The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
A total of 96,982 cases have been reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll increased to 1,65,547 with 446 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.
Here are the updates:
Chhattisgarh Health Minister flags erratic vaccine supply
With a record spike in COVID cases in Chhattisgarh and the Union Health Ministry also ticking off the State for failing to control the spread of the virus , State Health Minister T.S. Singh Deo hit back saying that the supply of vaccines have been erratic with supplies nearly running out on Monday.
Mr. Deo said with the spiralling cases, a partial lockdown in the affected districts cannot be ruled out.
The State on Monday reported the highest number of 7,302 COVID-19 cases in a day and 44 fatalities. Chhattisgarh’s Durg district is the latest entrant in the top ten districts with maximum active cases. The Union Health Ministry has said the number of deaths in the State is also worrying.
Centre has deployed 50 public health teams across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab: Health Ministry
Centre has deployed 50 public health teams to 30 district of Maharashtra, 11 of Chhattisgarh and 9 in Punjab. They will assist State health departments, said the Health Ministry in a briefing held today.
India still among the lowest globally in terms of cases and deaths per million, the Health Ministry said.
In the last 24 hrs country had reported 446 deaths, given their population deaths in Chhattisgarh and Punjab are of most concern.
Durg, Chhattisgarh is the newest entrant in top 10 districts with maximum active coronavirus cases, seven of the others are from Maharashtra, it said.
In terms of daily rate of doses administered, India is in a good position globally. India has among the quickest acceleration in doses. In contrast to the U.S., which has given 165 million doses in 112 days, UK which has done 36 million in 118 days and Brazil with 21 million in 78 days, India has administered 79 million vaccines in 79 days, the Ministry said.
When people say that India isn't vaccinating fast enough, we must remember that vaccinating isn't like buying something and carrying it home in a bag; it can't be immediately accelerated, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.
We are following a scientific protocol. We have to observe people for half hour for side effects and reactions, he added.
For those who ask why aren't we vaccinating everyone. All over the world, people have studied this and the objective everywhere is to ensure the most vulnerable are protected. This consists of the old as well as health care workers, Mr. Bhushan said, adding, vaccines aren't given as a matter of choice, but according to need.
All countries continue to administer vaccines according to defined criteria of risk and vulnerability, he said.
"It's not globally demonstrated yet if a certain amount of vaccines distributed in a population, guarantees herd immunity. That needs to be seen. What we know is that it protects against severe disease and saves lives. That's the philosophy that guides India's vaccination programme and this is in line with WHO guidelines," Dr VK Paul of Niti Aayog said.
- Jacob Koshy
Katrina Kaif tests positive for COVID-19
Actor Katrina Kaif on Tuesday said she has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under home quarantine.
Kaif, 37, took to her Instagram Story and requested those who came in contact with her to also get themselves tested.
The "Bharat" star said she is currently following protocols listed by her doctors and thanked fans for their continued support.
"I have tested positive for Covid-19. Have immediately isolated myself and will be under home quarantine. I'm following all safety protocols under the advice of my doctors. - PTI
Former India wicketkeeper and Mumbai Indians talent scout Kiran More tests positive for COVID-19
Former India wicketkeeper and Mumbai Indians' talent scout Kiran More has tested positive for COVID-19, the IPL franchise said on Tuesday.
The 58-year-old More is also the wicket-keeping consultant of the five-time IPL champions.
"Mr. More is currently asymptomatic and has been isolated. Mumbai Indians and Kiran More have followed all the BCCI health guidelines," MI stated in a media release.
"The MI medical team will continue to monitor Mr. More's health and abide by the BCCI protocols." Among the players and support staff, Delhi Capitals' all-rounder Axar Patel has tested positive and is in isolation.
Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal is currently in home quarantine, having tested positive for COVID-19 before joining the camp in Bengaluru.
- PTI
Mortality among young and mid-age group is a cause of concern: Minister
Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar on Tuesday expressed concern over mortality among the young and mid-age groups due to COVID-19, amid a spike in cases, and has sought for a death audit from expert doctors to know the reasons.
He also said the second wave of the pandemic was spreading faster than the first wave.
"Yesterday there has been an increase in cases.For the first time in the last six months 5,279 fresh cases were reported. More than 1 lakh cases have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours, and the mortality rate is also increasing. In the state also it was up with 32 deaths yesterday," Mr. Sudhakar said.
Former India wicketkeeper and Mumbai Indians talent scout Kiran More tests positive for COVID-19
Former India wicketkeeper and Mumbai Indians' talent scout Kiran More has tested positive for COVID-19, the IPL franchise said on Tuesday.
The 58-year-old More is also the wicket-keeping consultant of the five-time IPL champions.
