COVID-19 Cases in India: 3,780 people died of Covid in India the last 24 hours, highest in a day so far.
Principal Scientific Advisor to Centre K Vijay Raghavan on Wednesday said that the "third phase" of the COVID-19 is inevitable.
"A phase three is inevitable, given the higher levels of circulating virus but it is not clear on what time scale this phase three will occur. We should prepare for new waves," the Principal Scientific Advisor said.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court today put on hold the contempt notice issued by the Delhi High Court on May 4 against the Union government's officers over non-compliance of order for 700 metric tonnes oxygen to the national capital.
The top asked the Center to apprise it by tomorrow 10:30am, when the court assembles again, as to how it will make available 700 metric tonnes oxygen in Delhi.
Meanwhile, 3,780 people died of Covid in India the last 24 hours, the highest in a day so far, pushing the total fatalities to 2,26,188. India's Covid caseload hit 2.06 crore with over 3.82 lakh new cases as the crisis continues to crush the healthcare system.
India is second only to the United States in the total number of cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
In stern remarks, the Allahabad High Court Tuesday observed that the death of COVID-19 patients just for non-supply of oxygen to hospitals is a criminal act, "not less than a genocide" by authorities entrusted the task to ensure the oxygen supply chain is maintained.
The remarks were made on some news items doing the rounds on social media regarding the death of COVID-19 patients due to lack of oxygen in Lucknow and Meerut districts. The court also ordered a probe into the incidents.
Here are the Live updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
80 FIRs Filed, 615 People Fined For Violating Covid Rules In J&K's PoonchOver 600 people were fined for not wearing a mask, while 80 FIRs were registered for violations of Covid-19 guidelines during the past four days in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.
During the period, 615 people were found roaming without a face mask and disregarding social distancing rules, for which Rs 1,28,600 was collected as fines from them, they said.
Chaos At Mumbai Vaccination Centre As People Rush In For JabsA mega inoculation centre in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area witnessed chaotic scenes on Wednesday afternoon as a large number of beneficiaries thronged the site for getting jabs against COVID-19 since early morning, reported news agency PTI.
However, the city's civic body denied any "mismanagement" in handling the situation at BKC, a business district in the suburbs.
Officials said hundreds of beneficiaries, including senior citizens, thronged the BKC jumbo vaccine centre since early morning. In the afternoon, when the gates of the centre were opened, the crowd rushed to enter inside and the situation became chaotic between 1 pm and 2 pm.
According to the officials, a couple of women fell on the ground after a barricade broke in the melee but there was no report of injury caused to any beneficiaries. The police intervened and controlled the situation, they said.
3 Arrested In Bengaluru For Black Marketing Hospital Beds Amid Covid Spike: Cops
The Central Division of the Bengaluru Police on Wednesday unearthed a case of black marketing of hospital beds amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. reported news agency ANI.
According to the police, three people were arrested in connection with the case.
This comes amid the devastating shortage of medical supplies, drugs and other necessary equipment due to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.
Over the last few days, black marketing of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir and oxygen cylinders was rampant.
Ensure Strict Lockdown, Act Against Black-Marketers Amid Pandemic: Haryana Top Cop To Officers
Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Yadava instructed the police officers to activate a robust mechanism to strictly enforce the lockdown order across the state, reported news agency ANI.
In view of surge in COVID-19 infections, a 7-day lockdown was imposed in Haryana starting May 3.
The directives were given to all Commissioners of Police and district Superintendents of Police during a video-conference on Wednesday in which the DGP had reviewed the implementation of lockdown and night curfew imposed by the state government and mechanism put in place for crackdown against black-marketing of anti-viral drug Remdesivir and oxygen.
Tamil Nadu coronavirus cases rise to 23,310 with 167 fatalitiesThe number of COVID-19 cases on Wednesday surged further to 23,310 with 167 deaths across Tamil Nadu.
With the deaths - 73 at private hospitals and 94 in government-run ones, the fatalities rose to 14,779 so far.
The total number of people testing positive till date increased to 12,72,602 and the number of active cases remains at 1,28,311.
There was slight increase in the number of people discharged after treatment, according to a bulletin from the state Health Department.
