Coronavirus India Live updates: Maharashtra recorded 34,848 new Covid-19 cases, 59,073 discharges and 960 deaths in the last 24 hours. The state’s active case count currently stands at 4,94,032.
The overall Covid-19 situation in the country is stabilizing and the government will work towards ensuring further stabilisation, NITI Aayog member V K Paul said Saturday. At a press conference, top health officials said 10 states account for 85 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in the country.
The Union Health Ministry said 11 states have over one lakh active COVID-19 cases, 17 have less than 50,000 cases while eight have active cases between 50,000 and one lakh.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the country’s Covid-19 situation on Saturday. Following reports of ventilators lying unutilised, Modi called for an immediate audit of those provided to the states by the Central government. He also said that states should be transparent while reporting their cases as high numbers does not mean that they have not done enough to contain the virus.
The West Bengal government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown across the state for a fortnight from 6 am on Sunday, May 16 to 6 pm on May 30. It also imposed a night curfew, which will be observed every night from 9 pm to 5 am, beginning Sunday night.
Meanwhile, with the lockdown in place for close to four weeks, Covid cases in Delhi have finally started to dip. Delhi reported 6,500 cases in the past 24 hours and the positivity rate has also dipped to 11 per cent, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. He also said that Oxygen concentrator banks are being set up in each Delhi district for those under home isolation. They can be delivered to the patient’s home in 2 hours.
India reported 3,26,098 new Covid-19 cases and 3,890 deaths in the last 24 hours ending 8 am on Saturday, as per Union Health Ministry. It also reported 3,53,299 recoveries during the same period. With today’s count, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 2,43,72,907 and the number of fatalities stands at 2,66,207. Active cases dropped by more than 31,000 cases to 36.73 lakh.
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Coronavirus India LIVE updates: India reports 3,26,098 new cases, 3,890 deaths; Bengal announces lockdown; Delhi cases fall below 10,000; Sputnik V priced at Rs 995 in India; Maharashtra wants 50% doses of Bharat Bio's Pune plant. Follow latest updates here
22:32 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Azad writes to PM, suggests measures to ramp up vaccine manufacturing, health infra
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday suggested involvement of major vaccine manufacturing companies to speed up production of Covid-19 vaccines and re-hiring of recently retired nursing and paramedical staff to undertake the inoculation drive on a "mission mode" across the country.
The former union health minister also suggested improving oxygen availability and strengthening the field infrastructure by optimum use of pre-fabricated beds and units to set up additional health facilities and vaccination sites. Azad, who was recently nominated as the head of a 13-member Congress party task force to coordinate Covid-19 relief, made the four suggestions in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and expressed hope that these "constructive suggestions" would be considered positively.
Highlighting the shortage of the vaccine, human resource, infrastructure and oxygen, he said his suggestions are meant to further supplement the efforts being made by both central and state governments, different organisations and extraordinary contribution by frontline workers including doctors and security forces. (PTI)
22:31 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Karnataka CM to review Covid-19 situation on May 17
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will review the Covid-19 situation with deputy commissioners (DCs), zilla panchayat CEOs, police superintendents, health officers and surgeons of all districts on May 17, his office said on Saturday. The Chief Minister's meetings come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video conference with deputy commissioners of 17 districts of the state on May 18 to take stock of Covid-19 situation, the office said.
The DCs of Uttara Kannada, Hassan, Ballari, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Kolar, Kodagu, Bengaluru Urban, Udupi, Bengaluru Rural, Shivamogga, Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Mandya and Chikballapur districts will be part of PM's video conferencing, it said. (PTI)
22:05 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Delhi govt has written to Dr Reddy's for 67 lakh doses of Sputnik V vaccine: Kejriwal
Amid vaccine shortage faced by Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said his government has written to Dr Reddy's Laboratories for supply of around 67 lakh doses of Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V. Dr Reddy's Laboratories launched Sputnik V — the first foreign-made vaccine being used in the country — on Friday. Kejriwal's announcement came after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had claimed earlier this week that Covaxin manufacturer Bharat Biotech had refused to provide additional doses to the national capital.
"We have asked for 67 lakh doses each of Covishield and Covaxin and have written to Dr Reddy's who are dealers of Sputnik in India for nearly the same quantity," Kejriwal told reporters. The response from Dr Reddy's is awaited, the chief minister said. "We have asked them (Dr Reddy's) how many doses and by what time they can provide. No response has come from their side as yet," Kejriwal said. (PTI)
22:03 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
SII doing best to ramp up Covid-19 vaccine production, says Adar Poonawala
Serum Institute of India (SII) is doing its best to ramp up the production of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield to cater todemand in the country, Adar Poonawalla said on Saturday. Responding to a tweet by JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal, Poonawalla said the vaccine major is doing itsbest to introduce vaccines on priority for the Indian market.
"Yes@sajjanjindal, we at @SerumInstIndia are doing our best toramp up production & launch new vaccines on priority for India. We aregrateful for @TheJSWGroup efforts in trying to fulfill India'smedical oxygen needs as we stand together in this fight against this pandemic,"Poonawalla said in a tweet. (PTI)
21:47 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
India to have 51.6 crore vaccine doses by July: Harsh Vardhan
The number of vaccine doses administered in India will reach 51.6 crore by the end of July, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday. India has so far administered over 18 crore jabs to eligible beneficiaries.
Vardhan, during his discussion with the health ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, said vaccine production was being ramped up to cater to the increased demand. "Production of vaccines is being steadily ramped up to cater to increased demand while vaccines that are being produced now continue to be equitably apportioned and swiftly sent to States/Union Territories. "We will have 51.6 crore vaccine doses by the end of July including the 18 crore doses already administered. Sputnik has been approved. This along with the slated approval of the new vaccine of Zydus Cadila, Serum Institute of India- Novavax vaccine, Bharat Biotech's nasal vaccine and the Genova mRNA vaccine will push the availability of COVID vaccines to 216 crore doses in the August-December period," he said. (PTI)
21:44 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
No home isolation in rural areas and slums in urban areas of Karnataka: Government
The Karnataka government on Saturday decided not to allow home isolation of Covid patients in rural areas and slums in urban regions, and to make necessary arrangements to ensure they get admitted mandatorily in Covid Care Centres (CCCs). At the meeting of the state's Covid task force held here today, several decisions were made with regard to ICU beds, oxygenated beds, vaccination, drugs and consumables procurement, black fungal mitigation, and strengthening of health infrastructure in both rural and urban areas.
