The Covid-19 surge across India on Wednesday, with Maharashtra reporting 31,855 fresh cases — its highest single-day spike since the outbreak of the pandemic — and Delhi recording 1,254 new cases, its highest spike in over three months. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)Coronavirus India Highlights: Coronavirus cases in Mumbai continued to increase unabated as the city recorded 5,504 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours. Consequently, Mumbai’s civic body BMC has planned to increase the bed capacity in hospitals from the current 13,773 to 21,000 in the next 15 days besides scaling up testing.
In order to stem the second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the Rajasthan government Thursday issued an order stating that no functions related to the festivals of Holi and Shab-e-Barat will be allowed at public places in the state on March 28 and 29.
The daily count of coronavirus cases in India crossed 50,000 for the first time since November 6. On Wednesday, 53,476 new infections were detected, of which Maharashtra reported 31,855, a new peak for the state. Mumbai and Pune have both set new records for daily cases. Punjab, second-highest state with covid cases, reported 2,613 new infections. Active cases rise by more than 26,000 in a day, the highest record since the outbreak of the virus. There are total 3.95 lakh active cases in the country and 251 deaths reported on Thursday.
A new double mutant variant of coronavirus has been identified in India, according to the Ministry of Health. A total of 206 cases of the double mutant variant (E484Q + L452R) have been detected in Maharashtra, the data show. The Centre said there is no direct link of the new variant detected with the ongoing surge in the state.
Coronavirus India Highlights: Over 50,000 reported in India, highest since November 6; Covid surge in Maharashtra a matter of grave concern, says govt; new double mutant variant identified in India; Follow latest news and developments on covid-19 in India below
The Centre has also updated the Co-WIN platform and communicated to states that unlike earlier, when the second dose of the vaccine would be scheduled for Day 29, beneficiaries will have the discretion to choose the date of the second dose within the extended interval of 4-8 weeks.
For the first time in the last four months, India on Thursday morning reported more than 50,000 fresh cases of Covid-19 infection in a 24-hour window.
Daily deaths continued to surge: after reporting 275 deaths on Wednesday, the country reported 251 deaths on Thursday morning. With several states reporting major surges in daily new cases, India’s total active caseload is now 3.95 lakh, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. A total of 53,476 fresh cases were reported in the previous 24 hours, the Ministry said. Read More
Following the jump in coronavirus cases over the last two weeks, several private schools in Gurgaon that had started physical sessions for students over the last three months have decided to move back to online classes as a precautionary measure.
After recording less than 50 new cases every day for several weeks, Gurgaon, from the end of February, began to see a surge in coronavirus cases. On March 9, the district recorded its highest number of new cases in two months, with 75 people testing positive. On March 18, for the first time in almost three months, the district recorded more than 100 new cases. The number of new cases daily has remained above hundred in the week since, peaking at 256 on Thursday. Read More
India added over one lakh coronavirus infections in just two days as the second wave of the virus grew stronger in big cities and states. Considering this, the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan today placed restrictions on public gathering for the upcoming festivals in the respective states.
Mumbai, registering record virus cases daily, has planned to increase the bed capacity in hospitals besides ramping up testing and vaccination efforts in the city.
Here are all the Covid-19 related updates for today. Read More
Kerala reported 1,989 new Covid-19 cases and 12 fatalities on Thursday. The active caseload reached 24,380 while the toll rose to 4,539.
At 301, Kozhikode reported the highest number of cases on Thursday, followed by Kannur at 205 and Thiruvananthapuram at 202. Read More
Gujarat reported 1,961 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, its highest singe-day rise since the pandemic began last year which took the tally to 2,94,130, the health department said here.
Since March 22, the state is witnessing record rise in cases every day. On Wednesday the state had recorded 1,790 new cases, the highest one-day rise till then.
As many as seven patients died on Thursday -- four in Surat, two in Mahisagar and one in Ahmedabad -- taking the Covid-19 death toll to 4,473, the department said.
With 1,405 patients getting discharged, the number of recovered cases increased to 2,80,285. Recovery rate in the state stands at 95.29 per cent.
There are now 9,372 active cases in the state with 81 patients being critical. (PTI)
In view of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, the Delhi Metro has decided to intensify its drive to ensure commuters maintain social distancing and wear masks inside trains and on station premises, the transporter said on Thursday.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) took to Twitter to inform people about it, and said over 300 commuters were issued challans on Wednesday for violating Covid-19 norms.
