10:16 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
Maharashtra’s single-day cases below 30,000 for second straight day
Maharashtra reported 29,644 new coronavirus infections and 555 fatalities on Friday, which took its cumulative tally to 55,27,092 and toll to 86,618, the state health department said. This was the second consecutive day when the state reported less than 30,000 daily cases.
The state witnessed a drop of 267 cases as compared to Thursday, when it had recorded 29,911 cases.
10:08 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
Canada extends ban on direct flights from India, Pakistan till 21 June
Canada has extended the ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan by one more month until 21 June in a bid to arrest the spread of new variants of the COVID-19, according to an official announcement.
The ban on flights from India and Pakistan was extended as the previous 30-day ban, first imposed on 22 April, was set to expire on Saturday, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News reported.
Cargo flights, however, will be permitted in order to maintain shipments of essential supplies, such as vaccines and personal protective equipment, it said on Friday.
09:58 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
India reported over 71 lakh cases in the first 21 days of May
The surge in coronavirus cases in the second wave in India during the first 21 days of May crossed 70 lakh on Friday, becoming the deadliest month of the pandemic so far.
In just 21 days, May has recorded over 71.3 lakh cases, accounting for over 27.3 percent of total infections detected since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. India continues to record more than 2.5 lakh daily cases. While cases have declined by around 35 percent from the peak, deaths are still high.
09:38 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
India’s single-day deaths at 4,194
With the death of 4,194 more patients in the past 24 hours, the total number of fatalities in the country climbed to 2.95 lakh, said the Union health ministry on Saturday. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.12 percent.
09:34 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
India adds 2.57 new COVID-19 cases
India registered 2,57,299 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the cumulative tally over 2.62 crore, said the Union health ministry on Saturday.
09:31 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
Centre widened vaccination drive without considering stock, says SII
Amid an acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in the country, executive director of Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) Suresh Jadhav on Friday alleged that the government began inoculating people from multiple age groups without taking into account the available stock of vaccines and the WHO guidelines.
Speaking at an e-summit organised by Heal Health, health advocacy and awareness platform, Jadhav said the country should have followed the WHO guidelines and prioritised vaccination accordingly.
Initially, 30 crore people were to be administered the vaccine for which 60 crore doses were required. But before we reached the target, the government opened vaccination for all above 45 years followed by those aged 18 and above despite “knowing well that so much vaccine is not available”, Jadhav said.
09:28 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
Thane’s daily cases up by 887, toll by 61
The coronavirus caseload in Thane district of Maharashtra climbed to 5,07,316 with the addition of 887 cases, an official said on Saturday.
These cases were reported on Friday, when the virus also claimed the lives of 61 persons, pushing the toll in the district to 8,768. Thane’s COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.72 percent now, he added.
09:26 (IST)
Coronavirus Latest Updates
Delhi govt think tank delivers over 2,300 oxygen concentrators to hospitals
Tech-based solutions and selfless contribution of several individuals and organisations saw Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC), a premier think-tank of the Delhi government, deliver over 2,300 oxygen concentrators to several government hospitals here, a statement said.
The DDC has been coordinating with donors wanting to support the Delhi government’s COVID-19 response amid the second wave of the pandemic, it said.
“Following the appeal of Honorable chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to all sections of the society to come forward and support Delhi govt’s efforts to fight coronavirus , several donors have come forward to give critical medical supplies to Delhi government hospitals,” Jasmine Shah, vice-chairperson of DDC, said in the statement.
Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates: India registered 2,57,299 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the cumulative tally over 2.62 crore, said the Union health ministry on Saturday.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has surpassed 19.32 crore, the Union health ministry said on Friday.
It said 6,63,353 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose on Friday, and cumulatively 92,73,550 across 37 states and UTs since the start of phase-3 of the vaccination drive.
The 92,73,550 beneficiaries include 11,83,124 from Rajasthan, 10,60,702 from Bihar, 8,85,881 from Delhi, 6,82,744 from Maharashtra, 9,60,032 from Uttar Pradesh, 6,71,800 from Haryana and 6,02,691 from Gujarat.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 19,32,97,222, according to the provisional report updated till 8 pm.
The total of 19,32,97,222 include 97,37,237 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 66,89,893 HCWs who have taken the second dose.
It also includes 1,48,63,770 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose, 83,05,152 FLWs who have taken the second dose, and 92,73,550 individuals in the 18-44 years of age group who have received the first dose.
Besides, 6,01,86,416 and, 96,79,427 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose respectively, while, 5,63,74,895 and 1,81,86,882 beneficiaries above 60 years have taken the first and second dose.
As on 126th day of the vaccination drive (21 May), a total of 13,83,358 vaccine doses were given.
The ministry said 12,05,727 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 1,77,631 beneficiaries received the second dose of vaccine as per the provisional report till 8 pm. Final reports would be completed for the day by late night.
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, the ministry underlined.