Coronavirus News highlights: Haryana Deputy CM asks FM Sitharaman to exempt oxygen concentrators from GST

India on Sunday reported a slight dip in its single-day case tally with 3.92 lakh cases while deaths stood at an all-time high of 3,689. PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with experts to review the availability of oxygen and other medicines, and also took steps to incentivise joining Covid-19 duty for medical and nursing students. Meanwhile, Odisha has announced a 14-day lockdown which will come into effect on May 5, while Haryana announced a 7-day lockdown which will begin on May 3.

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Delhi's Ganga Ram Hospital receives 6 tonnes medical oxygen amid shortage

Haryana Deputy CM writes to FM Sitharaman asks her to exempt oxygen concentrators from GST

Fourth relief consignment comprising 1.25 lakh vials of Remdesivir from US lands in Delhi

Maharashtra logs over 56,000 new Covid-19 cases, 669 deaths

Maharashtraon Sunday reported 56,647 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 669 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 47,22,401 and the toll to 70,284, the state health department said.

Maharashtrais left with 6,68,353 active cases after 51,356 patients were discharged during the day, taking the count of recoveries in the state to 39,81,658 so far, the department said in a release. (PTI)

At 24,000, Delhi reports more recoveries than new Covid-19 cases

Delhi records 24,000 recoveries, 407Covid-19 deaths, over 20,000 cases, with positivity rate of 28.33 per cent: Health Bulletin. (PTI)

Bihar to prioritise Covid-19 vaccine for journalists, CM Nitish announces

On the instruction of Chief MinisterNitishKumar, the Bihar government on Sunday decided to give the status of frontline workers to the journalists who will get Covid-19vaccination on a priority basis.

All the journalists accredited with the Information and Public Relations Department at the state level and also non-accredited scribes authenticated by the district public relation officers, from print, electronic and web media, will be considered as frontline workers for inoculation, an official statement said. (PTI)

Delhi HC urges 'iron-hand' approach with black marketeers, hoarders of Covid essentials

The Delhi High Court on Sunday asked the authorities to ensure that none of the medicines or equipment required for treatment of Covid-19 was sold above the maximum retail price, saying black marketeers and hoarders would be dealt with an iron hand.

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UK sends 1,000 more ventilators to India

The UK said Sunday it was sending an extra 1,000 oxygen ventilators to Covid-struck India, as a group of doctors staged their own intervention by offering long-distance telemedicine from Britain.

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Photography at crematorium made punishable offence in Yogi Adityanath's home town of Gorakhpur

Close on the heels of the municipal authorities erecting a temporary wall around the main crematorium in the state capital of Lucknow, allegedly to hide the mounting death figures, the administration in Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's home town of Gorakhpur also put up signboards at the crematorium stating that photography and videography were "punishable offence".

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India’s Covid-19 crisis shakes Modi’s image of strength

His Covid-19 task force didn’t meet for months. His health minister assured the public in March that India had reached the pandemic’s “endgame.” A few weeks before that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi boasted to global leaders that his nation had triumphed over the coronavirus.

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India recording 50% of world’s new Covid cases, deaths: OMAG

As the second Covid-19 wave continues to ravage the country, India is recording 50 per cent of the global new cases and 30 per cent of deaths, a new analysis has revealed.

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Taiwan delivers medical supplies to India amid Covid-19 surge

Taiwan on Sunday delivered to India 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders to assist the country in its fight against a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

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China deletes social media posts mocking Covid-hit India after backlash

A social media post by China’s top law enforcement body juxtaposing the country’s successful launch of a module into space with grim cremation pyres in India was deleted after it sparked online criticism in China.

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Goa lockdown to end on Monday; new Covid restrictions for eight more days

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that Covid-19 related restrictions will continue to be in place for eight more days, after the ongoing four-day lockdown ends on Monday (May 3).

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Andhra Pradesh government postpones Intermediate examinations due to Covid-19

The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday announced the postponement of the year-end examinations for Intermediate students, "in deference to the suggestion of the High Court."

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Automakers firm up measures to safeguard workforce amid Covid-19 surge

As the second wave of Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc across the country, leading automobile companies have initiated various steps to safeguard their workforce from the highly infectious disease.

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Karnataka sees 37,733 new cases, over 21,000 recoveries

Tamil Nadu Covid-19 cases reach new daily high of 20,000 on counting day

Tamil Nadu reports 20,768 new Covid-19 cases, 17,576 recoveries, and 153 deaths in the last 24 hours

Active cases: 1,20,444

Total recoveries: 10,72,322

Death toll: 14,346

(ANI)

In view of Covid-19, Army introduces measures to reduce attendance in offices, cancels all physical meetings

As part of Indian Army efforts to contain spread of #COVID infection and maintain force preservation, fresh instructions have been promulgated. These instructions will be in effect till 31 May 2021: Indian Army (ANI)

The measures include reduced attendance in offices of all HQs/establishments including Army HQ, cancellation of all physical conferences/meetings, deferment of all moves on postings, temporary duties and courses: Indian Army (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh logs 30,000 new Covid-19 cases, 290 deaths

Uttar Pradesh reports 30,983 fresh Covid-19 cases (out of 2,97,021 tests), 36,650 recoveries, and 290 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per State Health Department

Total cases: 13,13,361

Total recoveries: 10,04,447

Active cases: 2,95,752

Death toll: 13,162

On counting day, Kerala reports 31,000 new Covid-19 cases

Covid-19: Delhi University defers final year exams due to Covid-19

DelhiUniversity has decided to defer final year examinations amid rising Covid-19 cases in the city, officials said on Sunday.