"Mr. More is currently asymptomatic and has been isolated. Mumbai Indians and Kiran More have followed all the BCCI health guidelines," MI stated in a media release. - PTI
Pakistan to vaccinate 80-yr-olds and above at their homes
Pakistan will administer COVID-19 vaccines to citizens 80 years of age and above at their homes, as the country battles a fresh wave of the coronavirus.
On Monday, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said citizens aged 80 years and above would be vaccinated at their homes.
He said the decision was taken keeping in mind the onset of summer and the difficulty senior citizens would face in reaching vaccination centres and waiting in queues. According to official data, 936,383 people have been vaccinated in Pakistan till April 3. - PTI
COVID-19 surge: Not wearing mask amounts to crime, says MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said not wearing a face mask amounts to crime and appealed to people to follow appropriate "social behaviour" to check the spread of COVID-19.
The surge in cases now is due to people lowering their guard, Mr. Chouhan said after starting a 24-hour 'sit-in' here to spread the awareness among people about following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
The CM launched the "Swasthya Agrah" (health request) at the Minto Hall in Bhopal at 12.30 pm on Tuesday and during his 24-hour 'sit-in', he will interact with people online and conduct his official work from the venue. - PTI
India blessed to have a major manufacturer of global vaccines: WB Prez on SII
World Bank President David Malpass has said that with the Serum Institute, India is blessed to have a major manufacturer of global vaccines and he is encouraged by the country's ramping up of its domestic vaccination programme.
Mr. Malpass made the comments on Monday during a media roundtable ahead of the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
“I've had substantial contact with the Serum Institute. India is blessed with having a major manufacturer of global vaccines in India,” he said.
Responding to a question, Mr. Malpass said that he has encouraged more transparency in terms of what the national requirements are for local production, and that extends to countries around the world.
“It hasn't been clear, whether in the United States or in Europe, or in South Africa, or in India, what the requirements are of their local production to meet local demands. I've been encouraged by India's ramping up of its domestic vaccination programme, and we're working with them on that. This is a high priority for the world,” Mr. Malpass said. - PTI
IMA urges PM Modi to open COVID-19 vaccination for all above 18 years
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that vaccination be allowed for all people above the age of 18 years.
Coronavirus updates — April 6, 2021
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day on April 6 taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. The country had a day ago reported 1,03,558 new cases.
India records highest single-day vaccination coverage
More than 43 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in a span 24 hours, the highest single-day coverage till now, taking the total doses given in the country so far to 8,31,10,926, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
A total of 43,00,966 vaccine doses have been given in a span of 24 hours out of which 39,00,505 beneficiaries received the 1st dose while 4,00,461 have taken the 2nd dose, according to the data updated at 7 am.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala account for 60 per cent of the cumulative vaccine doses given till now. - PTI
2 ground-staff members among 3 more positive COVID-19 cases at Wankhede
Two more members of the ground-staff and a plumber at the Wankhede Stadium have tested positive for COVID-19, a day after the facility was cleared to host its share of 10 IPL matches.
The stadium is due to host its first IPL game of the season on April 10, following the lung-opener in Chennai between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9.
"Three at the stadium have tested positive, two are groundsmen," a Mumbai Cricket Association source told PTI.
Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. till April 30
The Delhi government on Tuesday imposed night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in view of rising COVID-19 cases, officials said.
The city recorded 3,548 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Monday, while 15 more people succumbed to the infection taking the death toll to 11,096, according to the Delhi health department.
The order for night curfew will continue till April 30. The curfew will be in place from 10 pm to 5 am, said a government official. - Staff Reporter
Alarmed by rising COVID-19 cases during productions, film industry ups safety measures
With release of films like "Sooryavanshi" being pushed indefinitely and top stars Akshay Kumar, Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar testing positive for COVID-19, the danger of halting ongoing shootings of the projects looms large and so does the fear of many daily wage earners losing employment amid the surge in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra.
As year 2021 appears to be a repeat of 2020, industry insiders say they are amping up safety measures, including regular RTPCR tests, to control the spread of COVID-19 on the sets of the on-ground productions as they cannot afford to suspend filming activities.
Not just Kumar, who was shooting for "Ram Setu", as many as 45 members of the film's crew have also tested positive. As a precautionary measure, the actor was admitted to a city hospital on Monday.
On the other hand, Kaushal and Pednekar were reportedly shooting for filmmaker Shashank Khaitan's Dharma Productions film "Mr Lele". - PTI
India records 96,982 new cases, 446 fresh fatalities
A health worker checks the temperature of a senior citizen before he casts his vote at Pallam in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu on April 6, 2021.
Registering a steady increase for the 27th day in row, the active cases have increased to 7,88,223 comprising 6.21% of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 92.48%, the data stated. The active caseload was at its lowest at 1, 35,926 on February 12 comprising 1.25% of the total infections. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,17,32,279, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.30%, the data stated.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
(With inputs from Correspondents and Agencies)