COVID-19: Punjab Chief Minister rules out complete lockdown
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced phased opening of shops after a few of his cabinet colleagues raised the issue of resentment among shopkeepers over selective closure of shops amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chairing a virtual cabinet meeting, Singh ruled out a complete lockdown while stating that the restrictions currently in place in Punjab were more stringent than the lockdown conditions in many other states.
Besides phased opening of shops, he also announced various incentives for the housing sector, including three-month extension in permission period of construction of plots/projects for allotments, whether private or allotted, by state urban development authorities.
COVID-19: Over 600 arrests in 3 days for Covid norm violations in PunjabThe Punjab Police Wednesday said it has arrested more than 600 people over the past three days for alleged violation of Covid-related restrictions.
Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Dinkar Gupta said police teams issued at least 6,531 challans for violation of face mask rule, and arrested as many as 629 people for flouting Covid-19 norms across the state in the last three days.
He said the police are leaving no stone unturned to enforce the newly announced restrictions to protect the people of state from the deadly virus.
The Home department had on Sunday ordered that all non-essential shops must remain closed in the state, while four-wheelers should not seat more than two passengers and no pillion rider is allowed on scooters and motorcycles, except those belonging to the same family and living in the same house.
60 oxygen plants will be set up in Haryana with centre's support: Minister Anil VijHaryana's Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said 60 oxygen plants will be set up in the state with the support of the central government.
Haryana has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks and the demand for medical oxygen has risen manifold.
Third Wave Inevitable: Grim Warning From Government's Scientific AdviserA third wave of the coronavirus is "inevitable", the government's top scientific adviser said on Wednesday, warning that vaccines will need to be "updated" to deal with the new strains that have sped up the contagion in India, overwhelming hospitals and killing thousands.
"Phase 3 (third wave) is inevitable, given the high levels at which this virus is circulating. But it is not clear at what time scale this Phase 3 will occur. Hopefully, incrementally, but we should prepare for new waves. Ongoing surveillance is needed as are vaccine upgrades," Dr K. VijayRaghavan said at a government briefing.
Extensive COVID-19 restrictions in West Bengal: Local trains to be suspended from Thursday
Hours after taking oath as the chief minister of West Bengal for the third term, Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced various steps to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the state, adding that hawkers, transporters, and journalists will be given priority when it comes to vaccination.
Announcing extensive restrictions across the state, Chief Minister said shopping complexes, gyms, cinema halls, beauty parlours will remain close in West Bengal.Local trains will be suspended from tomorrow and Friday onwards, those entering the state will have to show a negative Covid test report.
Kerala Chief Minister Writes To Centre, Seeks Oxygen, Covid Vaccine Doses
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday requested the Centre to provide at least 1000 tonnes of imported Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and 50 lakh doses of Covishield and 25 lakh doses of Covaxin to the state in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Vijayan also sought PSA plants, oxygen concentrators and ventilators on a priority basis, considering the fact that Kerala has one of the highest active caseloads in the country.
Since the overall projected requirement of liquid medical oxygen in the state is rising, the buffer storage within the state needs to be augmented urgently keeping in view the depletion of storage due to heavy daily demand, he said.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar Tweets After Indians Test Positive At G7 Meet
Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has decided to conduct all his engagements at the G7 meeting in virtual mode after members of the Indian delegation in the United Kingdom tested positive for the coronavirus.
This comes after two members of the Indian delegation in London -- for the upcoming G7 meeting -- tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, British news channel Sky News reported.
Mr Jaishankar made the announcement on Twitter saying, "Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well."
Both State And Union Governments "Doing Their Best": Centre To Supreme Court
The Centre informed the court that both the state and Union governments were "doing their best".
"We are in the process of going to 700 metric tonnes of Oxygen...on May 4 we could reach 585 tonnes," it said. Up to 590 tonnes of the vital gas were allotted to the Delhi government.
Justice Shah seemed to agree with the Centre. He said, "The Centre is doing its best...Otherwise what will happen? If you get oxygen from another state, that state will also suffer."
Putting Officers In Jail Or Hauling For Contempt Will Not Bring Oxygen: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court today told the Centre that "putting officers in jail or hauling officers for contempt will not bring oxygen" in the national capital.
