News Analysis India

Tag: coronavirus updates

  • India adds 3,33,533 new COVID-19 cases, 525 deaths in last 24 hours; daily positivity rate at 17.78 per cent

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India logged 3,33,533 new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,92,37,264, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The active cases have increased to 21,87,205, while the death toll has climbed to 4,89,409 with 525 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 5.57 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.18 per cent, the ministry said.

    ALSO READ: India’s current COVID surge not leading to severe illness, deaths, says ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava

    An increase of 73,840 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 17.78 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 16.87 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,65,60,560, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.25 per cent.

    ALSO READ: Recovered patients warn against Omicron, say ‘long Covid’ a reality

    The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 161.92 crore.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 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, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    ALSO READ: Over-the-counter drug sales see surge amid third wave of COVID-19 in Karnataka

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.

    The 525 new fatalities include 132 from Kerala and 48 from Maharashtra.

    A total of 4,89,409 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,42,071 from Maharashtra, 51,739 from Kerala, 38,563 from Karnataka, 37,178 from Tamil Nadu, 25,586 from Delhi, 23,038 from Uttar Pradesh and 20,302 from West Bengal.

    The 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.

  • CoWIN portal: Now, six members can register with one mobile number

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: The CoWIN portal has been upgraded to now facilitate six members’ registration using one mobile number for the beneficiaries.

    The CoWIN is a platform to register for vaccination, using mobile number or Aadhaar number, or any other identity documents.

    “Instead of the existing limit of 4 members, now 6 members can be registered using one mobile number on Co-WIN,” said the Union Health Ministry in a statement.

    In continuation of updates on various utility features of Co-WIN for the beneficiaries, a feature has been introduced under raise an issue in Co-WIN account through which beneficiary can revoke its current vaccination status from fully vaccinated to partially vaccinated or unvaccinated status and also partially vaccinated to unvaccinated status.

    The feature enables the vaccine beneficiaries to correct their vaccination status where in occasional isolated cases, the vaccination certificates are generated due to inadvertent data entry errors by the vaccinator in updation of vaccination data of beneficiaries.

    With this functionality, users are now allowed to rectify the mistakes in their vaccination status. The much-needed facility has been made available to users after complaints of data entry errors began piling up across many states.

    The changes may take 3-7 days after submitting the online request through raise an issue utility.

    Such beneficiaries can get their due vaccine dose, may be at nearest vaccination centre, as per the existent standard guidelines once new vaccination status is successfully updated in the system.

  • India reports 3,47,254 new coronavirus infections, active cases in country highest in 235 days

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India added 3,47,254 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,85,66,027 which includes 9,692 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

    The active cases have increased to 20,18,825, the highest in 235 days, while the death toll has climbed to 4,88,396 with 703 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    There has been a 4.36 per cent increase in Omicron cases since Thursday, the ministry said.

    The active cases comprise 5.23 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.50 per cent, the ministry said.

    ALSO READ: India’s current COVID surge not leading to severe illness, deaths, says ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava

    An increase of 94,774 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 17.94 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 16.56 per cent, according to the health ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,60,58,806, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.27 per cent.

    The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 160.43 crore.

    ALSO READ: Recovered patients warn against Omicron, say ‘long Covid’ a reality

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 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, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.

    The 703 new fatalities include 341 from Kerala and 43 from Delhi.

    ALSO READ: Over-the-counter drug sales see surge amid third wave of COVID-19 in Karnataka

    A total of 4,88,3961 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,41,971 from Maharashtra, 51,501 from Kerala, 38,515 from Karnataka, 37,112 from Tamil Nadu, 25,503 from Delhi, 23,000 from Uttar Pradesh and 20,230 from West Bengal.

    The 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.

  • Young, youthful India is showing the way on COVID vaccination: PM Narendra Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With over half of youngsters in the 15-18 age group having received their first dose of COVID vaccine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that young and youthful India is showing the way.

    He also stressed that it was important to observe all COVID-19 related protocols.

    Modi tweeted, “Young and youthful India showing the way! This is encouraging news. Let us keep the momentum. It is important to vaccinate and observe all COVID-19 related protocols. Together, we will fight this pandemic.”

    He was reacting to Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s tweet on Tuesday which said it was a “big day” for India’s fight against the pandemic as over 50 per cent of youngsters between 15 and 18 years have received their first dose of vaccine.

  • India reports 2,38,018 new coronavirus infections, active cases in country highest in 230 days

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With 2,38,018 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,76,18,271, which includes 8,891 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    The active cases have increased to 17,36,628, the highest in 230 days, while the death toll has climbed to 4,86,761 with 310 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    There has been an 8.31 per cent increase in Omicron cases since Monday, the ministry said.

