News Analysis India

Tag: daily covid cases

  • Slight rise in India’s daily Covid-19 cases, experts say too early to see a sign yet

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: After a swift decline in Covid-19 cases over nearly one and a half months, daily infections in India have again started to show slight rise over the last two days.

    Experts, however, say that this is too early to see a pattern yet and the numbers need to be watched for the coming few days to reach a conclusion.

    On Wednesday, 54,069 new cases were reported in the country while on Tuesday this number was 50,848. In comparison, on Monday, 42, 640 fresh cases were registered in India, the lowest single day tally in nearly 3 months.

    The weekly rolling average of Covid test positivity rate on the other hand was 3.2 per cent on Sunday and remained at 3.1 per cent on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

    While about 54,000 cases reported on Wednesday are still lower than the cases recorded on various days last week, the concern is that the last two days so far are occasions when the cases have risen in comparison to previous days.

    In Maharashtra, the total cases reported on Wednesday were 10,066—the highest since June 17 while in Kerala which is leading the states in daily infections, 12,787 cases were recorded, also highest since June 17.

    ALSO READ: Delta variant 40% more transmissible, able to evade 55% immune protection, says study

    These two states are among the five so far, apart from Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where delta plus variant—a mutant SARS CoV 2 with the properties of highly transmissible delta variant coupled with K 417N mutation which has been associated with immune evasion has been detected in limited numbers of samples.

    Some experts cautioned that while the pandemic has been on a downward trajectory in the country for a while and signs like this should be taken seriously in the context of new information.

    “Given that the slight increase in cases is from states that saw early rises in previous surges, it would be prudent to be prepared and ensure optimal testing is in place to be able detect simillar transmission signals across the country,” said the public health researcher Oommen John.

    In Kerala and Maharashtra, he said, the delta variants seem to be surfacing so ensuring that the surveillance systems are sensitive to identify large clusters will be critical.

    “If surveillance is lax, health delivery systems will bear the brunt and we can avoid being caught unaware by better preparedness as data is key to informing policy response,” he added.

    Health systems and public policy specialist Chandrakant Lahariya, on the other hand, said it should be seen as a normal pattern.

    “We need to remember that in a pandemic, especially when we know that virus is still around and circulating, it is unlikely that cases would decline every single day,” he said, adding that India has reached a stage when weekly rolling average of new daily cases would stabilize.

    “Now onwards, the decline would be relatively slower and we may see a few days when cases would go up and a few days when cases go down,” Lahariya said while pointing out that at this stage, key would be to focus upon the districts specific rather than national and even state averages.

  • Record high 4,187 COVID-19 deaths in India, 4.01 lakh new cases

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India saw a record 4,187 fatalities due to COVID-19 in a single day, taking the country’s death toll to 2,38,270, while 4,01,078 new infections were reported in a day, pushing the tally to 2,18,92,676, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Saturday.

    Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 37,23,446, comprising 17.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 81.90 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,79,30, 960, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated.

    4,01,078 new #COVID19 cases and 4,187 deaths were reported in the country in the last 24 hours.Express Photo | @sooraj_TNIE pic.twitter.com/zzs0R1x2UR
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 8, 2021

    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, 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 2 crore on May 4.

    According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 30,04,10,043 samples have been tested up to May 7 with 18,08,344 samples being tested on Friday.

  • India adds record high 4,14,188 COVID-19 cases, 3,915 deaths in last 24 hours

    By Online Desk
    India reported 4,14,188 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

    With this, the cumulative count of COVID-19 cases in the country has gone up to 2,14,91,598, informed the Union Health Ministry.

    Around 3,915 people succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, with this the total death toll reached 2,34,083. India registered a total of 3,31,507 recoveries, taking total discharge to 1,76,12,351.

    ALSO READ: Covid second wave is nearing its peak, says Noted virologist Dr T Jacob John

    Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 36,45,164 comprising 16.96 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 81.95 per cent.

    The fatality rate is over 1 per cent.

    According to the ICMR, 29,86,01,699 samples have been tested up to May 6 with 18,26,490 samples being tested on Thursday.

