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Tag: coronavirus latest updates

  • COVID-19: Work hours of Maharashtra subordinate courts restricted

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, work hours of all subordinate courts in the state have been restricted.

    As per a notice issued on Monday by Bombay High Court Registrar, the Chief Justice of Bombay HC, Dipankar Datta, and the HC Administrative Committee have directed that subordinate courts in Maharashtra will function from 11 am to 1.30 pm and 2 pm to 4.30 pm on all working days from March 30.

    Last week, Justice GS Patel had given lawyers and all parties with cases listed in his court the choice to attend hearing through a video conferencing interface.

    The notice issued by HC earlier this week also said that lawyers and parties from outside of Mumbai should not travel here and must “invariably” opt for video-conference hearings.

    The rest of the courts in the principal bench of Bombay HC are still conducting physical hearings for most matters.

    On Saturday, the Bombay Bar Association had written to the CJ seeking hearings through video-conference or a combination of physical and online hearings amid the spike in COVID-19 numbers.

    After the nationwide lockdown imposed in March last year, all benches of Bombay HC had stopped physical hearings, and were conducting hearings for urgent cases through video conferencing.

    However, in December last year, the principal bench resumed physical hearings on four of the five working days of a week.

    On Fridays, a few designated courts hear such matters through video-conferencing where the lawyers or parties are not based in Mumbai.

    Earlier this month, the Nagpur and Aurangabad benches of HC reverted to online hearings owing to the rising COVID 19 cases.

  • Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel chairs meet to review situation amid COVID-19 surge

    By PTI
    RAIPUR: Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday asked officials to increase the vaccination coverage in districts where infection numbers are high.

    Chairing a meeting here on the outbreak situation, he also ordered district collectors to declare areas where cases are steadily rising as containment zones and impose necessary restrictions, an official said.

    The meeting was attended by cabinet ministers, senior administrative and police officials while collectors and functionaries of commerce and industries’ associations joined online, he said.

    Speaking about discussions held in the meeting, state Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said the administration was not in favour of a lockdown, but in almost all cities and containment zones, a ‘no man’s land’ concept will be enforced from 9pm to restrict unnecessary movement of people.

    “It means all shops and commercial installations will be closed down at 9 pm. Only hotels and restaurants will be allowed to sell food parcels,” he said, though he did not disclose when the plan will come into force.

    “The state government is not in the mood of imposing lockdown as of now, nor have we any intention to influence the business activities, but people will have to follow COVID-19 guidelines seriously,” the minister added.

    The state government will focus on three fronts, namely vaccination drive, recruitment of health staff and strict compliance of COVID-19 guidelines to fight the current situation, he said.

    “The chief minister has said there should be no dearth of manpower, and walk-in-interviews should be held to appoint doctors and paramedical staff. He also directed collectors to arrange for beds with oxygen facility in sufficient numbers,” Choubey informed.

    Meanwhile, Baghel, in a statement, said he will not celebrate Holi this year due to the spike in cases and asked people to celebrate on Monday by staying home and exchanging wishes through social media.

    In view of spike in cases, CrPC section 144, which bars assembly of four or more people, has been imposed in some districts, including Raipur, Durg, Bastar, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur.

    PTI TKPC’garh CM chairs meet to review situation amid COVID-19 surge Raipur, Mar 28 (PTI) Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday asked officials to increase the vaccination coverage in districts where infection numbers are high.

    Chairing a meeting here on the outbreak situation, he also ordered district collectors to declare areas where cases are steadily rising as containment zones and impose necessary restrictions, an official said.

    The meeting was attended by cabinet ministers, senior administrative and police officials while collectors and functionaries of commerce and industries’ associations joined online, he said.

    Speaking about discussions held in the meeting, state Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said the administration was not in favour of a lockdown, but in almost all cities and containment zones, a ‘no man’s land’ concept will be enforced from 9pm to restrict unnecessary movement of people.

    “It means all shops and commercial installations will be closed down at 9 pm. Only hotels and restaurants will be allowed to sell food parcels,” he said, though he did not disclose when the plan will come into force.

    “The state government is not in the mood of imposing lockdown as of now, nor have we any intention to influence the business activities, but people will have to follow COVID-19 guidelines seriously,” the minister added.

    The state government will focus on three fronts, namely vaccination drive, recruitment of health staff and strict compliance of COVID-19 guidelines to fight the current situation, he said.

    “The chief minister has said there should be no dearth of manpower, and walk-in-interviews should be held to appoint doctors and paramedical staff. He also directed collectors to arrange for beds with oxygen facility in sufficient numbers,” Choubey informed.

    Meanwhile, Baghel, in a statement, said he will not celebrate Holi this year due to the spike in cases and asked people to celebrate on Monday by staying home and exchanging wishes through social media.