The final year and final semester exams were supposed to begin from May 15 but will now begin from June 1. They will be in online mode and held in the open-book format.

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RCB promises financial help for oxygen support, to also raise funds amid Covid-19 crisis

IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday pledged financial assistance for infrastructure "related to oxygen support" in India's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and will also raise funds by auctioning special blue jerseys to be worn by players in an upcoming match.

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Centre to set up temporary hospitals with 10,000 oxygenated beds near industrial units

The government expects to make 10,000 oxygenated beds available in a short period of time by making temporary hospitals near industrial units which produce oxygen of requisite purity to boost the supply of the life-saving gas to fight Covid-19.

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France delivers 28 tonnes of medical supplies to India

France on Sunday delivered to India 28 tonnes of ready-to-use medical supplies including eight large oxygen plants as part of the first phase of its solidarity mission to the country which has been grappling with record coronavirus cases.

The French embassy said each of the eight plants can continuously supply oxygen to a 250-bed hospital round-the-clock for a dozen years and that they produce medical oxygen from ambient air.

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Crisis Management Group formed to tackle Covid-19 situation in J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has constituted a five-member Crisis Management Group (CMG) to monitor the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the Union Territory to take preventive and mitigating measures accordingly.

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Bihar ayurvedic hospital witnessing surge in footfall amid Covid-19 crisis

As people are desperately looking for tips to boost their immune system to fight against the deadly coronavirus, a state-run ayurvedic college and hospital here is witnessing increased footfall.

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Delhi police arrest ambulance driver for overcharging transportation of Covid patients' bodies

Delhi Police have arrested an ambulance driver for over-charging for transporting bodies of #COVID patients. The driver demanded Rs 14,000 from a decoy of the police to take a body to Nigam Bodh ghat from NuLife Hospital in Mukherjee Nagar, a distance of 6-km: Police (ANI)

Haryana announces 7-day lockdown from May 3

Haryana government on Sunday ordered a 7-day long complete lockdown in the stateto curb the spread of the coronavirus, Home Minister Anil Vij announced on Twitter.

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Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain loses father to Covid-19, CM Kejriwal announces

Delhi children's hospital which had earlier issues oxygen SOS receives 10 cylinders

Oxygen Express carrying 30.86 MT Oxygen has departed to Delhi: Piyush Goyal

More Covid-19 aid lands in India as Canada, Brazil struggle with outbreaks

India struggled to contain one of the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks with nearly 400,000 new infections reported Sunday, as more international aid arrived in the South Asian nation to help end the crisis.

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Nigeria restricts passengers from India, Brazil, Turkey over virus

With the counting of votes underway, the Election Commission Sunday said it has taken a stern view of reports of congregation of people to celebrate anticipated victory, and has asked the chief secretaries concerned to file an FIR in each case and suspend the police station in charge where such gatherings happen.

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Steps taken to incentivise medical, nursing students and pass-outs to join Covid-19 duty in PM's meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reviewed various measures to augment human resources for effective management of the Covid-19 situation and possible steps discussed include incentivising students and pass-outs of medical and nursing courses to join the pandemic duty, sources said.

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PM Modi chairs virtual meeting to review availability of oxygen, Covid-19 medicines

States/UTs to receive 56 lakh vaccine doses in next 3 days: MoS Health

Israel bans travel to India, six other countries due to Covid-19

Israel has temporarily barred its citizens from travelling to India and six other countries, citing high Covid-19 infection rates there.

A joint press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Health Ministry on Friday said that Israelis will not be allowed to travel to Ukraine, Brazil, Ethiopia, South Africa, India, Mexico and Turkey.

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Prices of oxygen concentrators soar amid great demand over Covid-19

As the pandemic worsens each day, oxygen concentrators are in great demand in the state, with prices of the device almost doubling from pre-Covid times.

The device, which concentrates oxygen from ambient air by removing nitrogen and supplying oxygen, lasts longer and, unlike cylinders, is a boon for those at home as it doesn't require refilling and just needs to be charged. It's no surprise that it is selling like hot cakes amid unending oxygen shortages across the country.

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Odisha declares journalists as frontline Covid warriors

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday declared working journalists of the state as frontline Covid warriors.

While approving a proposal to this effect, the chief minister said, journalists are doing a great service to the state by providing seamless news feed and making people aware of coronavirus-related issues.

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Children's hospital in Delhi issues oxygen SOS

As Delhi continues to struggle to acquire oxygen for Covid-19 patients, a children's hospital in the city has issued an SOS for liquid oxygen.