    4,14,188 people tested positive for #COVID19 while 3,915 succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours. Total cases stand at 2,14,91,598. pic.twitter.com/a6lf0UYy8O
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 7, 2021

    On Thursday, Kerala, which accounted for over 10% of the nation’s tally, announced a rigourous nine-day complete lockdown till May 16, starting Saturday, as it recorded its highest single-day spike of 42,464 and 63 deaths. 

    Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh also decided to implement a lockdown to break the chain as COVID cases surged across the country.

    After almost a week of reporting less than 60,000 cases, Maharashtra’s tally increased by 62,194 on Thursday.

    The Supreme Court on Thursday was not satisfied with Centre’s oxygen supply strategy.

    “Your formula needs a relook. When you prepared the formula, not everybody who went to ICU needed oxygen. But now many home isolation patients need oxygen. Your formula does not take into account ambulances, Covid care facility etc,” Justice Chandrachud said.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • India sees record spike with over 3,46,786 new COVID-19 cases, 2,624 deaths

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: India recorded 3,46,786 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year.

    According to the official data issued by the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,624 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours

    The country’s total infection count has mounted to 1,66,10,481 cases, while 1,89,544 people have succumbed to the viral infection so far.

    Currently, there are 25,52,940 active cases of COVID-19 in the country, said the official data of the ministry.

    ALSO READ: COVID-19 survivors face increased risk of death, serious illness, says Study

    As many as 1,38,67,997 recoveries have been reported so far, out of which 2,19,838 were reported in the last 24 hours.

    According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 27,61,99,222 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to April 23. Of these, 17,53,569 were tested yesterday.

    Meanwhile, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the country stands at 13,83,79,832. 

  • India’s COVID-19 shortages spur black market for drugs, oxygen

    By AFP
    MUMBAI: As Poonam Sinha fought for her life, her distraught son found himself fending off black marketeers for coronavirus drugs after the Indian hospital treating her ran out of supplies.

    Dire medicine and oxygen shortages as India battles a ferocious new Covid-19 wave mean boom times for profit gougers, although some young volunteers are doing their best to help people on Twitter and Instagram.

    In the eastern city of Patna, Pranay Punj ran from one pharmacy to another in a frantic search for the antiviral medication remdesivir for his seriously ill mum.

    He finally located a pharmacist who said the drug could only be found on the black market, and offered to source it for an eye-popping 100,000 rupees ($1,340), over 30 times its usual price and three times the average monthly salary for an Indian white-collar worker.

    ALSO READ | ‘Beg, borrow, steal’: Delhi HC pulls up Centre on oxygen scarcity in hospitals for COVID patients

    Punj instead got the medicine from a distant relative whose wife had just died from the virus.

    But the nightmare was only beginning.

    In the middle of the night, he got a call informing him that the hospital had now exhausted its stock of oxygen, making his mother’s condition even more precarious.

    “Several hours later, we managed to procure one bed at (a) very high price in a private hospital and moved her there,” he told AFP.

    – Oxygen supplies –

    Similar heart-rending scenes are unfolding across the country, with desperate people taking to social media to beg for beds, oxygen or medication.

    Despite India’s status as the “pharmacy of the world”, the biggest producer of generic drugs has been unable to meet the demand for antiviral medication such as remdesivir and favipiravir.

    In the northern city of Lucknow, Ahmed Abbas was charged 45,000 rupees for a 46-litre oxygen cylinder, nine times its normal price.

    “They asked me to pay in advance and pick it (up) from them the next day,” the 34-year-old told AFP.

    The crisis has added to criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, already under fire for allowing huge religious gatherings and addressing crowded political rallies himself.

    Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal last weekend hit out at “doctors giving patients unnecessary oxygen”.

    “Patients should only be given as much oxygen as they need,” Goyal told reporters.

    ALSO READ | Over 3.14 lakh COVID cases in India, highest-ever recorded in any country; 2,104 succumb to the virus

    New Delhi is now planning to import 50,000 tonnes of oxygen and has set up a special train service called the “Oxygen Express” to transport cylinders to hard-hit states. 

    Modi said in an address to the nation on Tuesday night that “all efforts are being made” to boost supplies.

    “One solution to this crisis was to create a stockpile of antiviral drugs when cases were low, but that did not happen,” said Raman Gaikwad, an infectious diseases specialist at Sahyadri Hospital in the western city of Pune.

    Instead, remdesivir manufacturers told the Indian Express this week that government officials had ordered them to cease production in January because of a fall in infections.