    In view of spike in cases, CrPC section 144, which bars assembly of four or more people, has been imposed in some districts, including Raipur, Durg, Bastar, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur.

  • Maharashtra sees highest one-day spike of 40,414 COVID-19 cases

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra on Sunday reported 40,414 fresh coronavirus positive cases, the highest rise so far in a single day, taking its tally beyond 27 lakh to 27,13,875, the state health department said.

    The state had reached the 26 lakh-mark of cases only on March 25.

    With 108 fresh fatalities due to COVID-19 infection, the overall toll in Maharashtra reached 54,181, it said.

    “Of the 108 fatalities, 56 patients succumbed in the last 48 hours while 29 others died in the last week. The rest 20 deaths had occurred before the last week,” the department said.

    ALSO READ: Maharashtra CM mulling lockdown with ‘minimum impact on economy’

    Mumbai also reported the highest number of new cases in a day on Sunday, by adding 6,933 infections, taking its overall tally to 3,98,724.

    With eight more deaths, Mumbai’s fatality count rose to 11,653, the department said.

    In Maharashtra, 17,874 patients were discharged during the day, taking the total count of recoveries to 23,32,453.

    The state is now left with 3,25,901 active cases, the department added.

    ALSO READ: ‘Can no longer survive’ – Maharashtra traders protest new COVID restrictions

    In Mumbai Metropolitan region (MMR), Thane city reported 1,217 cases in a day while the Kalyan Dombivli municipal corporation added 1,081 new infections.

    Pune city and neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad (PCMC) township reported 4,625 and 2,131 new cases, respectively.

    A total of 1,568 cases were reported from other areas in Pune district.

    The number of cases in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) stood at 2,66,875 while the tally in PCMC areas is 1,30,194.

    ALSO READ: Maharashtra clamps night curfew from Sunday amid COVID surge

    The total number of cases in Pune district is 1,19,386, a health official said.

    Nashik city recorded 2,403 fresh cases, taking its caseload to 1,10,453.

    In the district minus Nashik city, 1,159 cases were detected in the day.

    In Marathwada region, Aurangabad city reported 1,031 new cases while 770 infections were detected in Nanded city, as per the department.

    In Jalna district bordering Aurangabad 349 new cases were detected.

    Nagpur city added 2,981 infections during the day while the district reported 1,018 new cases.

    With 1,65,591 new tests, the number of samples tested so far for coronavirus in Maharashtra went up to 1,93,58,341, the department said.

    Maharashtra’s COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases: 27,13,875, new cases: 40,414, death toll: 54,181, discharged: 23,32,453, active cases: 3,25,901, people tested so far : 1,93,58,341.

  • Production halted on ‘The Chi’ after positive COVID-19 test

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Shooting on the upcoming fourth season of the Showtime drama “The Chi” has been put on hold following a positive COVID-19 test.

    Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe, “The Chi” revolves around a neighbourhood on the South Side of Chicago.

    Disney TV Studios’ 20th Television, the company behind the series, has rigorous protocols in place according to which a temporary production shutdown has been imposed, reported Deadline.

    The new season of “The Chi”, which shoots in Chicago, is slated to premiere on May 23.

    The show was renewed for a fourth run in September.

    It stars Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr, Michael V Epps and Birgundi Baker.

    Luke James and Curtiss Cook have been upped to series regulars.

    Kandi Burruss, La La Anthony, Tabitha Brown and Jason Weaver are among returning guest stars.

  • Enhance COVID testing, ensure adequate care facilities in view of Kumbh Mela: Centre to Uttarakhand

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Centre has directed the Uttarakhand government to follow all the ‘stringent measures’ to control the spread of the Covid 19 in Mahakumbh 2021. 

    In a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has ‘strongly’ highlighted the concerns raised by the high-level central team during its visit to Uttarakhand. 

    “Currently more than 12 states in India have shown a surge in covid-19 cases during past few weeks, and pilgrims expected to visit Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela could also be from these States. As per the report of the Central Team, 10-20 pilgrims and 10-20 locals are being reported positive every day. This positivity rate has the potential to rapidly turning to an upsurge in cases, given the expected large footfall during Kumbh,” stated the letter. 

    The letter also added the need for stringent measures to control the spread of Covid-19 during the ongoing Kumbh in Haridwar of Uttarakhand. 

    A high-level team led by the director of the national center of disease control (NCDC) visited Uttarakhand on March 16-17, 2021 to review the preparedness for the Mahakumbh. 

    With newly sworn-in Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat announcing that except center’s guideline no restrictions will be implemented in Mahakumbh, officials of the Uttarakhand state government are worried given the shortage of forces in the upcoming religious congregation. 