"In rural areas also Covid infected are currently going for home isolation. It has been decided to stop this immediately and all those infected should be admitted to isolation centres or CCCs for treatment," Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan said. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the DCM who also heads the task force said, CCCs will be established at PHC level. (PTI)
21:22 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Ghulam Nabi Azad expresses concern over high Covid deaths in J&K
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad discussed the coronavirus situation with Jammu and Kashmir unit president G A Mir on Saturday, expressing concern over the high number of fatalities. Days after being nominated as the head of party's Covid Task Force, Azad also reviewed the efforts of the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration to tackle the pandemic, a party spokesperson said.
Azad, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and Mir held detailed discussions over the current Covid situation amid reports of shortcomings in the required facilities, the spokesperson said. The former Union health minister expressed deep concern over the high number of casualties, especially in Jammu, and urged for immediate measures to save the loss of lives, according to the spokesperson. (PTI)
21:02 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covid-19 in Tamil Nadu: 33,658 new cases, 303 deaths reported
Tamil Nadu on Saturday recorded 33,658 new Covid-19 cases in the single biggest day spike so far. The cases, including seven returnees from various destinations, pushed the caseload to 15,65,035 while a record 303 deaths in the last 24 hours took the toll to 17,359. According to a medical bulletin, 20,905 people were discharged today, taking the tally to 13,39,887 leaving 2,07,789 active infections. Chennai accounted for 6,640 new infections totalling 4,32,344 till date.
The metropolis leads also in the number of fatalities at 5,703. The number of samples tested today were 1,64,945 pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined so far to 2,49,50,403. Besides Chennai, Chengalpet added 2,013 cases, Coimbatore 3,124, Kancheepuram 1,521, Kanyakumari 1,237, Madurai 1,231, Tiruvallur 1,551, Tiruppur 1,008, Tiruchirappalli 1,263 while remaining districts clocked new infections in triple digits. (PTI)
21:01 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Political parties, civil societies should unitedly fight against Covid-19: Jitendra Singh
Union minister Jitendra Singh Saturday said all political parties and civil societies should unitedly fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. He said, at this hour of calamity, we are expected to leave all the other issues, priorities or agendas aside and strive for the survival of humanity, according to an official statement.
Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, dispatched the second consignment of Covid-related material for his Lok Sabha constituency of Udhampur-Kathua-Doda in Jammu and Kashmir. While sending off the carriage carrying separate kits, he said that among the various items included are 80,000 face masks and nearly 1,000 packs of hand sanitisers, besides a wide range of accessories and articles for use in Covid pandemic. Singh asked all political parties and senior members of civil society to rise above all differences and unitedly fight Covid. He said, because of the lockdown conditions, the transportation of the material to his constituency and then its further distribution in different parts including far-flung regions is not an easy task. (PTI)
20:59 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Plasma therapy not effective, likely to be dropped from clinical management guidelines on Covid-19
Plasma therapy on Covid-19 patients has not been found effective in reducing the progression to severe disease or death and is likely to be dropped from the clinical management guidelines, sources said. In a meeting of the ICMR-National Task Force for Covid-19 on Friday, all members were in favour of removing the use of convalescent plasma from the Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult Covid-19 Patients citing its ineffectiveness and inappropriate use in several cases, they said.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will issue an advisory on the matter soon, they said. The present guidelines allows "off label" use of plasma therapy at the stage of early moderate disease, that is, within seven days of the onset of symptoms and if there is availability of a high titre donor plasma. The decision to remove it from the guidelines comes in the backdrop of some clinicians and scientists writing to Principal Scientific Advisor K VijayRaghavan cautioning against the "irrational and non-scientific use" of convalescent plasma for Covid-19 in the country. (PTI)
20:55 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Maharashtra logs 34,848 fresh Covid-19 cases, 960 deaths
Maharashtra recorded 34,848 new Covid-19 cases, 59,073 discharges and 960 deaths in the last 24 hours. The state’s active case count currently stands at 4,94,032.
20:29 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Jammu and Kashmir records 3,677 fresh cases, 63 deaths
Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday recorded 3,677 fresh Covid-19 cases, raising the tally to 2,40,467, while 63 more deaths pushed the fatality count to 3,090 in the union territory, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 1,728 were reported from the Jammu division and 1,949 from the Kashmir division of the union territory, they said.
The officials said Jammu district recorded the highest 621 cases, followed by 404 in Srinagar district and 390 in Pulwama district. The number of active cases dropped to 51,475 in the union territory, while 1,85,902 patients have recovered so far, they said. (PTI)
20:12 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Telangana sees 4,298 fresh Covid-19 cases, 32 deaths
Telangana reports 4,298 new Covid-19 cases, 6026 recoveries and 32 fatalities on Saturday. (ANI)
19:54 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Banned ULFA (I) outfit announces ceasefire for 3 months due to Covid-19
The banned United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA – I) – on Saturday announced it would halt all operations for the next three months citing the Covid-19 pandemic. The development comes close on the heels of two kidnappings by the outfit and a grenade blast killing two, for which the militant organisation is suspected.
On Friday, two persons were killed in a grenade blast in Digboi in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Friday, and the police said they suspect the ULFA-I to be behind it. The banned militant outfit, however, has denied any association with the blast through a media statement. (Read Abhishek Saha's report)
19:51 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Madhya Pradesh records 7,571 fresh Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours
7,571 fresh Covid-19 cases, 72 deaths and 11,973 recoveries reported in Madhya Pradesh in last 24 hours. (ANI)
19:49 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covid-19: 149 deaths, 13,565 fresh virus cases in Rajasthan
As many as 149 people died from coronavirus in Rajasthan on Saturday as 13,565 fresh cases surfaced, pushing the state's infection count to 8,49,379, according to an official report. So far, the infection has killed 6,621 people in the state. The maximum 41 deaths and 2,605 fresh cases were reported from Jaipur, according to the report.