    – Real-time desperation –

    With requests for beds and supplies reaching fever pitch on social media platforms, a network of activists and influencers has sprung into action to help those in trouble.

    Climate activist Disha Ravi and YouTuber Kusha Kapila are among the dozens of young Indians who have sourced, compiled and shared information detailing the real-time availability of hospital beds, local helplines, pharmacy numbers and even food delivery services.

    ALSO WATCH: Over 3.14 lakh COVID cases in India, highest-ever recorded in any country

    Content creator Srishti Dixit, 28, told AFP she received a new request for help every 30 seconds, creating a huge backlog.

    Unpaid, she works late into the night, editing and verifying details of where to get what and amplifying requests for help.

    ALSO READ: As cases rise, Remdesivir sells for Rs 20,000 in Adilabad

    But the lists she shares with her 684,000 Instagram followers becomes obsolete almost immediately as beds fill up and pharmacies sell out.

    “I am not always successful, I am sure there are lapses… but hopefully it is helping people at least on an individual level”, she said.

    With cases rising at a record pace, India’s government is leaving its healthcare workers and anxious citizens to pick up the pieces.

    “My friend is desperate… we have been trying for all the government helplines but none of them are responding (and) most of the oxygen suppliers have switched off their phones”, said Zain Zaidi, sales manager at a Lucknow hotel.

    “I just managed to find one supplier but he is charging 20,000 rupees. I have to buy it at any cost”, the 34-year-old told AFP in a panicked voice, disconnecting the call.

  • Uttarakhand witnesses 89 times increase in COVID cases during Mahakumbh 2021

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand has registered whopping 89 folds increase in duration of April 1-15 in comparison to February 14-28.

    The state added 172 cases from February 14-28 while 15,333 cases surfaced between April 1-14 amidst ongoing Mahakumbh in which over 50 lakh gathered in two days- April 12 and 14. 

    Anoop Nautiyal, from Social Development for Communities Foundation which has been analysing the Covid 19 data since March 2020, said, “Look at the figures and one can see through the grim situation. The state has conducted total 3,22,404 tests in last 16 days. This is an average of 20,150 tests against the Uttarakhand High Court directions of testing minimum 50000 samples in Haridwar only.”

    ALSO READ: No comparison between Markaz, Kumbh: Uttarakhand Chief Minister

    The number of daily Covid cases have reached 2000-2500 per day after commencement of the Mahakumbh in Haridwar from April 1 in comparison to 30-60 cases everyday in February,

    A review meeting on the situation in the state was taken by Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Friday. The CM instructed to ramp up testing and ensure all precautions to check the spread of Covid 19. 

    Total 2,402 new Covid cases were reported in Uttarakhand on Friday taking the total active cases count in the state to 13,546. The recovery rate further came down to 85.01% with positivity rate touching 3.65% across the state. 

    Meanwhile, the state has vaccinated total 12,85,993 people out of which 2,25,005 have got second dosage of the vaccine too. 

  • Madhya Pradesh reports 9,720 cases and 51 deaths in last 24 hours, positivity rate jumps to 21.7 per cent

    By Express News Service
    BHOPAL: Among the top ten states in the country in terms of COVID-19 cases and mortalities, Madhya Pradesh reported highest single day spike of 9720 new cases and maximum of 51 deaths over the last 24 hours.

    The day’s positivity rate too zoomed from the previous day’s 19.3% to 21.7%.

    Out of the 52 districts, as many as 28 districts reported cases in 3 digits, including 700 in Gwalior and 602 in Jabalpur, while five other districts, among them Shajapur, Ujjain, Sagar, Rewa, Vidisha reported single day rise of 200-plus new cases.

    The two prime COVID hotspots of the state, Indore (1611 cases) and Bhopal (1497 cases), reported cases in four digits for the second consecutive day.

    The total spike of 9720 cases over the last 24 hours was the maximum single day spike since March 2020, eight per cent more than the previous day’s spike of 8998 cases.

    The two prime COVID hotspots – Indore and Bhopal – with a collective spike of 3108 cases accounted for 32% of total new cases in the state.

    During the last 24 hours, MP also reported the highest single day toll of 51 COVID deaths. Previously, 45 maximum single day deaths had happened in the state on September 23, 2020.