"To ensure our travel guidelines are being followed, Delhi Metro's Flying Squads penalised 318 commuters on 24 March 2021 for not wearing a face mask properly & following social distancing. Let us all follow the protocols & politely counsel others to do the same," it tweeted.
As part of intensified measures to contain the Covid-19 spread, entry at stations will be regulated based on social distancing on the premises, especially at major stations like Rajiv Chowk, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, ITO etc., during morning and evening peak hours, it said. (PTI)
Maharashtra recorded 35,952 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, the highest one-day rise since the pandemic began. Mumbai city also witnessed a record rise in cases during the day, health officials said.
It took the caseload in the state to 26,00,833. The state has added over one lakh cases in the last four days. With 111 fatalities reported on Thursday, death toll reached 53,795.
Mumbai city reported 5,505 new cases, its highest daily rise till now, while the nearby Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation reported 1,027 cases, its highest rise so far.
Pune city and neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad reported 3,340 and 1,747 new cases, respectively. As many as 1,340 cases were reported in other areas of Pune district. (PTI)
The Gujarat government on Thursday banned people from gathering in mosques and other places for Shab-e-Barat that will be observed on March 28.
In a notification, the Gujarat home department said on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat, or the night of forgiveness, Muslims gather in large numbers in mosques to offer prayers in order to to seek forgiveness on behalf of the deceased and visit graves of their loved ones.
"There has been a recent increase in the number of coronavirus cases. In such a situation, cases are likely to grow due to large gatherings. It is important people do not gather in mosques and other places for Shab-e-Barat and Covid-19 guidelines issued by state and Central governments are strictly followed and social distancing maintained," said the notification.
Gujarat reported 1,961 new coronavirus positive cases on Thursday, its highest single-day spike on the fourth consecutive day since March 22, taking the state's tally to 2,94,130. (PTI)
Rajasthan reported 715 more coronavirus cases and zero deaths on Thursday, the health department said.
The infection tally rose to 3,27,890, it said.
Of the fresh cases, the maximum 127 were reported from Jodhpur followed by Kota (80), Jaipur (77), Udaipur (67), and Dungarpur (55) among other districts.
There are 5,149 active cases in the state and 3,19,933 coronavirus patients have recovered so far, according to an official report. (PTI)
Delhi recorded 1515 new cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours. The city also reported five new deaths related to the virus.
The Covid positivity rate now stands at 1.69%.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is aiming to scale up its vaccination drive soon and administer 50,000 doses every day to inoculate the maximum number of local residents. It also plans to start 24-hour vaccination centres in five places across the city, where the number of active Covid-19 cases is over 49,000.
“The PMC is aiming to vaccinate 20,000 local residents on Thursday. We want to take the number of people vaccinated every day to 50,000 in next few days by increasing number of vaccination centres,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Rubal Agarwal.
She said that the PMC is going to carry out vaccinations 24 hours a day at five centres with immediate effect. “Those eligible for the vaccine can avail the facility at the five centres any time of the day except during the night curfew period. However, healthcare worker and frontline workers can take the vaccine any time they want to at the five centres,” said Agarwal. Read here
Karnataka has recorded 2,523 fresh cases of coronavirus and 10 related fatalities, taking the gross to 9.78 lakh and the toll to 12,471, the Health department said on Thursday.
This is for the third consecutive day that the state has reported over 2,000 fresh cases.
Out of the fresh cases reported on Thursday, 1,623 were from Bengaluru Urban alone. The day also saw 1,192 patients getting discharged after recovery.
As of March 25 evening, cumulatively 9,78,478 Covid-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,471 deaths and 9,47,781 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin.
It said, out of 18,207 active cases, 18,057 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 150 are in ICU. (PTI)
Beginning April 1, all interstate travellers to Bengaluru will need to furnish a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test report, Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar announced on Thursday.
“With cases likely to increase further in the coming days and after observing that interstate travellers account for over 60 per cent of cases in Bengaluru, it has been decided that all such persons have to arrive with a negative RT-PCR report from April 1,” Sudhakar said. He added that the rule will be applicable to those, including permanent residents of the city, who arrive in the city from any place outside Karnataka.
The move comes a day after the Union Health Ministry identified Bengaluru Urban as the only city outside Maharashtra to be among the ten with the highest active Covid-19 caseload. According to figures released by the state government, the Karnataka capital reported 11,520 active cases, amounting to nearly 70 per cent of the state’s total caseload. Read this report by Ralph Alex Arakal
The duration of Kumbh Mela in Haridwar has been curtailed to just one month for the first time in its history in view of a recent surge in Covid-19 cases and it has been made mandatory for pilgrims to have a "negative" RT-PCR test report to attend the mega congregation.
