Coronavirus news highlights: Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy tests positive for Covid-19

India on Thursday reported over 1.26 lakh Covid-19 cases. PM Narendra Modi held a meeting with Chief Ministers to assess the Covid-19 situation in the country. He urged the states to proactively increase tracing and testing to contain the 'human source'. PM Modi also asked people to practice Covid-appropriate behaviour and called on the youth of the country to cooperate with authorities. PM has also asked to observe a 'Vaccination Utsav' from April 11 to 14 to vaccinate as many eligible beneficiaries as possible.

Senior Congress leader and former Kerala CM, Oommen Chandy tests positive for Covid-19 (PTI)

Night curfew in urban areas of 8 districts in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered on Thursday imposition of night curfew in the urban areas of eight districts, including Jammu and Srinagar, to check the spread of the soaring coronavirus cases.

The night curfew will come into effect from Friday, the office of the Lt governor said.

"Directed the divisional administration to impose corona curfew from 10 pm to 6 am in the urban areas of 8 districts affected by the recent Covidspike," it tweeted. (PTI)

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Delhi Government has directed115 private hospitals to reserve 50 per centof their total ICU and ward bed capacity for Covid-19 patients.

Karnataka imposes Corona (night) curfew in 8 cities, including Bengaluru

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Maharashtra reports 56,286 new Covid cases, 36,130 recoveries, and 376 deaths in the last 24 hours. This brings the state's total caseload to32,29,547 with 5,21,317 active cases.

I do not favour politicising of this issue, but I have been hearing statements by many people who are using this as a political weapon. But I will not comment. All of us can only serve people of India. I am sure all state governments will take all precautions to bring this number down. Focus on proactive testing: PM Modi

The lax attitude people have adopted after getting vaccinated must be stopped. I have been saying since day 1: Ladai bhi, Kadai bhi.I call upon opinion-makers, social leaders and celebrities to spread awareness about wearing masks and social distancing among people, especially those who have been vaccinated: PM Modi

In places where night curfew has been imposed, I would urge to use the word 'Corona curfew', to continue alertness about the virus. It will be better to start curfew timing from 9 pm or 10 pm till 5 am or 6 am: PM Modi

Let us start a vaccine celebration between April 11 and April 14, birth anniversaries Jyotiba Phule and Baba Saheb Ambedkar respectively. Let us make a vaccination festival where we inoculate as many people as we can, those who are eligible: PM Modi to state governments

India is not unlike other nations in terms of vaccines, its storage, their wastage. Vaccine management is being discussed. It will not do to keep vaccines in one state. We have to think of the whole nation: PM Modi to state governments

Covid-19 tracing and tracking is the way to curb the virus: PM Modi

The data around the Covid-19 cases, comorbidities, factors of death other than Covid-19, should be as comprehensive as possible. Only then can we contain this virus: PM Modi

We have to make sure that Covid fatigue does not seep into any groundwork. We have created an SOP, which is updated by the Health Ministry, which must be followed: PM Modi tells state governments

Everyone residing in a containment zone must be tested. Containment zones must not be vague: PM Modi

The method of doing RT-PCR tests needs to be checked. Some unverified reports I have read say that Covid testing has been superficial. Do not worry about the positive cases rising. Proper sampling has to be done in a state. That is the only way of containing the human host. We can only address this by better infrastructure and governance: PM Modi

There is a need to contain the human host. Testing and tracking is the key. It does not matter if testing brings out the number higher. Do not be bullied by critics: PM Modi

We managed to bring down 10 lakh cases down to 1 lakh active cases. This time we have better strategy and experience. COVID-appropriate behaviour should be stressed upon by state governments: PM Modi

During the first wave, we did not have any solution other than lockdown. This time, we have other solutions, like microcontainment zones: PM Modi

Thesecond wave of Covid-19 is highly concerning. The sudden rise in cases in states is worrying. We need to crackdown on the disease once again: PM Narendra Modi said during a meeting with Chief Ministers

Delhi High Court defers the Lok Adalat scheduled for April 10, due to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases in Delhi

"People are following Covid-19 protocols properly. There is no rush or overcrowding at the stations. Media reports of people traveling out of fear of a lockdown were not correct,"Deepak Kumar, CPRO, Northern Railway, told ANI.