The number of active cases came down to 2,08,688 from Friday's 2,12,753. A total of 6,34,070 patients have recovered from the infection since its outbreak last year, the report said. (PTI)
19:48 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
No denial of vaccine, essential services for lack of Aadhaar, says UIDAI
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Saturday asserted that no one should be denied vaccine, medicine, hospitalisation or treatment just because they do not have an Aadhaar. The UIDAI made it clear that Aadhaar should not be misused as an excuse for denial of any essential service. The statement assumes significance given the second severe wave of COVID-19 pandemic, which has swept through the nation.
In a statement, the UIDAI said there is a well-established exception handling mechanism (EHM) for Aadhaar, and that it should be followed to ensure delivery of benefits and services in the absence of the 12-digit biometric ID. If a resident does not possess Aadhaar for some or the other reason, they must not be denied essential services as per Aadhaar Act. "No one shall be denied vaccine, medicine, hospitalisation or treatment for want of Aadhaar," UIDAI said flagging certain reports which claimed that some essential services like hospitalisation, were being denied to the residents for want of Aadhaar. (PTI)
19:41 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Bengal sees record-high 144 deaths in last 24 hours
West Bengal registers 144 new Covid-19 fatalities, highest so far in single day and 19,511 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, the health department's bulletin informed. (PTI)
19:37 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
'Corona' curfew extended till May 24 in Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday extended till May 24 the curfew imposed across the union territory to slow the spread of coronavirus. The curfew was scheduled to end on May 17.
"The Corona Curfew imposed in all 20 distts (districts) of J&K till 7 am on Monday, 17/5/21 is extended further till 7 am on Monday, 24/5/21. The curfew will be strict except for a few essential services," the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) said in a tweet on its official handle. Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday recorded 3,677 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infected persons to 2,40,467, while the death toll in the union territory rose to 3,090 with 63 more fatalities in a 24-hour period. (PTI)
19:34 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Govid-19: Goa government to take over admissions at private hospitals from Monday
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Saturday that the state government will take control of admissions at private hospitals which did not comply with the order of earmarking 50% of their beds for Covid-19 patients. “We will take control of admissions at these hospitals from Monday. The government will pay for the treatment at these hospitals,” he added. (ANI)
19:30 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Tamil Nadu Governor donates Rs 1 crore towards Covid-19 mitigation efforts
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday donated a sum of Rs 1 crore to the state government towards Covid-19 containment measures, the Raj Bhavan said. Purohit gave a cheque for the amount to Chief Minister MK Stalin who met him at the Raj Bhavan, it said in an official release here.
"As a part of shouldering the responsibility of the Government of Tamil Nadu at this critical situation, the Governor of Tamil Nadu has donated Rs 1 crore from his Discretionary grant and as his own contribution of one month emoluments to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund," it said. (PTI)
19:29 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
281 more die of Covid-19 in UP; state reports 12,547 fresh cases
Uttar Pradesh on Saturday registered 281 fresh Covid-19 fatalities, raising the death toll to 17,283, while the infection count climbed to 16,09,140 with 12,547 more cases, according to the official data. Of the fresh Covid-19 deaths, Meerut reported 19 fatalities, Chandauli 15, Kanpur 14, Lucknow and Auriaya 12 each. Ten deaths each were reported from Jhansi and Gautam Buddh Nagar, the state government said in a statement issued here. Of the 12,547 new cases, 879 were reported from Meerut, 801 from Gorakhpur and 617 from Lucknow. (PTI)
19:15 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Karnataka records over 40,000 fresh Covid-19 cases,349 deaths
Karnataka reports 41,664 new Covid-19 cases, 34,425 discharges, and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours. (ANI)
Karnataka reports 41,664 new COVID-19 cases, 34,425 discharges, and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 6,05,494
Total recoveries: 15,44,982
Death toll: 21,434 pic.twitter.com/sQvlAhutu1
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
19:12 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Mumbai reports 1,147 new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours
Mumbai reports 1,147 new Covid-19 cases, 2,333 recoveries, and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours. (ANI)
Mumbai reports 1,147 new COVID-19 cases, 2,333 recoveries, and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 36,674
Total recoveries: 6,34,315
Death toll: 14,200 pic.twitter.com/ihgJ7QdA2o
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
19:06 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covid-19: Andhra clocks 22,517 new cases, 98 deaths
The cumulative coronavirus positive cases touched 14,11,320 in Andhra Pradesh as 22,517 infections were added afresh in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Saturday. The state also reported 98 Covid-19 fatalities while 18,739 patients had recovered in a day, the latest bulletin said. The last one lakh cases also came in five days as the state logged over 20,000 cases per day since May 11.
The total recoveries increased to 11,94,582 and toll to 9,271, the bulletin said. The active caseload in the state was now 2,07,467. East Godavari district reported 3,383 fresh cases, Anantapuramu 2,975 and Chittoor 2,884 in 24 hours. SPS Nellore and Vizianagaram added close to 1,000 new cases each while eight other districts registered between 1,000 and 2,000 each. (PTI)
19:00 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Kerala logs 32,680 fresh Covid-19 cases, 96 deaths
Kerala reported 32,680 fresh Covid-19 cases on Saturday, pushing the caseload to 20,88,208, while the toll mounted to 6,339 with96 more deaths, the stategovernment said. As many as 29,442 persons have been cured, taking the recoveries to 16,66,232 and the active cases to 4,45,334.
In the last 24 hours ending 2 pm, 1,22,628 samples were tested and the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 26.65 per cent, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here. So far, 1,78,12,355 samples have been tested. Those who tested positive today included 99 health workers. Of the positive cases, 296 people had come from outside the state and 29,969 were infected through contact. (PTI)
18:58 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Goa sees 1,957 new Covid-19 cases, 58 deaths in last 24 hours
Goa on Saturday reported 3,512 recoveries against 1,957 fresh coronavirus positive cases, while 58 patients died, a health department official said. Goa's overall caseload now stands at 1,34,542 while the death toll reached 2,056, he said.