According to a notification, the congregation on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in Uttarakhand will take place from April 1 to 30, with three "shahi snan" (major bathing) dates on April 12, 14 and 27.
Thousands of devotes take a dip in the holy river during the mela with their number increasing manifold on the days of "shahi snan". Authorities also expect heavy turnouts on the occasions of Chaitra Pratipada on April 13 and Ram Navami on April 21.
Held once in 12 years, the congregation usually lasts around three-and-a-half months. Its last edition was held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28 in 2010.
No functions related to the festivals of Holi and Shab-e-Barat will be allowed at public places in Rajasthan on March 28 and 29 to curb the spread of coronavirus, a government order said.
The state government issued an order on Wednesday restricting public gatherings during Holi and Shab-e-Barat in public places/parks/markets/religious places, etc. on March 28 and 29.
There will be no permission to organise public functions or gathering at public places to celebrate the festivals.
Action will be taken if there are gatherings or congregations, according to the order issued by the home department. (PTI)
Anticipating the Covid-19 daily cases to reach up to 10,000, Mumbai's civic body BMC has planned to increase the bed capacity in hospitals from the current 13,773 to 21,000 in the next 15 days.
The civic body has also set a target of increasing daily testing up to 60,000. Expecting that at least 15 per cent of the total Covid-19 patients would be symptomatic, the BMC says it is in a comfortable position to handle these many cases in terms of availability of beds.
In last one-and-half month, the city has reported 200 deaths with a mortality rate of 0.3 per cent as against 56,220 positive cases.
"There is absolutely no cause of worry in city of Mumbai and BMC is in full control of the situation and confident of controlling the pandemic in due course of time," said I S Chahal, Municipal Commissioner, BMC, on th current status of the pandemic in city.
Odisha's Covid-19 caseload mounted to 3,39,460 on Thursday after 214 people tested positive for the virus, the highest spike since January 15, a health department official said.
Khurda district, comprising state capital Bhubaneswar, recorded the highest of 33 new infections followed by Sundergarh (27), Cuttack and Bolangir with 20 cases each, he said. Malkangiri and Nayagarh have been declared coronavirus-free as no active cases exist in their jurisdiction.
The state's Covid-19 death toll remained unchanged at 1,919 as no fresh fatality has been reported since March 22. A total of 53 other Covid-19 patients have also died due to comorbidities, the official said.
Odisha now has 1,151 active cases, while as many as 3,36,337 patients have so far recovered from the disease. (PTI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday said although the coronavirus cases were on the rise in the state, the death rate in the fresh wave of infections is low.
Speaking to reporters, Rupani said the state government is working to bring the cases under control, but the numbers are expected to rise for another one week.
"The rate of infections is high in the entire country, including the state. However, there is no need to panic. Although the rate of infection is high, the number of deaths is less (in this wave)," the chief minister said.
The government is working with the three 'Ts' formula of testing, tracing and treatment, he said, adding that 70,000 tests were conducted on Wednesday.
"Our Sanjivani Raths, Dhanvantari Raths, 108 ambulance service and 104 fever helpline services are operating 24 hours to test and track patients. With respect to treatment, we have made arrangements, and around 70 per cent beds are vacant," Rupani said. (PTI)
AstraZeneca insists that its Covid-19 vaccine is strongly effective even after counting additional illnesses in its disputed US study, the latest in an extraordinary public rift with American officials.
In a late-night news release Wednesday, the drugmaker said it had recalculated data from that study and concluded the vaccine is 76 per cent effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19, instead of the 79 per cent it had reported earlier in the week.
Just a day earlier, an independent panel that oversees the study had accused AstraZeneca of cherry-picking data to tout the protection offered by its vaccine. The panel, in a harsh letter to the company and to US health leaders, said the company had left out some Covid-19 cases that occurred in the study, a move that could erode trust in the science.
Some experts said the new data provided by AstraZeneca was "reassuring" and that the information was likely solid enough for US regulators to authorize the vaccine. (AP)
The union territory of Puducherry logged 95 fresh coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 40,740, a senior official of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services said on Thursday.
No fresh fatality was reported and the number of fatalities remained at 679, Director of Health and Family S Mohan Kumar said in a release.
The 95 new cases were identified at the end of the examination of 2,039 people in the Union Territory, he added.