    ALSO READ: COVID wave ebbing in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata?

    Experts said it is not possible to undertake genome sequencing of each and every sample but stressed that the current wave is largely being driven by the Omicron variant.

    The active cases comprise 4.62 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 94.09 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 80,287 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 14.43 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 14.92 per cent, according to the ministry.

    ALSO READ: ‘No forcible jab’ chorus becomes louder in Northeast states

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,53,94,882, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.29 per cent.

    The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 158.04 crore.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 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, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    ALSO READ: Don’t hide COVID symptoms, risk infecting others, says Veena George

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.

    The 310 new fatalities include 72 from Kerala and 33 from West Bengal.

    A total of 4,86,761 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,41,832 from Maharashtra, 50,904 from Kerala, 38,445 from Karnataka, 37,009 from Tamil Nadu,25,387 from Delhi, 22,972 from Uttar Pradesh and 20,121 from West Bengal.

    The 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.

  • ‘No further restrictions’: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, says COVID cases spiked due to irresponsible behaviour of people

    By PTI

    PUNE: Expressing concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases in Pune and the rest of Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said that as of now no new restrictions will be brought in but a decision will be taken next week depending upon the scenario.

    Pawar was speaking to reporters after attending a COVID-19 review meeting here.

    This meeting was attended by officials of the Pune district administration, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Zilla Parishad representatives.

    “Coronavirus cases are rising every passing day. But in today’s meeting, we decided not to bring in further restrictions. At the same time, existing curbs will not be relaxed soon. But, if needed, a decision will be taken in the next week,” he said.

    ALSO READ: No entry in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur to travelers from Maharashtra without negative COVID-19 report

    The Maharashtra government recently imposed new restrictions on the movement of people.

    As per the new guidelines, the movement of people in groups of five or more has been restricted from 5 am to 11 pm and no movement has been allowed from 11 pm to 5 am, except for essential services.

    Earlier in the day, when asked by reporters about the further tightening of curbs if the demand for medical oxygen rises in the state, Pawar had mentioned Aaditya Thackeray as the chief minister of Maharashtra instead of the latter’s father Uddhav Thackeray.

    “It was unintentional. Like we take back our words in the Assembly if they are wrong, I take the word ‘Aaditya’ back. I stress that Uddhav Thackeray is the CM of Maharashtra,” he said in the evening when asked about the apparent faux pas.

    Aaditya is a cabinet minister in the MVA government led by Shiv Sena.

    ALSO READ: Lack of guidelines from Centre on Omicron, Delta treatment causing confusion: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

    Interestingly, BJP has been demanding that CM Thackeray should hand over the charge to some other leader if he is unable to attend to the issues concerning Maharashtra due to his health.

    Pawar said the cases rose rapidly because people are not following COVID-19 norms.

    “Recently, many people returned from foreign countries. At the same time, no norms were followed in public events, especially in marriages that were attended by people coming from other states. If we have to control the spread of infection, we must follow rules,” he added.

    The deputy CM said the case positivity rate jumped to 17 per cent from six per cent last week.

    He said the pace of vaccination for the 15-18 age group has been good in the Pune district.

    He is the guardian minister of the Pune district.

    ALSO READ: Maharashtra likely to see rise in COVID hospitalisations by January-end or early Febuary: Health department

    Pawar said a booster dose should be taken nine months after the administration of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

    He also said that medical stores selling COVID-19 test kits should write down the contact numbers of persons buying these products.

    “Government teams will contact such people about the status of the test result,” he added.

    FDA joint commissioner (Pune division), S B Patil, has issued a notification, directing all the retail as well as wholesale chemists and pharmacists in Pune to keep a record of customers buying the COVID home test kits.

    Responding to a query, Pawar said he was of the view that the exams for classes 10 and 12 be held offline.

    Recently, Pune Police had arrested six people for allegedly using the phone number of Ajit Pawar to contact a city-based builder and later attempting to extort Rs 20 lakh from him.

    When asked about the incident, Pawar said the concerned builder is his very good friend.

    “Whenever I make a call from my number it goes out as a private number. But that day I got to know about the incident where someone called this builder and demanded money. I and the state home minister were together at that time. Pune commissioner of police was informed following which a case was registered,” he added.

  • No entry in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur to travelers from Maharashtra without negative COVID-19 report

    By PTI

    BURHANPUR: The administration in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district has made a negative RT-PCR test report mandatory for those coming from neighbouring Maharashtra, an official said on Saturday.