Mumbai reported8,938 new Covid-19 cases, 4,503 recoveries and 23 deaths in the last 24 hours.

This brings the total caseload of the city at4,91,698 with 3,92,514 total recoveries and11,874 deaths. There are presently86,279 active cases.

Tendulkar leaves hospital after being treated for Covid-19

India batting great Sachin Tendulkar said on Thursday that he has been released from hospital a week after he was admitted when he contracted Covid-19, but he will remain in isolation at home.

Tendulkar, who turns 48 later this month, was previously quarantining at home after testing positive following mild symptoms. (Reuters)

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to chair the 24th meeting of the High-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on Covid-19 and the status of preparedness on April 9. (ANI)

Indonesia announces internal travel ban during Eid al-Fitr over Covid-19

Indonesia has banned land, air, water and rail travel during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations from May 6 to 17 to curb Covid-19 transmission, a spokeswoman for its transport ministry said on Thursday.

Indonesia had previously banned the mass exodus tradition, locally known as "mudik". (Reuters)

Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Dept officials have informed the CM that only 3 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine are available in the State as of today. They explained that the stocks will last for two days only,Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office has said. (ANI)

Iran sets coronavirus infection record for 3rd straight day

Iran hit a new coronavirus infection record on Thursday for the third straight day, reporting 22,586 new cases as the country grapples with a severe spike following the Persian New Year holiday.

The new case count pushes Iran's total during the pandemic over 2 million, including 63,884 deaths after health authorities reported 185 new daily fatalities due to Covid-19. (PTI)

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has urgedPrime Minister Narendra Modi to allow all people above 18 years of age to get vaccinated against Covid-19, in wake of an alarming rise in coronavirus cases. (PTI)

Covid-19 vaccine shortage threatens to slow India, world's fastest vaccinating nation

With an average of 34,30,502 anti-coronavirus doses being given per day, India has topped globally in terms of the number of jabs administered daily, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

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Workers of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) distribute face masks during an awareness campaign against the spread of Covid-19. Credit: AFP Photo

Rallies, religious gatherings aggravate India's worst Covid-19 surge

India's Covid-19 cases have soared 13-fold in barely two months, a vicious second wave propelled by open disregard for safety protocols in much of the vast country.

Election rallies led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other major figures, as well as crowded festivals and religious gatherings, have characterised the record resurgence of the new coronavirus.

"I have just been informed that the Center increased Covid-19 vaccine doses from 7 lakh to 17 lakh. Even this is less because we need 40 lakh vaccine doses a week and 17 lakh doses are not enough," said Rajesh Tope.

Watch Rajesh Tope's press conference live here.

"Gujarat is half of the population of Maharashtra. Gujarat has got 1 crore vaccines till now, however, we have got only 1.04 crore vaccine dosages," says Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister.

We will keep vaccination at six lakh per week, kindly give us 40 lakh doses per week, says Rajesh Tope.

Only Covid-19 vaccine will bring in herd immunity, to his is Ram-baan, says Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope demanding 40 lakh vaccines per week for the state.

There is no possibility of lockdown or night curfew in Assam. I request everyone to get themselves tested if they have symptoms. There is no need to panic but we should remain alert: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

India leads globally with average of more than 34 lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses given per day

With an average of 34,30,502 anti-coronavirus doses being given per day, India has topped globally in terms of the number of jabs administered daily, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Cumulatively, 9,01,98,673 vaccine doses have been given so far through 13,77,304 sessions, according to a provisional report till 7 am.

CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray took his second dose of Covid-19 vaccine

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal took his first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital

Madhya Pradesh to lock down all urban areas from 6 pm tomorrow to 6 am on Monday amid rise in Covid-19 cases.