While the Puducherry region accounted for 67 fresh cases, Karaikal reported 24, Yanam logged three and Mahe added one.
The number of active cases in the union territory stood at 672 while 39,389 patients had recovered and were discharged so far, the Health department Director said, adding the overall count rose to 40,740. (PTI)
Actor R Madhavan has tested positive for COVID-19. The actor took to social media to inform his followers about his coronavirus-positive, while mentioning the film 3 Idiots.
Madhavan tested positive just a day after his 3 Idiots co-star Aamir Khan also tested positive for the virus. Referring to the Raju Hirani film, Madhavan shared on Instagram, “Farhan HAS to follow Rancho and Virus has always been after us BUT this time he bloody caught up. But All is Well and the Covid will be in the Well soon. Though this is one place we don’t want Raju in. Thank you for all the love. I am recuperating well.” Read more
Maharashtra becomes the first state to administer over 5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. India's cumulative number of vaccines administered crossed 5.31 crore today. The second-highest number of vaccines were given in Rajasthan, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal. --- ANI
The rapid rise in coronavirus cases has begun to show its impact on the death numbers as well. The daily death count, which had dropped to double digits in February, has risen to more than 250 the last two days.
However, compared to the sharp increase in cases, the rise in deaths has been quite low as of now.
The fatality rate in the ongoing second wave is still significantly lower than what was seen in the peak months of July, August and September last year. But for the last two weeks, it has begun to rise. Read more
Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, are reporting a surge in daily new cases. They together account for 80.63% of the new cases reported in the last 24 hours, says Government of India --- ANI
In its briefing on Covid-19 on Wednesday, the Centre flagged Maharashtra and Punjab as “states of grave concern showing recent surge”.
Maharashtra has consistently reported more than 25,000 new cases every day for a week now (see graph; the number updated on any date refers to the previous day’s count).
"Maharashtra is at top of the country in the nunber of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered. We are also the first State to cross the 5 million doses benchmark," says Dr Pradeep Vyas, Principal Secretary, Health, Maharashtra. --- ANI
The Karnataka government has decided to impose heavy fines on citizens and establishments such as hotels and departmental stores, and organisers of public events who fail to enforce Covid safety rules.
“The owners of the establishment will be responsible for ensuring compulsory wearing of masks and social distancing, enforcing restrictions on the number of persons to be allowed,” a late order notification by the state government on Wednesday said. Read more
Maharashtra has till now fined 2,03,000 people for not wearing masks. A total of Rs 4.06 crores collected in fine, says PRO, Mumbai Police. --- ANI
As the country marked one year of the day – March 24 – when it went into a hard lockdown with just over 500 positive cases, several migrant workers who lost their jobs and later left in Shramik trains to their native places from Punjab are now back in the state even amid an unfolding second wave.
Vijendera (27) from Madhya Pradesh, who along with his wife and three small children had left for his native place, which was over 1200 km from Jalandhar, on a bicycle last year, is now back in the city. Read more
Even while Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has urged the Union government to accelerate the vaccination drive and widen its ambit, data shows that the state has not yet consumed even half of the total doses supplied by the Centre since the drive started on January 16 this year.
Punjab health officials said that they have received the supply of 19.17 lakh doses (17.80 lakh doses of Covishield and 1.37 lakh doses of Covaxin) till now, of which 3.50 lakh doses were supplied to the armed forces. Read more
More than 320 coronavirus samples from Punjab have been found to have the “UK lineage”, a reference to a new strain of the virus that had emerged in the UK in December, with genetic mutations that have enabled it to spread faster.
This is the most widespread occurrence of the UK variant in the Indian population found till date, and could possibly explain the rapid surge in cases in Punjab in the last few weeks.
The UK, Brazilian and South African variants are not the only ones currently circulating in the Indian population. Read more
Shopkeepers in Vadodara say their businesses witness slump in sale ahead of Holi festival
"We are experiencing a 30%-40% slump in the sale. People are hesitant to come to market in the wake of COVID-19 and the imposed restrictions," said a shopkeeper.
Mumbai recorded 5,185 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest single-day rise since the oubtreak of the pandemic last year. The rise has been attributed to increased testing with the civic body conducting daily Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) at all malls, bus depots, railway stations as well as its 24 administrative wards.
March 24 marks a year to the day year since the nationwide lockdown was announced. Before the lockdown, Mumbai had recorded only 58 positive Covid 19 cases and registered four deaths, while 1,304 residents were under observation as suspected cases, 1,124 had been discharged and 418 international travellers were under quarantine. Read More
For the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak, Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded as many as 31,855 cases, taking the total case load to 25.64 lakh. The active case pool stands at 2.47 lakh.