A total of 3,512 patients recovered during the day, taking the number of recoveries in Goa so far to 1,01,712, the official said, adding the coastal state is now left with 30,774 active cases. With 5571 new tests, the total number of samples examined so far in Goa went up to 7,53,271, he added. (PTI)
18:37 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Plea in SC seeks establishment of medical oxygen plants in all 738 districts using PM-CARES Fund
A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking various relief measures for the pandemic-ravaged country, including immediate procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and installation of a liquid medical oxygen (LMO) plant in each of the 738 districts using donations received under the PM-CARES Fund. The petitioner has made the Centre, the National Disaster Management Authority, the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES) Fund and all states as parties in the plea.
"Direct (PM-CARES FUND) to first fund...for immediate procurement (by importing and/or otherwise) of (a) Covid-19 Vaccine; (b) oxygen plants/generators...and forthwith installation thereof in 738 district government hospitals throughout the country," the plea filed by lawyer Viplava Sharma said, adding that poor citizens should get oxygen free of cost. The plea, which may come up for hearing next week, has also sought a direction to the Centre and states to ensure that all private and charitable hospitals also install plants for producing medical oxygen. It has sought direction to states and union territories to set up electric and other crematoriums in all cities and also maintain and improve the condition of existing electric crematoriums. (PTI)
18:33 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Haryana govt hiding figures of Covid infections, deaths: Congress
Haryana Congress unit chief Kumari Selja on Saturday attacked the BJP-led government in the state, alleging that it is hiding figures of Covid-19 infected and fatalities. She also said black marketing of medicines, which are required for treatment of coronavirus patients, and oxygen cylinders has "broken all records". "The spread of the coronavirus is increasing rapidly in the state. Instead of preventing it, the government has been making false statements and claims. The figures of those infected and deaths are being hidden," the Congress leader said.
There is a huge shortage of doctors and health workers in hospitals, and the situation in government health facilities in the state is that relatives have to look after their ailing themselves, Selja claimed. "People are not getting treatment. For the last several days, the situation in rural areas has become worse," she told an online press conference. (PTI)
18:25 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covishield stock to last 6 days for 45+ age group after Delhi received its 1.73 lakh doses: Atishi
The Delhi government received over 1.73 lakh doses of Covishield on Saturday and the stocks of this vaccine will last for another six days for the 45 plus age group as well as frontline and health care workers, AAP MLA Atishi said. She said the stocks of Covaxin will last for another three days. There was no vaccination on Friday since it was a holiday owing to Eid, she said while issuing the vaccination bulletin. There is no Covaxin stock available for the 18-44 years age group while the stock of Covishield will last for another eight days, she said. (PTI)
18:22 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Jharkhand Covid-19 fatalities plunge 37% of average in May
Jharkhand on Saturday saw its fresh fatalities plunge below 100 for the third time in May at 76, with capital Ranchi also witnessing COVID-19 related deaths coming down to 28. This is a 37 per cent dip, compared to an average 121 fatalities during May so far. The death toll in the state has climbed to 4,366, as per a Health Department bulletin. Ranchi district recorded 28 new fatalities as compared to 40 a day before.
The state had recorded 97 fatalities each on May 13 and May 10 while to date this month, the highest number of 159 deaths was registered on May 2. A look at the health bulletin of the state suggests that prominent cities of Jharkhand like Ranchi,East Singhbhum with headquarter at Jamshedpur,Bokaro, Hazaribag, Dhanbad and Ramgarh are witnessing an increasing trend of Covid-19 cases, while relatively backward districts including Dumka, Garwah, Chatra and Gumla are logging lesser number of infections.
18:16 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
People queue up outside liquor stores in Kolkata as state govt imposes lockdown till May 30
People line up outside liquor shops in different parts of Kolkata ahead of the imposition of a two-week lockdown starting at 6 am tomorrow. The state chief secretary has said that liquor shops will remain closed during the lockdown. (ANI)
West Bengal: People line up outside liquor shops in different parts of Kolkata ahead of the imposition of a two-week lockdown starting at 6 am tomorrow.
The state chief secretary has said that liquor shops will remain closed during the lockdown. pic.twitter.com/3uRJZo5S9A
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
18:08 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Karnataka decides to utilise DMF fund to purchase oxygen tankers, concentrators, pulse-oximeters
The Karnataka government on Saturday decided to utilise the funds under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund for purchase of oxygen tankers, oxygen concentrators, pulse-oximeters and other emergency medical needs, to fight Covid. The decision was taken in the meeting presided by Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani with senior officials, his office said in a statement.
The Minister has now allowed authorities to use the DMF funds to procure oxygen tankers and other medical equipment needed urgently to treat Covid-19 patients, it said. "The state government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against the pandemic," Nirani was quoted as saying. (PTI)
17:50 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
We facing this situation as govt, admin, public have become negligent: RSS chief
We are facing this situation as govt, administration and public - all became negligent after first COVID wave: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
17:39 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
India needs proper vaccine strategy, govt's 'disastrous policy' will ensure 3rd wave: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for a national vaccine strategy and claimed that the government's "disastrous" inoculation policy will "ensure a devastating third wave" in the country.
He also accused the prime minister of making "mother Ganga cry" after bodies of suspected coronavirus victims were found floating in the river.
"The Government of India's (GOI's) disastrous vaccine strategy will ensure a devastating third wave. It can't be repeated enough - India needs a proper vaccine strategy," he said on Twitter. Tagging media reports claiming that over 2,000 bodies have been found in 1140 km area along the Ganga, he alleged, "One who used to say 'Ganga' has called him has made Mother Ganga cry." (PTI)
17:33 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Overall coronavirus situation stabilising in India: Govt
The overall COVID-19 situation in the country is stabilizing and the government will work towards ensuring further stabilisation, NITI Aayog member V K Paul said on Saturday.
At a press conference on Saturday, top health officials said 10 states account for 85 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in the country.
