Coronavirus news highlights: PM Modi holds review meeting on India's Covid-19 and vaccination situation

India added a record 2,34,692 new coronavirus infections in a day on Saturday taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 1,45,26,609, while active cases surpassed the 16-lakh mark. The death toll increased to 1,75,649 with 1,341 new fatalities. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa was reinfected with the disease, and the state announced an extension of the night curfew in Bengaluru and 7 other cities beyond April 20. Follow DH for live updates.

PM holds review meeting on India's Covid-19 and vaccination situation

Maharashtra reports over 67,000 Covid-19 cases, 419 deaths

Dialled PM Modi to discuss oxygen shortage issue but he was busy with Bengal polls, says Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

“Yesterday evening, I dialled him (Modi) but I could not speak to him as he was busy in West Bengal elections. However, we are receiving all cooperation from the Centre,” Thackeray said.

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Mumbai sees 8834 fresh Covid-19 cases, 52 deaths

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a resident for a Covid-19 test at a medical centre in Dharavi slums inMumbaion April 17, 2021. Credit: AFP Photo

Tamil Nadu reports 9,344 new Covid-19 cases, 5,263 discharges and 39 deaths Total positive cases: 9,80,728 Total discharges: 9,02,022 Death toll: 13,071 Active cases: 65,635

People wait for their turn to receive the Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at a government hospital in Chennai on April 16, 2021. Credit: AFP Photo

Covid survivors may require just one shot of a two-dose vaccine

Coronavirus vaccines were just rolling out in December when more than 1,000 staffers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles volunteered for a sweeping study. The goal: pinpoint how immune reactions to the jab might vary.

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Karnataka logs 17,489 fresh Covid-19 cases and 80 deaths. Bengaluru sees 11,404 new cases and 43 deaths.

A family member performs a ritual during the funeral of a Covid-19 victim at a crematorium in Bengaluru, Friday, April 16, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

Uttarakhand reports 2757 new Covid-19 cases including 1179 cases in Dehradun, 617 cases in Haridwar; taking the total number of cases to 1,21,403.

Kerala logs over 13,000 Covid-19 cases, 27 deaths

In the highest single day surge in the past few months, Kerala recorded 13,835 positive cases on Saturday, pushing the infection count to 12,21,167 lakh and the active cases to 80,019, the state government said. The toll rose to 4,904 with 27 more fatalities.

As many as 3,654 people were cured of the disease today, taking the total recoveries to 11,35,921.

A government release said as part of mass testing, 1,35,159 samples were collected on Friday from various parts of the state.

States raise with Centre issues of increasing supply of oxygen cylinder, Remdesivir to hospitals

Increasing supply of oxygen cylinders and Remdesivir in hospitals, adding ventilator stocks and enhanced supply of vaccine doses were issues raised by 11 states and Union Territories at a meeting convened by the Centre on Saturday amid a spurt in coronavirus cases.

The high-level meeting was chaired by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with the health ministers of 11 states and union territories to review measures taken by them for prevention, containment and management of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.

Delhi govt deputes bureaucrats in pvt hospitals for better Covid management

Seeking better Covid-19 management, the Delhi government has deputed bureaucrats in private hospitals too in view of the raging pandemic in the city, officials said on Saturday.

A total of 10 IAS officers have already been appointed nodal officers at various Covid hospitals of the Delhi government.

"About 15 DANICS officers have been posted in private hospitals across Delhi to handhold the management and oversee adherence of all Covid measures," the health department said in a statement.

Covid has hit with fury; despite a year to prepare, we were caught off guard again: Sonia Gandhi

With the country witnessing a massive rise in Covid-19 cases, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday accused the Modi government of "gross unpreparedness" and "adhocism" in managing the crisis and suggested reducing the immunization age to 25 years and providing income support to people.

Chairing the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), she also called for making all equipment, medicines and instruments required for treating Covid-19 free of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The cause for the surge in Covid-19 cases is multifactorial, says AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria

This is what Dr Guleria had to say about the rising Covid-19 numbers in the country:

-- 2 main causes are - when in January/February vaccination started & cases went down, people stopped following Covid-appropriate behaviour & at this time, the virus mutated and it spread more rapidly.

-- We are seeing a huge strain on the healthcare system and have to keep increasing our hospital beds/resources for the increasing number of cases. We also have to urgently bring down the number of Covid-19 cases.

-- This a time when a lot of religious activities happen in our country & polls also underway. We must understand lives are also important. We can do this in a restricted manner so that religious sentiment is not hurt & Covid-appropriate behaviour can be followed.

-- We have to remember that no vaccine is 100% efficient. You may get the infection but the antibodies in our body will not allow the virus to multiply and you'll not have the severe disease

(ANI)

Delhi Weekend Curfew: Strict checking by police

A man walks past shops with the shutters closed as a lockdown is in effect wherein only those catering to essential services were allowed to commute as directed by the Delhi state government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 infections in New Delhi | AFP

Covid vaccines don't stop one from getting infected, but help in reducing severity: Health economist

In an interview with PTI, Malani said, "I fear this is the biggest misunderstanding around India and even in other countries today. Previous infection and vaccines do not stop you from being infected. That was never how immunity worked. Instead, natural and vaccine-acquired immunity is helpful because it helps you clear the infection faster once you are infected."

