Coronavirus India Cases: India remains second worst hit nation by pandemic after US. (File)
With a positivity rate of 4.1 per cent, India's daily cases increased by 43,893 in the last 24 hours, taking the country's coronavirus tally close to the 80 lakh-mark, the Health Ministry data shared on Wednesday shows. Overall deaths related to the viral disease in India rose to 1.2 lakh as 508 people died in the 24 hours.
Meanwhile, all schools in Delhi will remain closed till further orders in view of the COVID-19 situation, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, said today. He added that even parents are not in favour of resuming regular classes.
On October 5, the Delhi government had announced all schools in the city-state will stay shut till October 31, when the decision would be reviewed.
Delhi on Wednesday reported over 5,000 COVID-19 cases in a day, for the first time since the coronavirus struck the country. The national capital, which is battling the third wave of infections, has been logging over 4,000 cases daily for the last few days. With festive season round the corner, the unprecedented spike has raised concerns, especially when the national Covid tally has shown a steady decline.
Here are the Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
Odisha Reports 1,540 New Covid Cases, 12 Fresh Fatalities
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 2,85,482 on Wednesday after 1,540 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
Twelve fresh fatalities pushed the coastal state's coronavirus death count to 1,284, he said.
Odisha also registered recovery of 2,015 COVID-19 patients taking the total number of cured people to 2,70,130, which is 94.62 per cent of the caseload.
Of the new 1,540 cases, 886 were reported from quarantine centres, while 654 were detected during contact tracing, the official said.
COVID-19: Containment Zones Rise To 3,047 In Delhi
As the national capital witnessed a rise in COVID-19 cases, the number of containment zones has gone up to 3,047, with the maximum 558 in southwest Delhi and the lowest 82 in northeast Delhi, according to official data.
There are 3,047 COVID-19 containment zones as on Tuesday. So far, 6,657 containment zones have been created and of these, 3,610 have been de-contained by authorities since the coronavirus outbreak.
According to data prepared by the Revenue Department, Delhi's seven districts have more than 200 containment zones - southwest (558), south (505), west (333), New Delhi (275), central (267), southeast (247) and northwest (246).
Northeast Delhi has 82 such zones, which is the lowest in the national capital, followed by east (165), north (171) and Shahdara (198).
On Wednesday, Delhi recorded 5,673 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike here till date, as the infection tally in the city climbed to over 3.7 lakh.
This is the first time when over 5,000 cases have been reported in a day in the city. The previous highest single-day spike of 4,853 cases was recorded on Tuesday.
COVDI-19: Harsh Vardhan Stresses Need For Staying Vigilant As Festive Season Poses "Significant Risk"
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday reviewed the pandemic situation and preventive measures being adopted in Tamil Nadu and stressed the need for staying vigilant for the next three months as the long festive season poses "a significant risk that may threaten the improvements made against COVID-19 so far".
In the virtual meeting with Tamil Nadu Health and Medical Education Minister C Vijayabaskar and senior state officials, Mr Vardhan emphasised that the prime minister's message of wearing a mask/face cover, maintaining physical distance and frequent handwashing should reach the last citizen, the health ministry said.
Reiterating the prime minister's clarion call of building a "jan andolan" (mass movement) against COVID-19, Mr Vardhan said, "The state needs to enhance the awareness amongst the citizen regarding the need and virtues of using masks/face covers, physical distancing and regular hand hygiene."
"The coming long festive season pose a significant risk that may threaten the improvements made against COVID-19 so far. We should all be vigilant for the next three months. Following simple COVID-appropriate behaviour will be effective in cutting transmission of coronavirus. The prime minister's message of wearing a mask/face cover, maintaining a physical distance and frequent handwashing should reach the last citizen," he was quoted as saying in the statement.
Mr Vardhan said the country has seen significant improvement in the COVID-19 parameters.
737 New Coronavirus Cases In Pune District
Pune district in Maharashtra reported 737 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the caseload to 3,21,398, a health official said on Wednesday evening.
With 31 fatalities, the death count in the district reached 7,798, he added.
"Of the 737 cases, 288 were detected in the areas under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which has recorded 1,60,374 cases so far. However, 441 patients were discharged from the city hospitals during this period," the official said.
The tally in the neighouring industrial township of Pimpri Chinchwad rose to 87,260 with 209 new cases, he said.
COVID-19 Crisis: Potters In Surat Unsure About Business This Diwali
Potters, who normally have good business during the festive season, especially during Diwali, might get adversely affected due to coronavirus pandemic this year.
They do not expect much footfall this time as compared to last year. They generally make 30,000 to 40,000 earthen lamps every year, and this year too they have made the same quantities and are hoping for business but with a meagre profit margin during the Diwali festivities.
The other reason for their business being affected is the machine-made diyas which are being made easily and sold in the market. This has also impacted the sale of the old traditional earthen lamps.
There are only a few customers who buy the old traditional earthen lamps, but the potters are hoping to do some business.
Paresh, a potter, said, "People prefer to buy handmade diyas. I make over 10,000 pieces every year. I am hopeful that my diyas will be sold this year too."