The Union Health Ministry said 11 states have over one lakh active COVID-19 cases, 17 have less than 50,000 cases while eight have active cases between 50,000 and one lakh. It also said Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, which are recording a high number of novel coronavirus cases, are also reporting decline in the number of active cases. (PTI)
17:29 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
P Chidambaram appeals to scientists, medical experts to not fall in govt trap regarding vaccine dose extension date
When govt has increased gap between the 1st and 2nd dose of the Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks, the UK is announcing that they’re going back to the gap of 8 weeks, at least for people over the age of 50. I'm not competent to second guess the scientists & medical experts but my humble appeal to them is please don’t play the game of the govt. The govt is laying a trap in which scientists & medical experts will fall & the govt will pass the blame on them. Please make up your mind and speak the truth irrespective of the government what's from you to say or the government says independently: Congress leader P Chidambaram (ANI)
17:23 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Have to stay positive and take precautions in current situation: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
We have to stay positive and take precautions to keep ourselves COVID negative in current situation, said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at a lecture series
17:18 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Public, government, admin became complacent after first Covid-19 wave: Mohan Bhagwat
All of us — the general public, government and administration — became complacent after the first wave. Doctors were indicating but we became complacent. That's why we're facing this problem. Now there are talks of the third wave, but we don't have to fear but prepare ourselves: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
All of us - general public, Govt & admin - became complacent after the first wave. Doctors were indicating but we became complacent. That's why we're facing this problem. Now there are talks of the third wave but we don't have to fear but prepare ourselves:RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat pic.twitter.com/FwDQZLIAmi
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
16:35 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Air India airlifts 35 tonnes of zeolite used in oxygen production plants from Rome
Air India said it was airlifting 35 tonnes of zeolite mineral used in oxygen production plants on two flights from Rome to Bengaluru on Saturday.
India has been badly hit by the second wave of the novel coronavirus infection as hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen and drugs.
“The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the charterer for the zeolite consignments,” Air India said in a statement.
Additionally, the national carrier is going to airlift zeolite mineral for DRDO from multiple locations across the world during the coming weeks.
"Seven charter flights have been scheduled between May 15-18 from Rome to Bangalore. This will be followed by eight charter flights from Korea to Bangalore between May 19-22.
"Further, we have uplift from USA through our existing scheduled flights from EWR (Newark Liberty International Airport) between May 20-25. Next part of this exercise is from Brussels, Tokyo and again USA, in the following weeks," the statement stated. (PTI)
16:33 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covid-19: Curfew extended in Himachal Pradesh till May 26
The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to extend the coronavirus-induced curfew in the state till May 26. The decision to extend the curfew was taken in a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday. Informing about the cabinet decisions, state Parliamentary Minister Suresh Bhardwaj told the media that the three-hour daily relaxation in the curfew would be provided for opening essential commodity shops. The minister said hardware shops would also open on Tuesday and Friday. (PTI)
16:24 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
No decision to impose lockdown yet, says Tripura CM amid spike in Covid cases
Even as Covid-19 cases surge across the country, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb Saturday stated that his government has not taken any decision yet on imposing lockdown in any part of the state.
Deb’s comments come amid widespread rumours that lockdown might be imposed in Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) areas soon. (Read Debraj Deb's report)
16:21 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Magisterial inquiry ordered into death of Covid patient in J&K's Poonch
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of a 65-year-old Covid-19 patient after her relatives alleged medical negligence by doctors during her treatment. Poonch District Magistrate Inder Jeet ordered the inquiry and asked the inquiry officer, Additional Deputy Commissioner Basharat Hussain, to submit his report within seven days, officials said.
In an order, the DM said a video went viral on social media after the woman, a resident of Mangnar village of Haveli Tehsil, succumbed to Covid-19 at Poonch district hospital on Friday with her relatives accusing the hospital authorities of negligence in handling the case. The order said the Medical superintendent, district hospital, Poonch has reported that the attendant manhandled the doctor on duty. (PTI)
16:12 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
10,953 oxygen concentrators, 13,169 cylinders and 4.9 lakh Remdesivir vials delivered to states: Centre
A total of 10,953 oxygen concentrators, 13,169 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen-generation plants and 4.9 lakh remdesivir vials received as global aid were delivered or dispatched to various states and Union Territories from April 27 to May 13, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. The major consignments received on May 13/14 from the US, Italy, Canada, South Korea, Oman, the UK and Japan include 157 oxygen concentrators, 900 oxygen cylinders and 338 ventilators/BiPAP/CPAP.
According to the ministry, 68,810 vials of remdesivir and 1,000 units of tocilizumab were also received from these countries on May 13/14. Cumulatively, 10,953 oxygen concentrators, 13,169 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen-generation plants, 6,835 ventilators or BiPAP and about 4.9 lakh remdesivir vials have been delivered or dispatched through road and air from April 27 to May 13, it said. "Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states and union territories and institutions is an ongoing exercise," it said. (PTI)
16:07 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Odisha's Covid-19 tally crosses six-lakh mark, death toll at 2,294
The Covid-19 tally in Odisha crossed the six-lakh mark on Saturday as 11,805 more people tested positive for the infection, while 21 fresh fatalities pushed the state's death toll to 2,294, a health department official said. With these new infections, the caseload of coronavirus disease reached 6,00,492 in the coastal state, he said.
At least 6,611 fresh cases were reported from quarantine centres and 5,194 detected during contact tracing. Khurda district, which comprises the state capital Bhubaneswar, reported the highest number of new cases at 1,414, followed by Sundargarh (1,209) and Cuttack (1197). Taking to Twitter, the Health and Family Welfare Department said, "Regret to inform the demise of twenty-one Covid positive patients while under treatment in hospitals." (PTI)
16:05 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
40% of Punjab's Covid deaths occurred in last 44 days
Around 40 per cent of the total Covid-19-related fatalities in Punjab took place in the last forty-four days, indicating the severity of the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. Punjab had reported a total of 6,868 deaths due to the infection as on March 31. The death toll rose to 11,477 as on May 14, showing 4,609 more people succumbing to the disease since April 1 this year, the state Health Department's data revealed.