Nagpur recorded 2,965 fresh cases, Pune 3,566 cases and Aurangabad 899 cases.
The death rate in the state stood at 0.53 per cent in the first fortnight of March, and dropped to 0.33 per cent in days following that. Deaths in absolute numbers in March were 1,425 in the state, a rise from 1,072 in February. Read More
Former national-level hockey player from Maharashtra, William D'Souza, died of Covid-19 in Pune on Tuesday. He was 53.
William, a resident of Khadki, is survived by his wife, two daughters and his mother.
William played as a goalkeeper and after retirement, he took up coaching and was associated with the St Joseph's Convent, Khadki. He was a regular member of Hockey Maharashtra as a manager cum coach. During his stint, he guided the Maharashtra women's team and helped it reach its highest ranking of 4th place in the senior nationals for the past two successive years. Read More
The Bombay High Court Wednesday sought to know from the state government why there cannot be a uniform fine for not wearing masks as per Covid-19 protocols across Maharashtra. The court also asked the state government to inform why there cannot be specific masks for hearing and speech-impaired persons who are facing several issues.
A division bench of Justice S P Deshmukh and Justice G S Kulkarni on Wednesday was hearing a PIL filed by Lokshahiwadi Balasaheb Sarode Smriti Prabodhan Upakram, through advocate Asim Sarode, which said that while the state government had made it compulsory to wear masks, there is no uniformity in the amount collected as fine and it differs from place to place. Read More
The Covid-19 surge continued across the country on Wednesday, with Maharashtra reporting 31,855 fresh cases — its highest single-day spike since the outbreak of the pandemic — and Delhi recording 1,254 new cases, its highest spike in over three months.
Addressing a press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said about 88 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths in the country are in the age group of 45 years and above, making them the most vulnerable section that needs to be protected. Read More
Kerala reported 2,456 new cases of Covid-19 and 10 deaths on Wednesday. The active caseload has gone up to 24,268 whereas the total death toll rose to 4,527.
Kozhikode reported the highest number of cases (333) on Wednesday, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (300) and Kannur (295).
A total of 56,740 samples were tested in the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate stood at 4.33%. Read More
Tamil Nadu reports 1,636 new cases, 1023 recoveries and 12 deaths. Total cases 8,71,440, total recoveries 8,49,064, death toll 12,630, active cases 9,746. (ANI)
Punjab reports 2,634 new cases, 1,455 recoveries and 39 deaths. Total cases 2,20,276; total recoveries 1,93,280; death toll 6,474; active cases 20,522. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh reports 266 new cases and 65 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Total cases 61,301; total recoveries 58,615; death toll 1,014; active cases 1,654. (ANI)
Maharashtra reports 31,855 new COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day spike since the outbreak of the pandemic, says a health official.
The Gujarat government on Wednesday issued a notification banning public celebration of Holi and said the ritual of "Holika Dahan" can be observed in small gatherings amid the COVID-19 situation in the state.
As per the notification issued by the home department, public celebrations and mass functions cannot be allowed on the day of Dhuleti on March 29 due to the prevailing pandemic. (PTI)
Delhi records 1,254 new COVID-19 cases, highest in over 3 months; 6 deaths take toll to 10,973. (PTI)
Kerala reported 2,456 new cases of Covid-19 and 10 deaths on Wednesday. The active caseload has gone up to 24,268 whereas the total death toll rose to 4,527. Kozhikode reported the highest number of cases (333) on Wednesday, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (300) and Kannur (295). Read more
Mumbai reported 5,185 new Covid cases, 2,088 recoveries and 6 deaths today. Total cases 3,74,611, total recoveries 3,31,322, death toll 11,606, active cases 30,760 (ANI)
Gujarat reports 1,790 new cases, 1,277 recoveries and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases 2,92,169, total recoveries 2,78,880, death toll, 4,466, active cases 8,823. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday expressed concern over the spurt in coronavirus cases in the state and appealed to the people to help the government in making its campaigns against the pandemic a success.
The chief minister wrote letters to religious heads, political parties, different organisations and media, seeking their support in making the government's 'Mera Mask Meri Suraksha' and 'Meri Holi Mere Ghar' campaigns successful.
"We need everyone's help in the awareness campaign and whatever steps are required to be taken to break the virus chain, will be taken," a public relations department official quoted Chouhan as saying. (PTI)
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload on Wednesday went up to 3,39,246 after 170 more people tested positive for the virus, the highest daily spike in the last 45 days, a health department official said.
