Family members of a Covid-19 patient perform the last rites wearing PPE kits at Khaswadi crematorium in Vadodara on Wednesday. (Express Photo: Bhupendra Rana) Coronavirus India Live Updates: India reported over 72,000 Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday. Of the 72,330 new infections, 39,544 were from Maharashtra. Chhattisgarh recorded its highest ever count, with 4,563 cases. Karnataka also reported over 4,000 cases.
Meanwhile, 459 deaths were reported from across the country, the highest since December 5, 2020. Apart from Maharashtra, which reported 243 deaths, Punjab (55), Chhattisgarh (39), Karnataka (26) and Tamil Nadu (19) were the other big contributors. At least 14 states reported zero deaths on Wednesday.
The third phase of India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive begins Thursday, with everyone above the age of 45 eligible for the shot. It will cover the population which is at the highest risk — 90 per cent of deaths related to the disease in India have been in the category of those above the age of 45. The Centre has instructed states to ensure all districts with high caseloads achieve 100 per cent vaccination coverage in the next two weeks.
Now, as state governments begin imposing restrictions, mobility indicators predict a potential dent the uptick in business activity, especially in the services sector. While Maharashtra has imposed localised restrictions for public places like restaurants, gardens, parks, malls and beaches, states like Chhattisgarh and Gujarat have imposed night curfews, and Uttarakhand and Gujarat have made Covid-19 testing mandatory for those entering the regions from outside.
At a cloth market in Andheri East, Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon. (Express Photo: Amit Chakravarty)
India detected over 72,330 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, of which Maharashtra accounted for 39,544. 459 deaths were reported from across the country, the highest since December 5, 2020.
The Madras High Court has ordered the Chennai civic body to exhume the body of a doctor -- who was forced to be buried in a cemetary of a different faith after his death due to Covid-19 -- and reinterr it at a burial ground of his family’s choice. The order came on a plea by Anandhi Simon, the wife of Dr Simon Hercules who died of Covid-19 in April 2020.
Stating that the dignity of the deceased should be maintained throughout the process, Justice Abdul Quddhose observed that the aftermath of the doctor’s death was “shocking” as the incident had given a go-by to all human values. His corpse was shunted from one burial ground to another due to the objections raised by heartless human beings for allowing the burial of the body of a Covid-19 victim, the judgment said. Read more here
Close to 40 per cent of over 16.49 lakh healthcare and frontline workers, who got the first dose of their vaccine, have skipped their second dose.
According to information provided by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad, over 8.90 lakh healthcare workers in the state have got their first dose of the vaccine, but close to 3.05 lakh, or 34 per cent of them did not take the second dose. Similarly, out of 7.59 lakh frontline workers who got their first dose, over 3.50 lakh, or 46 per cent have skipped their second dose. Read more here
Following an increase in Covid cases, random tests will be conducted at Delhi Airport for domestic passengers arriving from states where cases are increasing, starting today.
The Delhi Airport issued an advisory that read: “As per the latest government mandate, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) shall conduct random Covid-19 testing of passengers coming from states where cases are increasing. After the collection of samples, the travellers would be allowed to exit. However the passengers who are found to be positive shall be mandatorily quarantined as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare protocol.” Read Ashna Butani's report here
Good morning and welcome to our live blog on the Covid-19 situation in India. On Thursday, India opens up its vaccination drive for all those above the age of 45, a key group which is at highest risk -- 90 per cent of Covid-19 deaths in India have been in the category of those above the age of 45. This comes amid a resurgence of infections; the country now has 5.52 lakh active cases, most of which are from five states, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Chhattisgarh.