The health officials had earlier pointed out that the delay in approaching hospitals for treatment by patients with severe symptoms and comorbidities were the main reasons behind fatalities. Punjab witnessed a record 217 deaths because of the contagion in a single day on May 11. The state has been seeing more than 100 fatalities daily for the past several days. Ludhiana is one of the worst-affected districts in Punjab as it has registered 538 deaths between April 1 and May 14, 2021, as per the data. Besides, Amritsar reported 515 more deaths due to the contagion between April 1 and May 14. During the same period, Patiala saw 396 deaths, Bathinda 349, Mohali 307 and Jalandhar 301, as per the data. (PTI)
15:50 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Fungal, bacterial infections causing more mortality among Covid-19 patients: AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria
AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, while speaking of increasing cases of fungal and bacterial infections among Covid-19 patients, said: “As Covid-19 cases are increasing, it's of paramount importance that we follow protocols of infection control practices at hospitals. It is been seen that secondary infections — fungal & bacterial — are causing more mortality. Mucormycosis spores are found in soil, air & even in food. But they're of low virulence & usually don't causes infection. There were very few cases of this infection before Covid.”
He added, “At AIIMS, 23 patients are being treated for this fungal infection. Out of them, 20 are still Covid-19 positive and the rest are negative. Many states have reported more than 500 cases of Mucormycosis. This disease (Mucormycosis) can affect the face, infecting nose, orbit of eye, or brain, which can cause even vision loss. It can also spread to the lung.”
As COVID-19 cases are increasing, it's of paramount importance that we follow protocols of infection control practices at hospitals. It is been seen that secondary infections -- fungal & bacterial -- are causing more mortality: AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria pic.twitter.com/xQ85pKFTNO
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
15:42 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Tamil Nadu cause of concern says Union Health Ministry official
The cause of concern is Tamil Nadu where a rise in number of active cases has been reported in last one week. However, our containment efforts are working. Overall positivity rate in India, which stood at 21.9% last week has now fallen to 19.8%. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have reported a major drop in case positivity: Lav Aggarwal, Union Health Ministry. (ANI)
Our containment efforts are working. Overall positivity rate in India, which stood at 21.9% last week has now fallen to 19.8%. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have reported a major drop in case positivity: Lav Aggarwal, Union Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/1Fkhq55iu5
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
15:29 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
11 states with more than 1 lakh Covid-19 cases: Centre
11 states with more than 1 lakh active Covid-19 cases. Eight states with active cases between 50,000 and 1 lakh, says Union Health Ministry. It added that 85 per cent of coronavirus cases are from 10 states. (PTI)
15:13 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Testing needs to be scaled up further in areas with high positivity rates: PM
PM Narendra Modi instructed that COVID-19 testing needs to be scaled up further in areas with high test positivity rates. He further added that it's important to ensure proper distribution of oxygen supply in rural areas.
15:11 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Training should be provided to health workers in operation of ventilators: PM Modi
"Necessary training should be provided to health workers in operation of ventilators, other equipment," said PM Modi. He also said states be encouraged to report COVID numbers transparently without any pressure of high tally showing adversely on their efforts.
15:09 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covid testing up from around 50 lakh per week in early March to around 1.3 crore per week now: PM Modi
Empower ASHA, anganwadi workers with all necessary tools to boost fight in rural areas, says PM Narendra Modi, adding that COVID-19 testing up from around 50 lakh per week in early March to around 1.3 crore per week now.
15:08 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Localised containment strategies are need of the hour: PM Modi
"Localised containment strategies are need of the hour. Important to ensure proper distribution of oxygen supply in rural areas," said PM Narendra Modi at COVID-19 review meet.
15:06 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Covid situation today
PM Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on the #COVID19 related situation and vaccination today.
14:55 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s brother dies of Covid-19
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s brother Ashim Banerjee died of Covid-related complications in Kolkata on Saturday. He was 60. Ashim was undergoing treatment at a private hospital since contracting the virus. The last rites will be conducted on Saturday as per Covid protocols.
14:33 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s brother dies of Covid-19
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s brother Ashim Banerjee died of Covid-related complications in Kolkata on Saturday. He was 60.
Ashim was undergoing treatment at a private hospital since contracting the virus. The last rites will be conducted on Saturday as per Covid protocols.
The state on Friday recorded its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 10,94,802, the health department said in its bulletin. The death toll rose to 12,993 after 136 more people succumbed to the infection.
14:24 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Ghulam Nabi Azad writes to PM, suggests measures to ramp up vaccine manufacturing, health infra
Former Union health minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting measures to increase COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in the country, party officials said. In his letter, a copy of which has also been sent to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Azad has also given suggestions for further augmenting health infrastructure in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, they said here.
Congress officials said the former Rajya Sabha member, whose tenure ended earlier this year, also made a few recommendations for increasing capacity of vaccinators in the country besides ensuring more supplies for vaccination to counter the pandemic in the country.
The letter was written to the prime minister this morning for his consideration, they said. Prime Minister Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting on the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive. Top officials from different ministries attended the meeting.
13:42 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
AIIMS chief Dr Guleria warns of surge in fungal infection in Covid patients
Dr Randeep Guleria (Express Photo/File)
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria Saturday warned doctors to brace for cases of mucormycosis, a rare fungal infection, across the country, including among Covid-19 positive persons. He emphasised the urgent need to control and monitor blood sugar levels among Covid patients, with a pattern emerging of more than 90 per cent of mucormycosis patients being diabetics.
Guleria was speaking during a session of a clinical excellence programme to guide state centres of excellence and districts in clinical management protocol.
13:38 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
PM Modi reviews COVID situation, vaccination drive
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting on the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive. Government sources said top officials from different ministries attended the meeting. Modi has been holding regular review meetings on the pandemic situation and taking measures as he spearheads the drive to curb the second wave of surge in infections.
13:37 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Delhi Police arrests 15 people, lodges 17 FIRs over posters critical of PM Modi
Delhi Police has registered 17 FIRs and arrested 15 people for allegedly pasting posters critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the vaccination drive against COVID-19, officials said on Saturday. The posters reading "Modiji humare bachon ki vaccine videsh kyu bhej diya (PM why did you send vaccines of our children to foreign countries?)" were pasted in several parts of the city, they said.