    As many as 3657 patients recovered from the killer viral infection during the last 24 hours.

    With 9720 new cases, the state has so far reported 3,63,352 positive cases, out of which 49,551 are presently active cases. Since March 2020, the state has so far reported 4312 deaths.

    Remdesivir Injections and Oxygen Supply to hospitals

    Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed on Wednesday that 31,000 Remdisivir injections have already been procured by the government, while 12,000 more will arrive by Thursday morning. “I’ve directed that a helicopter is standing, use it to dispatch injections to all needy districts. As of now, I can assure you that the shortage of Remdisivir injections has been addressed totally in government hospitals. I’m equally concerned about private hospitals, we’re tying-up with companies to address the shortage of injections in the private hospitals too.”

    While admitting that supply of Oxygen is a big challenge, the CM said, “Till Tuesday, 272 metric tonnes Oxygen was available in the state, which has gone up to 280 metric tonnes on Wednesday. I’ve requested the railways minister for oxygen supply from Bhilai and Rourkela. I’ve requested him to take steps if it’s possible to load oxygen tankers in goods trains to reach us speedily.”

    “We’ve also operationalized Air Separation/Oxygen Concentration Units in Ujjain, Shivpuri, Khandwa and Seoni, while four more such units were to start soon in Mandsaur, Ratlam, Morena and Jabalpur. We’ve also ordered 2000 Oxygen Concentrators, out of which we’ve already received 180 concentrators and will get another 750 by Friday,” he added.

  • Lockdown to relief package: Uddhav Thackeray reviews COVID situation with task force in Maharashtra

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday insisted on sticking on with the eight day lockdown even as the task force recommended the 14 days lockdown. 

    Thackeray said that after the eight days lockdown, it can be extended further if it is yielding a positive result. However, the task force said that they should impose the 14 days lockdown so that the administration and local authorities will get enough time to start the jumbo Covid cure centres and extend other facilities. Final decision will be taken soon.

    The meeting with the task force was called to review the present pandemic situation. In the meeting, he was informed that there are 12 districts with no beds available at present for the COVID-19 patients while 75 per cent of ICU and 40 per cent oxygen beds are presently occupied by the patients across the state.

    Besides, out of 1200 metric tonne of oxygen productions, 980 metric tonne is used for health purpose.

    ALSO READ: COVID appropriate behaviour not being followed in 50 most-affected districts in 3 states, says Government

    In the meeting, the task force also suggested that the 95 per cent of positive asymptomatic patients with mild symptoms can be cured at home only, which will reduce the burden on the hospitals and health services.

    It was also decided that in the Nandurbar district the isolation the centre will be started in railway compartments and the state government will also speak with the railway ministry in this regard.

    It was also discussed that before announcing the lockdown, the poor and needy whose life depends on daily work should be compensated by announcing a relief package. 

    Thackeray will have again meeting with the deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who is also finance minister, decide the package and other financial relief measures during the lockdown.

    Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is consulting each and every department and their opinions are also considered. He was involved in every meeting so that the lockdown is not harsh and crumble the wheel of the economy. The task force also suggested that the indiscriminate use of Remdesivir should be stopped.

    Key Numbers

    Oxygen: 1200 MT generated, 980 MT used daily in Maharashtra
    75 per cent ICU beds occupied presently
    40 per cent oxygen beds occupied
    No bed available at 12 districts of Maharashtra

  • COVID-19 spreading faster than last time in India, next four weeks critical, says Centre

    By Online Desk
    The Health Ministry officials addressing the media on Tuesday confirmed that Covid is spreading faster than ever before while terming the situation in Chhattisgarh to be a cause of concern.

    A day after India’s daily COVID cases crossed one lakh for the first time since the pandemic, the Health Ministry officials said that Chhattisgarh’s Durg was among the top 10 districts with high active COVID cases. Other districts s included seven in Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Pune, and one in Karnataka.

    The intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased in India and it is spreading faster than last time, they added.

    According to Health Ministry, Maharashtra, Punjab and Chhattisgarh remain states of maximum concern on account of high daily COVID-19 cases, deaths.

    At the press conference, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said the pandemic situation in the country worsened with a sharp rise in cases and a large part of the population is still susceptible to the virus.