Watch DH's playlist of videos on Covid-19 here

Centre is cooperating with State govt in this tough time of pandemic. We all have to come together and fight this menace. State and centre both have to come together and find out a way to fight the pandemic, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Police personnel stop people during a night curfew, amid spike in coronavirus cases, in Ahmedabad. Credit: PTI Photo

Dehradun DM declares Doon School a restricted zone after 12 Covid-19 positive cases were detected. "Testing will be done. 4 more areas, besides Doon School, declared restricted zones," said the DM.

Thailand reports 405 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

Thailand reported 405 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and no new deaths, as the country deals with a climb in daily infections after tackling earlier outbreaks.

The new cases took the total number of infections to 30,310, with 95 deaths.

India records 1.26 lakh Covid-19 cases, 685 deaths as India records highest single-day rise

The number of new coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high since the outbreak of the pandemic with over 1.26 lakh new infections being reported in a span of 24 hours, pushing the nationwide Covid-19 tally to 1,29,28,574, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

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Australia to continue AstraZeneca vaccine rollout, review EU findings

Australia has no current plans to change the rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday, after Europe’s drug regulator found possible links between rare blood clots and the vaccine.

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 20,407

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 20,407 to 2,930,852, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Thursday. The reported death toll rose by 306 to 77,707, the tally showed.

New Zealand temporarily suspends entry for travellers from India amid surge in Covid-19 cases and rise in number of positive Covid-19 cases in arrivals from India. Suspension set to be in place till April 28.

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Ana Claudia Rodrigues, 52, a patient suffering from Covid-19 introduces her daughter Renata to another patient during a video call at a field hospital in Brazil. Credit: Reuters Photo

I have given the second dose of Covaxin to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. He spoke to us. It was a memorable moment for me as I got to meet him and vaccinate him, says Sister Nisha Sharma.

South Korea reports surge in coronavirus cases, more restrictions expected

South Korea reported 700 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily figure since early January, and the Prime Minister reiterated warnings on Thursday that new social distancing rules would likely be needed.

Wednesday's tally compares with an average of 477 cases last week, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and will fuel fears that the country may be facing a fourth wave of infections.

PM Modi gets second dose of Covaxin Covid-19 vaccine

"Got my second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at AIIMS today. Vaccination is among the few ways we have, to defeat the virus," he tweeted.

AstraZeneca to flag possible blood clot side effect of Covid-19 vaccine on labelling

AstraZeneca on Wednesday said it was working with European and British regulators to change the product information on its Covid-19 shot after authorities said they suspected possible brain blood clots were a rare side-effect of the shot.

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Covid-19 second wave: India stares at over 1,000 daily deaths in coming weeks

The subdued mortality seen in the second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic so far notwithstanding, India may be staring at more than 1,000 daily deaths in the coming weeks as an astounding number of new cases piles up every day.

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Utterly baseless: Harsh Vardhan on Maharashtra's Covid-19 vaccine shortage allegation

Union Health MinisterHarshVardhanon Wednesday slammed theMaharashtragovernment for its SOS on the "shortage" of Covid-19 vaccines by terming the allegations as "utterly baseless". He also said that a "lackadaisical and casual attitude" of the state government bogged down the entire country’s efforts to fight the virus.

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Centre writes to Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi govts flagging below-par Covid-19 vaccination of beneficiaries

The Centre wrote to Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi governments on Wednesday flagging below-par vaccination of eligible beneficiaries, including healthcare workers.

In a letter to the principal secretaries of Punjab, Delhi and Maharashtra, Additional Health Secretary Manohar Agnani noted that the performance of these states and UT have been below the national average and needs improvement.

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Mumbai logs over 10,000 Covid-19 cases for second straight day, 23 die

Mumbai reported 10,428 new coronavirus cases and 23 fresh fatalities on Wednesday, which took its caseload to 4,82,760 and death toll to 11,851, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

This is for the second consecutive day that the city has reported more than 10,000 infections. For the third time this month, it has witnessed a single-day case growth in five digits.

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