On Thursday, police received information about the posters following which senior officers of the districts were alerted. And based on further complaints, as many as 17 FIRs were registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections including section 3 of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act across various districts of the Delhi Police, the officials said. (PTI)
12:55 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Delhi to provide oxygen concentrators for COVID patients requiring oxygen post-discharge
COVID patients who require oxygen support at home post discharge from hospitals would be provided oxygen concentrators at home. (File)
The Delhi government Saturday said COVID patients who require oxygen support at home post discharge from hospitals would be provided oxygen concentrators at home. For this, the government has written to all hospitals to appoint a nodal officer to provide information about patients who will be requiring oxygen support at home after discharge.
“It has been decided that the patients discharged from COVID hospital who would require Domiciliary Oxygen Support at home post discharge, will be provided Oxygen Concentrators at home for Domiciliary Short-Term Oxygen Therapy (STOT). A nodal officer has been appointed in each district to coordinate the provision of oxygen concentrator for STOT,” Dr B S Charan, Additional Director (Public Health Wing IV) of the Directorate General of Health Services, wrote to heads of all hospitals.
12:42 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
West Bengal announces lockdown till May 30 amid Covid-19 surge
Sanitation is carried out by a mist cannon machine in Kolkata (Express Photo)
The West Bengal government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown across the state for a fortnight from Sunday, May 16 to May 30.
All government and private offices will remain closed, except emergency services and essential services.
All shops will be closed, except food related and essential services. Shops selling vegetables, groceries, milk and meat can be open from 7 am to 10 am.
12:31 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Oxygen concentrator banks are being set up for those under home isolation: Kejriwal
Kejriwal further said that Oxygen concentrator banks are being set up in each Delhi district for those under home isolation. They can be delivered to the patient's home in 2 hours. "We're starting oxygen concentrator bank today. Essential to provide oxygen to COVID patients, on time. We've started this for such patients. 200 such banks set up in every dist. Our team will provide the concentrator at doorstep of patients in home isolation, if needed."
12:30 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Delhi records 6,500 new cases; positivity rate dips to 11%
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said that in the last 24 hours, 6500 cases have been reported in the national capital. "The positivity rate has further gone down to 11%. So Corona's impact is going down in Delhi. 1000 ICU beds have been set up within 15 days, our doctors and engineers have set an example. I thank them," Kejriwal said.
12:16 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Explained: Punjab’s Covid-19 vaccine shortage, and why it wants to join Covax facility
Workers carry Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines made available through Covax and redeployed from the DR Congo, at Accra, Ghana, last week. (Reuters Photo: Francis Kokoroko)
On Friday, the Punjab government announced that, since it was facing a shortage of Covid-19 vaccines, it had decided to join the global Covax facility to procure supplies. Several other states, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, have over the past few days expressed their intention to import vaccines from abroad.
As the situation currently stands, neither the attempt by states in buying vaccines directly from global manufacturers, nor Punjab’s decision to join Covax is likely to bear fruit. In Punjab’s case, it is not even clear whether it is eligible to join Covax, a World Health Organisation-led platform working to ensure equitable and affordable access to Covid-19 vaccines to countries around the world. Thus far, Covax has been operating only at the level of nations — procuring vaccines for, and supplying to, national governments. Read more
12:03 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Telangana HC stays state govt’s contentious circular regulating entry of COVID-19 patients
The Telangana High Court Friday stayed the state government's contentious circular regulating entry of COVID-19 patients seeking emergency medical treatment in Hyderabad.
Calling the circular ‘discriminatory’ and violating the right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution of India, the High Court issued notices to governments of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and the Center.
Stopping ambulances at the state borders on Thursday was based on a letter from Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, dated May 11, to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories with detailed guidelines and instructions to the general public. The letter came to public notice only on May 13.
11:53 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting on Covid situation in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting on the Covid-19 related situation and vaccination.
PM Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting on the #COVID19 related situation and vaccination. pic.twitter.com/4VQ1trKJXs
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2021
11:51 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
PM Modi to chair a high-level meeting on COVID-19 vaccination today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting today on the COVID-19 related situation and vaccination.
11:31 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Delhi: Drugs to oxygen, amid Covid-19 surge, black market flourishes
With oxygen beds running out, many opted to keep patients at home on oxygen support, leading to a cylinder shortage. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
Rs 50,000 for a vial of remdesivir, Rs 40,000 for a large oxygen cylinder: This is what some people paid in Delhi over the last three weeks trying to save lives of loved ones as the Covid surge left the healthcare infrastructure overwhelmed, and created fertile grounds for black marketers.
Members of the healthcare industry, hospital owners and government officials The Indian Express spoke to flagged key factors that led to this — from a lull in cases after the first wave which led to scaling back of production to not enough being done to bolster healthcare infrastructure.
Take the example of remdesivir, typically administered to patients in ICU. A Delhi government official said the problem of black marketing began as hospitals started prescribing it for patients who may not have needed it. Its supply is centralised, and the government allocates it to the states, which then provide it to hospitals based on requirement. It is not available with chemists. Read More
11:30 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
‘Covid will not affect reform roadmap’: Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister
Prior to the pandemic, between June 2019 and till the budget was presented in February 2021, there was certainly a slowdown, a shortage of liquidity, and therefore, when people needed money, they couldn’t get it; we undertook a lot of measures to ensure that liquidity reaches people. In fact, much before the festive season in India, between September and October, we had ensured that banks, NBFCs and others reached out with liquidity. So that year we did have a specific problem of banks not being able to extend credit, which was sorted out and in early 2021, we saw clear signs of recovery. With that, we presented a budget in February 2021. But, of course, within weeks after presenting the budget, there was Covid-19. Read More
11:15 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Covid reaches the interiors: secluded tribe in Odisha’s Niyamgiri hills affected; survey on
Health workers in a village in Nuapada district. (Express Photo)
The first cases of coronavirous infection have been reported among the Dongria Kondh tribe, settled in the Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada district in Odisha, sparking concern among officials.