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10 states form 76% of India's record 3,689 new deaths

No new Covid deaths reported in 4 states/UTs: Union Health Ministry

Record 217 new cases push Arunachal's Covid-19 tally to 18,636

ArunachalPradesh's Covid-19 tally mounted to 18,636 as the state reported its highest single-day spike of 217 new cases on Sunday, a health official said.

The state's death toll remained unchanged at 59 as no fresh fatality was reported, State Surveillance Officer Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

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Delhi sets up vaccination centres for all aged 18-44 across 77 government schools

Arrangements for vaccination centres have been made at 77 government schools too for #COVID19vaccination of people between 18-44 years of age. These schools will be attached to their nearest hospitals for vaccination from Monday, 3rd May: Delhi Government official (ANI)

Odisha announces 14-day Covid-19 lockdown

Odisha on Sunday announced a state-wide 14-day lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19. The lockdown will begin on May 5 and end on May 19.

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Telangana logs 7,430 new Covid-19 cases, 56 fatalities as death toll rises to 2,368

Telanganareported 7,430 fresh Covid-19 cases taking the tally to over 4.50 lakh while the toll rose to 2,368 with 56 more casualties.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 1,546, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (533) and Rangareddy (475), a government bulletin said on Sunday providing details as of 8 PM on May 1.

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2,869 new Covid-19 cases, 53 more deaths reported in Maharashtra's Thane

Thane has reported 2,869 new cases of coronavirus, raising the infection count in the Maharashtra district to 4,70,050, an official said on Sunday.

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India reports record 3,689 deaths, slight dip in daily Covid-19 cases with 3,92,488 cases

India on Sunday reported 3,92,488 new Covid-19 infections and record 3,689 deaths as the nation awaits the results of crucial assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory.

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No shortage of medical grade oxygen: Belagavi DC

Deputy Commissioner Dr K Harish Kumar informed that there was no shortage of medical grade oxygen in the district for patients admitted for treatment for Covid-19 in government and private facilities.

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Scientists have stepped up to battle the Covid-19 pandemic

Throughout the first and second wave of the pandemic, Indian scientists have come together to address the crisis in multiple ways.

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Will return to India in a few days, says Adar Poonawalla

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has said he will return to India from London in a few days.

Poonawalla made the announcement soon after he spoke out about the pressures he was under over the production of Covid-19 vaccines to meet the ever-increasing demand in India as the country battles through a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Had an excellent meeting with all our partners & stakeholders in the U.K. Meanwhile, pleased to state that COVISHIELD's production is in full swing in Pune. I look forward to reviewing operations upon my return in a few days," Poonawalla said in a midnight tweet. - PTI

Centre raises Delhi's daily oxygen quota to 590 MT

Amid an acute shortage of oxygen in Delhi hospitals, the Centre on Saturday raised the national capital's daily quota of the life-saving gas to 590 metric tonne from 490 MT.

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DH Toon | Is this Modi govt's plan B to tackle Covid?

The Narendra Modi government has been critical about the media coverage of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in India. The criticism isn't just limited to the Indian media reports and a social media clampdown but has also beenextended to certain international publications.

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Seven states see symbolic start to 3rd phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive

At least seven states on Saturday launched the third phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive covering the 18-44 age group – albeit in a symbolic way – as infections across the country crossed the four lakh new cases per day mark.

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'Oxygen concentrators use only in moderate Covid cases'

Health experts on Saturday said oxygen concentrators can be used only in moderate cases of Covid-19 when a patient experiences a drop in oxygen level and not by everyone who finds it below acceptable limits.

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Coronavirus wrecks Delhi's health infrastructure

India’s economy slowing down, Covid-19 vaccine is the best bet

The Indian economy was expected to grow by 12-13% in 2021-22, primarily on the back of the contraction it saw in 2020-21. But with the second wave of the covid pandemic spreading across the country, the expected double-digit growth is now in peril.

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Over 80,000 people in 18-44 age group vaccinated on May 1: Centre

The Health Ministry said84,599 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine in the country on Saturday.

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'Every time I’m calling, someone has died': The anguish of India’s diaspora

The Indian diaspora have looked on in horror as the country records more infections per day than any other since the pandemic began. For many, the pain has been accompanied by a realisation of their worst fear: That when the people they love need them the most, they can’t be there to help.

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China approaches India’s neighbours amid new Covid wave

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s government in Dhaka is holding talks with Beijing to procure vaccines and for aid in manufacturing them in the country.

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Taiwan's first batch of Covid-19 aid leaves for India

Taiwan's first batch of aid to India to help it fight a surging increase in Covid-19 infections left for New Delhi on Sunday, consisting of 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the aid consignment left on a China Airlines freighter on Sunday morning and would be received by India's Red Cross. - Reuters

Russia looking forward to cooperate with India to contain Covid-19

As the first batch of 1,50,000 doses of Russian-made Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine arrived in India, Russia on Saturday said it was looking forward to further expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation with New Delhi to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

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