Coronavirus: India records 4,01,078 new cases, highest ever toll at 4,187 deaths in a day
This is the fourth time since May 1 that the case count rose by more than 4 lakh.
India on Saturday recorded 4,01,078 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infections in the country to 2,18,92,676 since the pandemic broke out last year. This is the fourth time after May 1, when the count rose by more than 4 lakh. The toll climbed by 4,187 deaths to 2,38,270.
Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, imposed a complete lockdown in the state for two weeks from May 10, amid a surge in Covid cases.
The coronavirus has now infected 15.64 crore people across the world and killed over 32.65 lakh since the pandemic broke out in December 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University. Over 9.26 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
9.56 am: A complete lockdown has been imposed in Pune, Maharashtra, in view of the rising coronavirus cases.
Maharashtra: Pune Police enforce complete weekend lockdown in the city.
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2021
Only pharmaceutical shops are allowed to function during the weekend lockdown.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/8CwYLtlCgS
9.54 am: The Delhi Police transfer the case related to the seizure of oxygen concentrators from the city’s popular eatery, Khan Chacha, to its Crime Branch, reports ANI.
9.54 am: New Zealand’s wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert tests positive for the coronavirus, reports PTI. The cricketer represented Kolkata Knight Riders in the postponed 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
9.50 am: Thailand says it wants to secure more vaccines and give as many first doses as possible, as the country battles a surge of the pandemic, reports AP. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says Thailand, with an adult population of about six crore, needs at least 12 crore vaccine doses, with everyone getting two shots. He adds that foreign workers also needed to be taken into account.
9.48 am: The tally of coronavirus cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands rises to 6,311 as 56 more people test positive, reports PTI. The toll remains unchanged at 72.
9.37 am: The Tamil Nadu government imposes a complete lockdown in the state for two weeks from May 10, reports NDTV.
The order came a day after the state recorded its biggest single-day rise of over 26,000 Covid infections. Chief Minister MK Stalin says that the lockdown is being enforced due to “unavoidable reasons”.
9.35 am: India records 4,01,078 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infections in the country to 2,18,92,676 since the pandemic broke out last year. This is the fourth time after May 1, when the count rose by more than 4 lakh. The toll climbs by 4,187 deaths to 2,38,270.