    Officials told that at least 15000-20,000 extra force personnel are needed to manage the security of the Mahakumbh. 

    On April 14, which is also the day of the Baisakhi festival the estimates suggest that over 1 Crore devotees may visit the holy city of Haridwar. Officials also added that over 2 Crore devotees can visit Haridwar between April 11-14. 

    Earlier, the estimates were about 50-60 lakh people visiting the congregation but with the change of guard in the state things changed drastically.

    The new CM has made the Mahakumbh his priority with setting the agenda straight. His first order as the CM was to shower flowers on the occasion of Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) on Mahashivratri on March 11. 

    The hill state has already requested forces from many states including neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh but the states have not responded yet. Officials added that UP has panchayat elections due soon due to which chances of availability of force has become slim. 

  • Daily average COVID-19 deaths rise up by 50 per cent in a week 

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  With COVID-19 numbers are rising in India, daily deaths have shot up too. In just a week, the average daily fatality count has jumped by an alarming 47 per cent.

    On Friday, the country registered nearly 40,000 fresh cases in a 24-hour period and also recorded 188 deaths, with Maharashtra reporting the highest 70 fatalities.

    Punjab reported 38 deaths and has the highest case fatality ratio of 3.4 per cent among all states, against the national average of 1.4 per cent.

    ALSO READ: Cases up, COVID moves from outskirts to core areas

    Overall, India reported 1,112 deaths due to COVID-19 during March 12-19 whereas 758 deaths had been reported in the previous week.

    Even though many states are struggling to bring the CFR to below 1 per cent as instructed by the Centre, doctors in cities currently witnessing fresh spikes seem more confident than last year.

    “It’s true that ICUs are getting filled up again, but we are better placed to handle the situation. Even though there may not be a sure-shot remedy for severe cases, we at least know what mostly works and at what stage. For example, we now know when to start using oxygen supplementation,” said Nupur Gangwani, intensivist in a government hospital in Nagpur.

    Better equipped to tackle second wave: Doctors

    Raymond Savio, a critical care specialist in Chennai, another city facing the signs of a second wave, said doctors are better equipped with enough data on medical management and experience.

    “Perhaps this is helping many centres, small as well as peripheral units, to treat patients early and confidently,” he said.

    ALSO READ: We can win COVID battle at homes, not in hospitals

    A few others, however, conceded that things could change drastically if hospitals start getting flooded again.

    “The lack of infrastructure remains a concern everywhere and if more and more people start showing up with severe symptoms, it might turn into a major challenge,” said a government hospital doctor in Delhi.

    Some public health experts stressed the need of tracking the differences in clinical severity of patients, particularly due to the concerns that a variant SARS CoV-2 might be the reason behind the resurgence.

    “I doubt we are doing this, but data from Brazil is showing this trend,” said Oommen John from the George Institute of Public Health in Delhi.

    In Brazil, new infections caused by a mutant strain are causing severe disease in a higher number of younger people and the death rates have also increased.

  • Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, wife get COVID-19 vaccine shot

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and his wife took the first dose of indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute on Tuesday.

    India opened up vaccination for those over 60 years and within the age bracket of 45 to 59 years with specified co-morbidities from March 1.

    The minister’s wife Nutan Goel first took the jab after which Vardhan received the vaccine shot at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute, which is a private facility.

    They paid Rs 250 each for the vaccine jab.

    Completing the observation period of half-and-hour after taking the first dose of the vaccine, Vardhan addressed the media and appealed to eligible people to get vaccinated.

    “Today I and my wife took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Delhi Heart and Lung Hospital around half-and-hour ago. The observation time of half-and-hour is completed. Hospital authorities have informed me that I and my wife have been given Covaxin. In the last half-and-hour, I and my wife did not face any kind of difficulty,” he told reporters.

    “On this occasion, I would like to urge all the citizens of this country whose age is above 60 or if they are in the age bracket of 45-59 having specified co-morbidities to take the vaccine,” he said.

    Stating that the Indian government has made the vaccine available for its citizens in thousands of private as well as government hospitals, Vardhan said that in the fight against COVID-19, this vaccine will act as a “sanjeevani” for the people.

    “I and my wife paid Rs 250 each for our doses. I would like to appeal to people that those who can afford vaccine in our country can visit the nearest hospital and get the dose.”

    He asked the citizens to follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour and stressed the need for observing vaccine-appropriate behaviour as well.

    “I urge the citizens of this nation to get the first dose of vaccine and after 28 days of it, get the second dose of vaccine. If someone develops any kind of side effects or face difficulties, do not fear and inform your doctor,” he said.