    The district lies on the border of MP and Maharashtra.

    It will be mandatory for travelers coming from Maharashtra to produce a negative RT-PCR test report before entry into the district, said Shailendra Solanki, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Burhanpur.

    The report should not be older than 48 hours, he added.

    Three check points have been set up on the border with Maharashtra where police, district administration and health teams are posted round the clock to check RT-PCR reports, he said.

    Maharashtra is among the states which have been hit worst by the coronavirus pandemic.

    The COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh rose to 8,24,543 on Saturday with detection of 5,315 new cases.

  • Assam registers 44 per cent jump in fresh COVID-19 cases in single day

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: Assam on Saturday registered a 44 per cent jump in fresh COVID-19 cases in a single day as 3,390 more people tested positive for the infection, which is the biggest single-day spike since June 19 last year, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said.

    The state’s positivity rate increased to 9.87 per cent as 34,355 samples were tested for COVID-19, he said.

    Assam had recorded 2,348 cases and 7.8 per cent positivity rate against the testing of 30,109 samples on Friday.

    The state had registered 3,571 cases and a positivity rate of 2.21 per cent in June 19 last year.

    Kamrup Metropolitan district, which primarily comprises Guwahati city, reported 919 fresh cases against 870 infections on the previous day.

    It has recorded 1,38,284 infections so far.

  • Jharkhand extends COVID-19 restrictions till January 31

    By PTI

    RANCHI: The Jharkhand government on Saturday extended the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in the state till January 31, Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh said.

    Under the existing restrictions, which are in place since January 3, educational institutions will remain closed, and bars and restaurants and other business establishments shall down their shutters after 8 PM, while a maximum of 100 people will be allowed to attend events such as weddings and funerals.

    The restrictions have been extended keeping in view the COVID-19 situation in the state, a notification issued by Singh, also the chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority, said.

    Parks, swimming pools, gymnasiums, zoos, places of tourist interest, stadiums and educational institutions shall remain closed till January 31.

    Classes will be held in the online mode, but administrative work can be done at schools, colleges and coaching centres with half the workforce.

    Cinema halls, restaurants, bars and shopping malls shall remain open till 8 PM with 50 per cent capacity.

    Government and private offices shall function with 50 per cent attendance.

    The spread of COVID-19 cases continued unabated as 3,749 more people tested positive for the infection, while three more patients succumbed to the disease, a health bulletin said.

  • Man with lungs damaged by COVID undergoes transplant after donor organs brought from Ahmedabad

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A 55-year-old man, whose lungs had been damaged due to the coronavirus, underwent a bilateral lung transplant at a private facility here after donor organs were transported 950 kilometres in three hours, according to a statement.

    The surgery took place at Max Hospital, Saket, and the hospital said it is the first time in North India that a bilateral lung transplant has been done with the help of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, (ECMO) support.

    The patient, a resident of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    His lungs were damaged due to Covid and he was too unstable and desaturating badly, said the hospital in the statement.

    “He was on high flow oxygen and required intermittent BIPAP support. Only option that could save his life was a lung transplant,” it said.

    At the hospital, he was evaluated in the past and had been put on the waiting list for lung transplant by a heart lung transplant team led by Dr Rahul Chandola, the statement said.

    On December 22, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization notified about a brain dead donor at Ahmedabad.

    This patient was a 44-year-old man who died due to brain haemorrhage.

    The team following the notification then went to Ahmedabad to harvest his lungs, the statement said.

    A green corridor was made between the Civil Hospital and the airport at Ahmedabad, and then between the IGI International Airport here and the Max Super Specialty Hospital at Saket to get the organs promptly, it said.

    Covering a distance of 950 km in three hours, the lungs were transported without a glitch, it said.

    This entire process ensured the retrieved lungs to be transplanted within the critical eight-hour chest to chest period.

    Talking about the patient’s condition, Dr Vivek Nangia, Principle Director and Head of Pulmonology in Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket Complex said, “This patient had come to us with bullous lung disease, where the lung had already developed multiple bullae or balloon like structures and the patient was finding it difficult to breathe.”

    “He had been on oxygen for almost about a year now and was not improving and there was no other treatment for it,” he said.

    Chandola said that the patient required extended ECMO life support for 10 days post operatively and was gradually weaned off from ventilator subsequently.

    “It was a very complicated surgery and we performed this double lung transplant on extended ECMO life support for the first time in North India. Now the patient has completely recovered and both the lungs are working perfectly,” he said.