    “The intensity of the pandemic has increased and it is spreading faster than last time. In some states, it (the condition) is worse than others but the upswing (in cases) can be observed across the country,” he said.

    “People’s participation is vital to control the second wave. The next four weeks are going to very critical. The entire country has to come together and make efforts to fight the pandemic.”

    He said the number of coronavirus cases is increasing and along with that mortality is also on the rise.

    “Still, in terms of the population size and in terms of deaths per million we are doing well and the pandemic is in control.”

    Detailing the COVID-19 situation in India, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said Chhattisgarh’s Durg is among the top 10 districts with high active COVID cases.

    “Among these 10 districts, seven are in Maharashtra and one in Karnataka. Delhi, counted as one district, is also in the list.”

    The 10 districts with the highest number of new cases are Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Nashik, Bengaluru Urban, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Delhi and Durg, he said.

    Bhushan further said that Maharashtra, Punjab and Chhattisgarh still remain states of maximum concern.

    “Given their population, the number of deaths being reported by Punjab and Chhatisgarh is a cause of extreme concern,” he said.

    The Centre has constituted 50 high-level multi-disciplinary public health teams and deployed them to districts reporting a surge in cases and mortality in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab, the Union health secretary said.

    These teams were being deployed in 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 of Chhattisgarh and nine of Punjab.

    Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal were among the states that administered the maximum number of COVID vaccine doses, Bhushan said and emphasised that the immunisation drive has to be ramped up in a scientific manner.

    “Chhattisgarh is a cause of concern for us. Despite being a small state, it reports 6% of total COVID cases and 3% of total deaths in the country. The condition of Chhattisgarh has deteriorated in the second wave of infections,” said Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.

    Stressing the need for RT-PCR tests, the Health Secretary said we have asked state governments to increase the percentage of RT-PCR tests, which had been falling in Maharashtra in the last few weeks.

    Only 60% of total tests were done using the RT-PCR method in Maharashtra last week. We suggest states to take it to 70% or above, he explained.

    Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal were among states that administered the maximum number of COVID vaccine doses, it was noted.

    In India, 96,982 daily cases have been reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll increased to 1,65,547 with 446 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • Migrants responsible for spread of coronavirus in Maharashtra, says MNS chief Raj Thackeray

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday said migrant workers from other states were responsible for the rapid spread of coronavirus in Maharashtra, which has been reporting a large number of new infections since the last few weeks.

    He said the states the migrant labourers hailed from lacked adequate facilities to test them for coronavirus.

    “Maharashtra is the most industrialised state in India which attracts a large number of workers from other states. The places from where these workers come lacked enough testing facilities.

    “During the lockdown last year, I had suggested that migrant workers who returned to their native places should be tested, but it was not done,” Raj Thackeray told reporters after a virtual interaction with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    Raj Thackeray said he asked the CM to allow sportspersons to join the practice sessions and to permit gymnasiums to function with social distancing.

    Talking about the new set of restrictions imposed in Maharashtra from Monday night, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president said all shops should be kept open for at least two or three days duringthis period.

    As per the curbs announced by the state government on Sunday, except for the essential services shops, medical shops and grocery shops, all other shops, markets and shopping malls will be closed in Maharashtra till April 30.

    “The government says manufacturing will be allowed during the time of restrictions but not the shops. If shops are not allowed to remain open then what’s the logic behind allowing the manufacturing activity?” he asked.

    He also demanded that the electricity bills of the people be waived during the lockdown period.

    “Industrial production is stopped, offices are being closed and many people are losing their jobs. In such a scenario why should people pay the power bills?” he questioned.

    Raj Thackeray appealed to the state government to promote all the students of classes 10 and 12, who are supposed to appear for the offline examinations.

    The government should discuss with banks the issues like recovery of loans and arrears from the people, he added.

    The MNS leader also said that full fees should not be charged from parents by schools because the education is shifted to the online mode.

    Replying to questions on the resignation of state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh,Raj Thackeray said the focus should not be diverted from the main issue of the conspiracy behind the planting of an explosives-laden vehicle outside the south Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in February.

    “Anil Deshmukh is not important. Why did (former Mumbai police commissioner) Param Bir Singh remember the Rs 100 crore target only after his transfer.

    “The allegations that Deshmukh set the target to some police officers to collect Rs 100 crore from hotels, restaurants and barsper month are shameful,” he said.