New coronavirus cases and deaths in India hit a record daily high with 4,12,262 new infections and 3,980 fatalities being reported, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,10,77,410 and the death toll to 2,30,168, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 35,66,398 comprising 16.92% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 81.99%, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.
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:
PM Narendra Modi speaks to Lt. Governors of Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir about COVID-19 situation in two union territories, say government sources. - PTI
Kejriwal expresses gratitude after Delhi receives surplus oxygen
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Center had supplied 730MT of oxygen to the Capital on Wednesday which was more than the 700 MT that the city has demanded. He hoped that the Centre would supply over 700 MT regularly and that it was not a one time supply.
“If the Centre continues to supply over 700 MT of oxygen, hospitals that had to originally reduce the intake of patients will be able to add extra beds and the various beds added by the Delhi government will have enough oxygen supply and come in service for patients,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan tests positive
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan, who was inoculated against COVID-19, was tested positive and admitted to a government hospital in Madurai.
He was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital with mild symptoms.
"I tested positive for coronavirus infection when I underwent a test yesterday. Doctors said I have mild symptoms," the former Union Minister of Sstate for Finance and Shipping said.
Updating his health status on his Twitter page, 69- year-old Radhakrishnan said, "I am currently undergoing treatment at the Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital on the advice of doctors." Also, he claimed that the impact of the infection "appeared to be minimal" on him since he had already completed two doses of corona vaccine.
Prisoners need to be released on bail, parole in view of alarming COVID situation in Delhi
A high powered committee constituted to decongest jails to prevent spread of COVID-19 has said there is a need to release prisoners on interim bail for 90 days or eight weeks parole in view of the "alarming" and "threatening" situation of the pandemic in the national capital.
The committee, headed by Justice Vipin Sanghi, observed that the entire country was "engulfed" in the second wave of COVID-19, which according to the medical and expert opinion is more virulent and fatal in comparison to the last year's strain and in a matter of few weeks has left everyone "gasping for air". - PTI
46 held for taking out procession to 'eradicate COVID-19'
Police have arrested 46 people for taking out a religious procession at a village in Gandhinagar district to "eradicate coronavirus", an official said on Thursday.
This is the second such incident in Gujarat in the last few of days.
All COVID-19 prevention norms were allegedly violated during the latest procession taken out in Raipur village of Gandhinagar on Wednesday, Deputy Superintendent of Police M.K. Rana said.
In a video that went viral on social media platforms on Thursday, around 100 men and women, many without masks, were seen participating in a procession in the village. While women were carrying water pots on their heads, several men were leading the procession while beating drums. - PTI
Railways issues fresh SOPs amid rising cases
The Ministry of Railways has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be strictly adhered to in the movement of passengers by trains across the country.
With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, the railways decided to advise passengers to wear face masks at the time of entry and also during the entire journey. Any violation of the advisory would be dealt with in accordance with various rules/guidelines.
Lockdown in Kerala from May 8 to 16
The Kerala government has announced a State-wide lockdown from May 8 to 16.
The directive was issued by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan taking into consideration the surge in COVID-19 cases in the State during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Official sources said that the nine-day lockdown will come into effect from 6 a.m. on May 8 (Saturday). At present, lockdown is enforced from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with semi-lockdown-like curbs during weekends.
‘No lockdown in Telangana for now’
The Telangana State government has indicated that there is no chance of imposing total or partial lockdown in the State at present in the wake of the increasing number of COVID cases.
Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said that the imposition of lockdown in some States yielded no significant results. The situation was totally under control and recent trends indicated that the COVID curve was flattening. “We have to think about the livelihoods of people and other issues. The situation is totally under control and the State Cabinet will take a call on lockdown if the need arises,” he said.
The night curfew imposed in the State would continue for some more days and the government would take a call on extending it only after the deadline for the night curfew (May 8 at 5 a.m.) ends.