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Covid victim’s body ferried on tractor

State-wise Covid-19 cases, deaths on April 17

Not wearing a face mask on trains and in railways premises now attracts a fine of up to Rs 500

Not wearing masks on railway premises and in trains can attract a fine of up to Rs 500, with the national transporter now incorporating it as an offence under the Railway Act, according to an order issued on Saturday.

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Sonia Gandhi demands Covid-19 vaccination age be reduced to 25 years

Accusing the Modi government of "gross unpreparedness" and "adhocism" in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday made a slew of suggestions to the Centre to deal with the pandemic such as reducing the immunization age to 25 years and providing income support to people.

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Odisha CM urges PM to allow sale of Covid-19 vaccines in open market

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Covid-19 vaccines available in the open market for citizens willing to buy them.

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Actor Sonu Sood tests positive for Covid-19, self-isolates

It is true that after months of denial, the Centre has now given emergency use authorization for vaccines developed elsewhere. Govt must also reconsider its priority for vaccine candidates by reducing immunization age to 25 years and above: Sonia Gandhi

(ANI)

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah holds roadshow in Amdanga, North 24 Parganas district amid the rising Covid-19 cases.

Oxygen supply hit in Bengaluru hospitals. Patient support groups get requests for shifting patients out of hospitals due to dearth of oxygen.

(DHNS)

Migrant workers stand in a queue to board outstation train to go their native place at Panvel Railway Station, amid rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, in Navi Mumbai, Friday, Aril 16, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

BMC Mayor Kishori Pednekar suggests complete lockdown in Maharashtra

95% of Mumbaikars are adhering to Covid-19 restrictions. The remaining 5% of people who are not following restrictions are causing problems to others. I think a complete lockdown should be imposed looking at the current Covid-19 situation: BMC Mayor Kishori Pednekar

(ANI)

DGP HC Awasthy, ACS Information Navneet Sehgal and Lucknow DM Abhishek Prakash test positive for Covid-19.

(ANI)

Lucknow: IAS officer Roshan Jacob appointed DM incharge for Covid-19 management, after DM Abhishek Prakash tested positive for Covid-19

Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy tests positive for Covid-19.

67 healthcare workers, in Uttarakhand, have tested positive for Covid-19. The cases are spread across Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts: Dr SK Gupta, Director of State Medical and Health Department

(ANI)

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to hold a review meeting on the Covid-19 situation today. Nodal Minister for COVID19 management Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other officials to take part in the meeting.

Credit: PTI File Photo

India reports 2,34,692 new Covid-19 cases, 1,23,354 discharges and 1,341 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.

Total cases: 1,45,26,609
Total recoveries: 1,26,71,220
Active cases: 16,79,740
Death toll: 1,75,649

Total vaccination: 11,99,37,641

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26,49,72,022 samples tested for Covid-19 up to April 16 2021, of these 14,95,397 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

(ANI)

We respect Prime Minister's appeal. I request the people to not come for 'snan' in large numbers, in the wake of Covid-19 situation, and follow all rules: Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandleshwar, Juna Akhara

Devotees gather to offer prayers during the third 'Shahi Snan' of the Kumbh Mela 2021, at Har ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

PM Narendra Modi speaks to Swami Avdheshanand Giri over telephone, requests that Kumbh Mela should now only be symbolic in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, now that two 'shahi snans' have concluded.

DH Toon | 'The campaign worked. The virus has become more Atmanirbhar!'

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Covid-19 vaccinations near 12 crore-mark in India: Health ministry

The total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country approached the 12 crore-mark on Friday with more than 26.14 lakh doses being given till 8 pm, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

(PTI)

An ambulance driver drinks water at Old Seempuri Cremation Ground as coronavirus casualities spike in the national capital, in New Delhi, Friday, April 16, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

Mismatch between govt’s Covid-19 death figures and bodies arriving for last rites in Bhopal

Last rites of 108 people who died of coronavirus in Bhopal were performed on Thursday, a figure vastly different from the Madhya Pradesh government's claim on Covid-19 fatalities that day, according to records maintained by crematoriums and graveyards in the state capital and officials working there.

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OPINION | India is giving Covid-19 a free run

Though health experts had repeatedly warned of a more serious and severe second wave of Covid-19, the absence of a clear and cogent strategy both by the Centre and the Karnataka government has given the virus a free run.

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In this aerial picture taken on April 16, 2021, relatives and friends gather to bury the dead bodies of Covid-19 coronavirus victims at a graveyard in New Delhi. Credit: AFP Photo

Nitish Kumar chairs high-level meeting on Covid-19 ahead of all-party meet

A day before an all-party meeting called by the Governor on the Covid-19 situation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Friday held a high-level meeting to discuss the steps taken so far to check the spread of the disease and availability of oxygen for critically ill patients.

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Karnataka reports biggest single-day spike of 14,859 Covid-19 cases

Karnataka recorded yet another highest single-day spike on Friday with 14,859 Covid-19 positive cases. Of these, 9,917 were from Bengaluru Urban alone. The state had previously reported its biggest single day spike of 14,738 cases on Thursday.

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Good morning, readers. Welcome to your live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.