    He told people not to have any doubts about the vaccine underlining no death has occurred till now due to the anti-coronavirus vaccination in the country.

    Vardhan said that if any death occurs a few days after receiving the jab, it cannot be linked to vaccination because each such death is being scientifically probed.

  • India records 12,286 COVID-19 infections, 91 fatalities

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India’s COVID-19 cases rose to 1,11,24,527 with 12,286 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries have surged to 1,07,98,921, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.

    The death toll increased to 1,57,248 with 91 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,07,98,921 which translates into a national COVID-19 recovery rate of 97.07 per cent, while the case fatality rate has dropped 1.41 per cent.

    The active caseload was recorded at 1,68,358 which accounts for 1.51 per cent of the total infections, the data stated.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7; 30 lakh on August 23; 40 lakh on September 5; and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28; 70 lakh on October 11; 80 lakh on October 29; 90 lakh on November 20; and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 21,76,18,057 samples have been tested up to March 1, of which 7,59,283 were done on Monday.

    The 91 new fatalities include 30 from Maharashtra, 18 from Punjab and 13 from Kerala.

    A total of 1,57,248 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 52,184 from Maharashtra, followed by 12,501 from Tamil Nadu, 12,336 from Karnataka, 10,911 from Delhi, 10,268 from West Bengal, 8,727 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,169 from Andhra Pradesh.

    The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

    “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

  • Laxity leads to Punjab COVID surge

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: Punjab is witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks with schoolchildren and teachers having been found infected by the virus after the reopening of schools amid a lax attitude of the people towards following precautions. Testing, too, has slowed down.

    State health department data on Tuesday showed 614 students and teachers tested positive between February 9 and 23. The cases have been reported from more than 1,400 schools, both government and private.

    “We need to study the positivity rate among students and teachers to get to the core of the virus infection,” said an official.

    The School Education Department had recently observed that teachers and students in many schools have not been adhering to the Covid guidelines laid down by the government.

    In a letter to all district education officers (DEOs), the school education secretary stated that adhering to the guidelines in all private and government schools was mandatory and every school needed to enforce them in letter and spirit.

    Schools for Classes IX to XII reopened on October 15, for V to VIII from January 7 and III to IV from January 27. Pre-primary and Class I and II opened from February 1.

    “Cases are rising due to two reasons. First is reopening of schools. Most cases have come from three districts — SBS Nagar, Ludhiana and Bathinda. Positivity rate among schoolchildren in these districts is 2.7%, 3.1% and 2.9%. The overall positivity rate among schoolchildren across the state is 1.1%,” said Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Husan Lal.

    “The second reason is people are not wearing masks or observing social distancing. In the last two weeks, the daily average number of cases is around 350 across the state. In January, daily average was around 250,” he said.

    Punjab Chief Secretary Vinni Mahajan ruled out closing schools again and said all steps were taken to ensure the safety of students.

    Education Secretary Krishan Kumar said teachers have been designated nodal officers in schools to instruct students on the proper use of masks and ensure adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

    Data with the health department reveals tests have come down. In September, 25,342 tests were conducted daily. In October, the number was 23,663, in November 19,079, December 22,331, January 18,086 and in February (to date) 17,771.

    CM orders restrictions on gatherings & hot spots

    Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered restrictions on indoor gatherings to 100 and outdoor to 200 persons from March 1. He authorised Deputy Commissioners to impose night curfews in hot spots if needed, along with strict enforcement of masks and social distancing.

    Chairing a virtual meeting,  Amarinder directed the police to ensure strict enforcement of rules. Private offices and restaurants shall be encouraged to display latest tests done for all employees, he added.

  • Madhya Pradesh MLAs flout COVID rules in Assembly premises

    By Express News Service
    BHOPAL: A day after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ordered compliance with mandatory use of face masks in Indore and Bhopal amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, many lawmakers were seen flouting the directive in the Assembly premises.

    The violators included BJP MLAs Usha Thakur, Ramesh Mendola, Yashpal Singh Sisodiya and former health minister Ajay Vishnoi and Congress legislators Sunil Saraf, Siddharth Kushwah and Alok Chaturvedi. When questioned, the legislators made various excuses.

    (From left) KP Singh, Rambai Thakur, Narottam Mishra

    Usha Thakur, who is the minister of state for tourism and culture, said, “I regularly do yoga and blow conch.  So, there is less possibility of me being infected. I use my dupatta to cover my face when needed.”

    BSP’s Rambai Thakur claimed she feels uneasy and nauseous on wearing mask while Kushwah claimed, “I’ve already had Covid-19 in the recent past, so I’ll not get infected again. Still, if you want to make it an issue, you’re free to do so.”