The top court asked the Centre to provide the steps taken to solve the problem.
The Union government today moved the Supreme Court against a Delhi High Court order on oxygen availability in the national capital and the lower court's threat to pursue contempt charges against officials for non-compliance.
UP Journalists To Get Priority In Covid Vaccination
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that journalists and their families will now get special consideration in the state and will be given priority in vaccination against COVID-19.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued instructions to allot separate vaccination centres for journalists and their family members, who are above 18 years of age, an official statement said.
The chief minister took the decision to recognise the efforts of journalists, who have been putting their lives and health at risk to cover the pandemic, it said.
UP Cop Dies Due To COVID-19
Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Kumar, died due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, an official statement said.
"ASP, Crime, Rahul Kumar, who was in isolation after being tested positive for coronavirus felt uneasiness and was rushed to the hospital at about 9.30 am," it said.
He was declared dead by doctors, the statement said, adding that it was a big loss for the Etah police.
Australian Court To Examine Contentious Travel Ban From Covid-Hit India
An Australian court on Wednesday agreed to hear a challenge to the country's controversial ban on citizens returning home from coronavirus-hit India.
A Federal Court said it would urgently hear a challenge brought by a 73-year-old man living in Bangalore who wishes to return to Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week banned arrivals from India, which is recording hundreds of thousands of new coronavirus infections each day.
Under the measures, Australian citizens who return home face jail time and heavy fines.
Delhi High Court begins hearing petitions relating to various issues including oxygen supply arising due to the rise in COVID-19 infections in the national capital.
Delhi Records 338 Covid Deaths, 19,953 Cases; Positivity Rate Below 30% For Third Day
The national capital recorded 338 COVID-19 deaths and 19,953 cases in a day with a positivity rate of 26.73 percent, according to the health bulletin issued by the Delhi health department on Wednesday morning.
This is the second time on the trot that the number of cases remained below 20,000 in the city.
The positivity rate has remained below 30 per cent since Sunday.
Delhi had recorded 18,043 cases on Monday, the lowest since April 15, when 16,699 people were diagnosed with the disease.
Telangana Sees 6,361 New Covid Cases, 51 Deaths
Telangana confirmed 6,361 additional coronavirus cases taking the total infection count to more than 4.69 lakh, while the death count stood at 2,527 as 51 people died due to the disease.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 1225, followed by Nalgonda (453) and Rangareddy (423), a government bulletin said on Wednesday providing details as of 8 PM on May 4.
The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 4,69,722 while with 8126 patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3, 89,491.
The state has 77,704 active cases and over 77,000 samples were tested on Tuesday.
2,190 New Covid Cases In Maharashtra's Thane, 52 Deaths
With the addition of 2,190 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has gone up to 4,77,177, an official said on Wednesday.
These new cases were reported on Tuesday, he said. Fifty-two more people also died due to the viral infection, taking the death count in the district to 7,780, he said.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 1.63 per cent, he added.
In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count has gone up to 90,654, while the death count has reached 1,621, another official said.
Man Arrested For Selling Empty Packets Of Covid Vaccine In Madhya Pradesh: Police
Madhya Pradesh Police has arrested one person for selling empty packets of COVID-19 vaccine in Indore.
The accused person, identified as Suresh Yadav, was arrested by the Vijay Nagar Police after he cheated relatives of coronavirus patients worth Rs 2 lakh in the name of providing a vaccine.
According to Sub Inspector Suresh Kumar, the relatives of the family had met Suresh on social media where he promised them to provide the vaccine.
Over 180 Cryogenic Oxygen Containers Transported By Indian Air Force Amid Pandemic
Amid the devastating COVID-19 crisis in the country, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has transported 180 empty cryogenic oxygen containers and other relief material like oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant equipment, essential medicines and hospital equipment, reported news agency ANI.
The Airlift of the IAF's RAMT (Rapid Action Medical Team) and medical officers and personnel of the Indian Navy has also been undertaken.
A total of eight C-17, four IL-76, ten C-130, and 20 An-32 aircraft, as well as Mi-17V5 and Chinook helicopters, have been employed by the IAF and have together clocked over 360 hours of flying.