Coronavirus news highlights: Near-total lockdown in Kerala from next week as Covid surge continues

With 3.79 lakh fresh cases and over 3,000 deaths on Thursday, India's fight against Covid-19 intensified. The country's death toll crossed 2 lakh and shortage of medical supplies continues to overwhelm health systems across the country. The world rushed to India's help as the new coronavirus wave sent many states into lockdown.

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BJP leaders attack Yogi after MLAs die from Covid-19; 7 die in UP hospital due to oxygen shortage

As disturbing videos of people, desperate for oxygen cylinders and Remdesivir, a key drug in fighting Covid, continued to flood social media, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath came under attack from his own party leaders after three BJP legislators died from Covid 19 in the past few day,even as the number of fresh cases of infection crossed 35,000-mark in the past 24-hours in the state.

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Near-total lockdown in Kerala from next week as Covid surge continues

While a near-total lockdown was already announced in Kerala on Saturdays and Sundays, similar restrictions will be put in place from next Tuesday. Only essential services would be allowed and shops would be allowed to carry out home delivery only.

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Centre says over one crore Covid-19 vaccine doses still available with states

More than 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and UTs and they will receive over 20 lakh more doses within the next 3 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

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Fourth phase of Covid vaccination in stages, 'based on availability': BSY

The fourth phase of vaccination for Covid that includes those in the 18-45 age group will be carried out in different stages in Karnataka, and will continue "based on availability", according to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

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Another day of steep spike in Covid-19 cases in J&K

On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 3,474 fresh Covid-19 positive cases as 26 patients succumbed to the virus - the highest toll in a single day in the union territory (UT) since the onset of pandemic last year.

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Domestic travel bans are not advisable to curb Covid: Study

As India’s big and populated states and urban centres go in for strict lockdown-type restrictions, a new study by the University of Chicago states that it could lead to more Covid-19 infections.

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Bharat Biotech cuts price of Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin by Rs 200 for states

Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin will be available to state governments for Rs 400 per dose.

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The central govt has increased our oxygen quota & that will come from Odisha. A train containing 5 tankers departed for Odisha yesterday. Today morning, we've sent 2 tankers by air. One container that departed earlier has already arrived today, says Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Himachal Pradesh Govt has decided to impose a complete ban on community feast (dham) during marriages & other celebrations in the state. All educational institutions & temples would remain closed till May 10: State Govt

Tamil Nadu extends night curfew, complete lockdown on Sundays

Covid-19: Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa directs audit of Remdesvir, oxygen availability

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa directed authorities to conduct an audit of Remdesvir and oxygen availability to ensure that they are delivered to those who require it the most.

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UP govt has increasedweekend closure duration by 24 hours. Now it will apply from Friday 8 pm to Tuesday 7 am

IndianArmy is setting up temporary hospitals in various parts of the country to deal with Covid-19 cases. (PTI)

Goldman Sachs commits addl $10 mn to support Covid relief efforts in India

Global financial services giant Goldman Sachs on Thursday announced an additional $10 million support to help India fight the surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths.

The US-headquartered firm will provide support for frontline health facilities in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, including ongoing vaccination efforts through the help, an official statement said. (PTI)

Total Covid-19 vaccination across India crosses 15-crore mark

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 15 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Cumulatively, 15,00,20,648 vaccine doses have been administered through 22,07,065 sessions, according to the provisional report till 7 am. (PTI)

Centre says over one crore Covid-19 vaccine doses still available with states

More than 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and UTs and they will receive over 20 lakh more doses within the next 3 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

On media reports quoting some Maharashtra State Government officials that vaccines in the state are "finished" and adversely impacting the vaccination drive, the ministry said a balance of 7,49,960 vaccine doses is still available with the state for administration to eligible population groups. (PTI)

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has written to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, urging him to notify medicines used in the treatment of Covid-19 under Essential Commodities Act to stop black marketing and hoarding. (ANI)

Of India's 3,645 new fatalities, 1,035 are from Maharashtra, 368 from Delhi, 279 from Chhattisgarh, 265 from Uttar Pradesh, 229 from Karnataka, 174 from Gujarat, 149 from Jharkhand, 142 from Punjab, 120 from Rajasthan, 108 from Uttarakhand and 105 from Madhya Pradesh. (PTI)

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has tested positive for Covid-19. He said he is asymptomatic and is self-isolatiing.

India reports 3,79,257 new Covid-19 cases, 3,645 deaths and 2,69,507 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry

28,44,71,979 samples tested up to 28th April 2021, for #COVID19. Of these, 17,68,190 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

The BMC received a fresh stock of Covishield yesterday. "It is to be distributed only in Government andMCGM hospitals/centrestoday morning. So, all government andMCGM Covid Vaccination Centres will be functional but only post 12 PM,"BMC stated.

The biggest vaccination centre in BKC, Mumbai was not functional yesterday due to unavailability of vaccine stock. (ANI)/

PM Modi urges voters in Bengal to exercise Covid protocols

"Last phase of the 2021 West Bengal elections takes place today. In line with the Covid-19 protocols, I call upon people to cast their vote and enrich the festival of democracy," PM Modi tweeted.

World Bank welcomes US, French Covid-19 assistance to India

The World Bank has welcomed the recent announcements by the United States and France to help India address its Covid-19 crisis.

"Very glad to see recent announcements by the US and France to help India address Covid-19," World Bank President David Malpass said in a tweet on Wednesday.

In a speech on April 15, Malpass had underlined the need for countries with the prospect of excess vaccine supplies to release them as soon as possible.

"Next, more doses and transparency on delivery schedules are key," he said. (PTI)

US sending more than $100 million in Covid supplies to India

The United States is sending supplies worth more than $100 million in the coming days to India to help it fight a surge of Covid-19 cases, the White House said on Wednesday. (Reuters)

Biden hails US Covid fight as one of 'greatest logistical achievements'

US President Joe Biden told Americans Wednesday in his first speech to Congress that the nation has pulled off a massive logistical success with its battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

"Because of you, the American people, our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history is one of the greatest logistical achievements our country has ever seen," the president said. (AFP)