exam will be conducted on board pattern.
The result of classes 6, 7, 9 and 11 will be announced on April 30 and admission in the upcoming classes will start from May 1. - PTI
Amid second wave, Gujarat records 1,122 cases
Amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the second wave, Gujarat recorded 1,122 infections on Wednesday, its highest tally in over a 100 days. The authorities have imposed restrictions suspending public transport services and shutting down clubs, gyms and gaming zones, gardens and parks in Ahmedabad.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has suspended all public transport buses plying in the city while all gyms, public parks and gardens, gaming zones and clubs have been shut.
