Coronavirus: India records over 3.52 lakh daily cases and 2,812 deaths for the first time
The US promised to send raw material needed to make Covishield vaccine in India.
India on Monday reported a record-breaking 3,52,991 new cases in a day, taking the total number of infections since the pandemic broke out in January 2020 to 1,73,13,163. This is the highest ever single-day rise in cases reported by any country so far, and the fifth consecutive day when the country has set such a grim global record. For the first time, 2,812 deaths were registered. The toll is now 1,95,123.
The United States on Monday promised to make available the raw material required to manufacture the Covishield vaccine. The US also offered to provide test kits, PPEs and other equipment that India may need to fight the second wave of the coronavirus, which is battering India. Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Germany, Pakistan, France and China have also offered help.
Globally, the coronavirus has infected more than 14.6 crore people and killed over 31 lakh since the pandemic broke out in December 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 8.46 crore people have recovered from the infection.
The national helpline number is 011-23978046, and the toll-free number is 1075.
Here are the helpline numbers for states and the Union Territories.
Live updates
10.03 am: Microsoft chief Satya Nadella says his company will “continue to use its voice, resources and tech to aid relief efforts and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices” in India right now. Nadella says he is “heartbroken by the current situation” in India and adds that he is grateful that the US is assisting.
10 am: Google CEO Sundar Pichai says “Google and Googlers” are giving Rs 135 crore to GiveIndia, UNICEF, to help India during its worsening Covid crisis, ANI reports.
Devastated to see worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 Crores in funding to GiveIndia, UNICEF for medical supplies, org supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information: Google CEO Sundar Pichai
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
(File photo) pic.twitter.com/3Iy7I7FbAg
9.38 am: India reports 3,52,991 cases and 2,812 deaths in a day. With this, the total number of infections since the pandemic broke out in January 2020 rises to 1,73,13,163. This is the highest ever single-day rise in cases reported by any country so far, and the fifth consecutive day when the country has set such a grim global record.
The number of deaths registered is also a new record. The toll is now 1,95,123. The number of active cases rises to 28,13,658.
8.52 am: A curfew has been imposed in Kotdwar and Swargashram parts of Pauri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand as coronavirus cases rise, ANI reports.
Uttarakhand: Curfew imposed in Kotdwar and Swargashram areas of Pauri Garhwal district from 26th April to 3rd May, in the wake of rise in #COVID19 cases.
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
8.50 am: Canada also offers to help India through the crisis. “Our thoughts are with people of India as they face a devastating new wave of COVID19 pandemic,” Foreign Minister Marc Garneau says. “Canada stands ready to assist and has reached out to Indian authorities to determine how Canada can best support India in its time of need.”
Our thoughts are with the people of India as they face a devastating new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada stands ready to assist and has reached out to Indian authorities to determine how Canada can best support India in its time of need.
— Marc Garneau (@MarcGarneau) April 26, 2021
8.45 am: Hours before Biden and Harris tweeted, the US National Security Advisor spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and promised to make available the raw material required to manufacture the Covishield vaccine.
“To help treat COVID-19 patients and protect front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India,” National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement.
“The United States also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis,” the statement added. “The US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.”
8.40 am: This is the first time the US’ top leadership has reacted to the situation in India despite international coverage of the crisis. It came merely hours after the United Kingdom, the European Union and Germany promised to help India tackle the second wave. Pakistan, France and China have also offered help.
8.30 am: United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday morning promised to help India in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more here:
Coronavirus: US determined to help India fight pandemic, say Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
8.20 am: Globally, the coronavirus has infected more than 14.6 crore people and killed over 31 lakh since the pandemic broke out in December 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 8.46 crore people have recovered from the infection.