One of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups in India, the Dongria Kondhs had remained untouched during the first wave. Given their poor immunity due to lack of nourishment and a secluded way of life, officials are worried about the impact of the current virulent Covid-19 wave on them.
The administration had initiated a door-to-door survey in villages specifically falling under the Kalyansinghpur block following reports of tribe members showing members. Read More
10:11 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Behind bodies found on river banks, a Covid shadow
Relatives and family wait to cremate on the banks of River Ganga, in Unnao, Thursday. (PTI)
Days ago, the bodies were in scores, unclaimed, uncounted and unidentified. On Friday, at the Gahmar Ghat in Ghazipur, there were five. Two face down in the sand on the Ganga riverbank; one part submerged, the remaining two in fragments. Not far from here, in Unnao, again on the banks of the Ganga, an estimated 200 bodies were laid bare this week by the shifting sand after a heavy downpour.
These bodies, juxtaposed with images of overflowing cremation and burial grounds, frame a tragic rural postcard from UP and downstream Bihar touched by Covid.
Interviews with next of kin, officials, eyewitnesses and local residents in Unnao and Ghazipur reveal that behind the bodies lie long-held traditions, deep economic distress and the sudden rush to lay the dead to rest — all of this under the shadow of a devastating pandemic that has led to several deaths outside official records. Read More
10:05 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Karnataka emerges as top contributor with 41,779 cases
Karnataka emerges as top contributor with 41,779 cases. Maharashtra reports 39,923 cases. Also, Maharashtra contributed 714 deaths, while 373 came from Karnataka. Uttar Pradesh reported 311 deaths.
10:04 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Active cases drop by more than 31,000 cases to 36.73 lakh
As many as 326,098 new cases of coronavirus infections detected on Friday. 3,890 deaths reported on Friday. Active cases drop by more than 31,000 cases to 36.73 lakh.
10:01 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
New cases fall below 10,000 in Delhi, first time since April 10
With the lockdown in place for close to four weeks, Covid cases in Delhi have finally started to dip, with 8,506 cases being recorded on Friday. This is the first time since April 10 that cases dropped below 10,000 in the city.
A total of 68,575 people were tested and 12.40% of them were found to be positive — which is the lowest positivity rate in a month. Over 50,000 of these were RT-PCR tests. Over 14,000 people were reported recovered on Friday.
09:51 (IST)
15 MAY 2021
Hello and welcome
Hello and welcome to our Covid-19 LIVE blog. India reported 3,26,098 new Covid-19 cases and 3,890 deaths in the last 24 hours ending 8 am on Saturday, as per Union Health Ministry. It also reported 3,53,299 recoveries during the same period. With today’s count, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 2,43,72,907 and the number of fatalities stands at 2,66,207. At present, as many as 36,73,802 cases are active while 2,04,32,898 people have been treated and discharged.
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India’s coronavirus numbers over the last two weeks suggest the second wave may have reached its peak, or will in the next few days. However, the end of the second wave may still be a long distance away. India’s cases, which touched 4.14 lakh last Thursday, have dropped significantly in the last one week.
In Mumbai, active Covid-19 cases have started dropping. As on Friday, the active caseload dropped to 37,656. A month ago, on April 14, the city had 87,443 active cases with a recovery rate of 81%. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data shows the recovery rate has also improved over the last four weeks. The recovery rate now, according to the BMC dashboard, is 92%. Officials said that the numbers are an indicator of significant improvement in Covid-19 situation in Mumbai after last month’s peak.
The Kerala government on Friday extended the ongoing lockdown till May 23 as the state’s positivity rate still remains high. “The positivity rate remains high, so the state government has decided to extend the present complete lockdown in Kerala till May 23,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. The state has recorded 34,694 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, while 93 deaths took the toll to 6,243, the chief minister added.
Behind bodies found on river banks, a Covid shadow
Days ago, the bodies were in scores, unclaimed, uncounted and unidentified. On Friday, at the Gahmar Ghat in Ghazipur, there were five. Two face down in the sand on the Ganga riverbank; one part submerged, the remaining two in fragments. Not far from here, in Unnao, again on the banks of the Ganga, an estimated 200 bodies were laid bare this week by the shifting sand after a heavy downpour.
These bodies, juxtaposed with images of overflowing cremation and burial grounds, frame a tragic rural postcard from UP and downstream Bihar touched by Covid.
Interviews with next of kin, officials, eyewitnesses and local residents in Unnao and Ghazipur reveal that behind the bodies lie long-held traditions, deep economic distress and the sudden rush to lay the dead to rest — all of this under the shadow of a devastating pandemic that has led to several deaths outside official records.
Covid reaches the interiors: secluded tribe in Odisha’s Niyamgiri hills affected; survey on
The first cases of coronavirous infection have been reported among the Dongria Kondh tribe, settled in the Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada district in Odisha, sparking concern among officials.
One of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups in India, the Dongria Kondhs had remained untouched during the first wave. Given their poor immunity due to lack of nourishment and a secluded way of life, officials are worried about the impact of the current virulent Covid-19 wave on them.
The administration had initiated a door-to-door survey in villages specifically falling under the Kalyansinghpur block following reports of tribe members showing members.
Maharashtra wants 50% vaccine doses of Bharat Biotech’s Pune plant
The state government will urge Bharat Biotech, the Hyderabad-based firm that is manufacturing the Covid-19 vaccine, to reserve 50 per cent doses manufactured at its proposed Pune plant for supply within Maharashtra, said deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday.
Delhi: Drugs to oxygen, amid Covid-19 surge, black market flourishes
Rs 50,000 for a vial of remdesivir, Rs 40,000 for a large oxygen cylinder: This is what some people paid in Delhi over the last three weeks trying to save lives of loved ones as the Covid surge left the healthcare infrastructure overwhelmed, and created fertile grounds for black marketers.
Explained: Punjab’s Covid-19 vaccine shortage, and why it wants to join Covax facility
On Friday, the Punjab government announced that, since it was facing a shortage of Covid-19 vaccines, it had decided to join the global Covax facility to procure supplies. Several other states, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, have over the past few days expressed their intention to import vaccines from abroad.