Of the 170 new cases, 99 were reported from quarantine centres, while the remaining 71 were detected during contact tracing, the official said.
The fresh cases included 27 from Nuapada district, 23 each from Cuttack and Khurda districts and 22 from Sundergarh district.
The state's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 1,919 as no new fatalities were reported since Monday. (PTI)
Nagpur district in Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 3,717 new coronavirus cases, its highest single-day figure so far since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, the authorities said.
This rise took the overall number of cases to 2,03,488, the district information office said in a release. The death toll in the district grew to 4,737 as the virus claimed 40 lives during the day. (PTI)
Delhi is heading towards challenging two-three months in the wake of a resurgence in coronavirus cases, though the situation can be kept under control if vaccination is opened up for more people and COVID-19 protocols are strictly adhered to, experts said on Wednesday.
Dr B L Sherwal, the managing director of Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, said, “We expect the numbers to increase in April and May. The problem is that the number of cases could be more as the virus has mutated.”
However, the infection this time is mild to moderate and the case fatality ratio is low, he said. (PTI)
Twenty-two tourists, who had travelled in a bus from Gujarat on a 15-day tour of north India including Uttarakhand, have tested positive for COVID-19, an official said.
The tourists started from Gujarat on March 7 and reached Rishikesh via Pushkar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mathura and Haridwar on March 18.
As some of them were found to have symptoms of fever during thermal screening on their arrival in Rishikesh, their swab samples were taken for RT-PCR test on March 18 and their reports arrived on March 22 confirming that they were infected with the novel coronavirus, in-charge of COVID cases for Narendra Nagar subdivision Jagdish Chandra Joshi said.
There were 50 passengers from Gujarat in the bus out of whom 22 tested positive, he said. (PTI)
The district and civic authorities in Pune on Wednesday announced that Holi celebrations in public and private places are banned amid a surge in the daily count of COVID-19 infections.
In an official order, district collector Rajesh Deshmukh said in light of the rise in cases of coronavirus, Holi celebrations in public spaces such as hotels, resorts and other public spots in the rural areas are banned.
Housing societies are also not permitted to hold Holi celebrations on their premises on March 28 and 29, the order stated.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has also banned celebrations in resorts, hotels, open spaces and housing societies within the city limits. (PTI)
About 88 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths in the country are in the age group of 45 years and above, making them the most vulnerable section that needs to be protected, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the case fatality rate in this age group is 2.85 per cent.
“About 88 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths in the country are taking place in the age group of 45 years and above, making them the most vulnerable group that needs to be protected,” he said, adding that this is the reason behind allowing vaccination for those above 45 years from April 1. (PTI)
Uttarakhand reports 200 new Covid-19 cases and 49 recoveries today. No death was reported. Total cases 98,880, total recoveries 94,634, death toll 1,706, active cases 1,115. (ANI)
The Centre on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that 50 people chosen by the Waqf board can be allowed to offer prayers at the mosque in the Nizamuddin Markaz during the coming festival season once the names of those individuals are provided to the SHO of the area.
The submission was made before Justice Mukta Gupta by the central government during the hearing of a plea seeking opening of the Nizamuddin Markaz where the Tablighi Jamaat congregation was held amid the Covid-19 pandemic and has been locked since March 31 last year. Read more
Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat and four members of his family test positive for Covid-19.
Food ordering platform Swiggy on Wednesday said it would cover the entire vaccination cost for its fleet of over 2 lakh delivery partners across the country.
This comes close on the heels of the central government's announcement on the next phase of the nationwide vaccination commencing April 1, 2021, for individuals aged 45 and above.
In the first tranche of the programme, 5,500 of Swiggy's delivery partners, aged 45 and above will be eligible to opt-in for the vaccination, Swiggy said in a statement.
By the end of the programme, Swiggy hopes to encourage 2,00,000 plus delivery partners with the choice to get vaccinated as they continue to provide an essential service. The company is also requesting authorities for the prioritisation of delivery partners in the vaccine drive, it added. (PTI)
5,08,41,286 coronavirus vaccine doses administered in India till 10 am Wednesday, says Union Health Ministry. It adds that of the total vaccine doses administered, 2,64,52,366 were given to those aged above 60 and those aged 45-60 years with comorbidities. Telangana, Chandigarh, Nagaland and Punjab have low vaccination coverage of healthcare workers, it says. (PTI)