Coronavirus India Live Updates: A beneficiary being vaccinated at the NMMC hospital in Navi Mumbai on Saturday.
(Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)Coronavirus India Live Updates: India reported 1,00,636 new Covid-19 cases and 2,427 deaths on Monday, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. Part of it has to do with low testing on Sunday. Only 15.87 lakh samples were tested on Sunday, compared to an average of more than 20 lakh in the last week.
Tamil Nadu, the top contributor, reported 20,421 cases. Only four states had a case count of more than 10,000. On the fatalities front, about 1,600 of the total deaths in the last 24 hours has been reported from just four states – Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala
The total number of coronavirus cases has now reached 2,89,09,975 while the death toll rose to 3,49,186. There are 14,01,609 active cases in the country while as many as 2,71,59,180 people have recovered from the disease. The ministry said a total of 23,27,86,482 people have been vaccinated so far
The Union government is considering reverting to centralised procurement after more and more states asked the Centre to step in as they drew a blank in global tenders to purchase Covid-19 vaccines. On May 1, the Centre expanded vaccine coverage to the 18-44 age group, opened the market, introduced differential pricing and public-private split in supplies. “If all states want the Union government to centrally procure, we will discuss it. We are willing to consider such a request,” a top government source told The Indian Express Sunday.
Meanwhile, amid the rapidly improving coronavirus situation, the 7-day average of death numbers has come down below 3,000 for the first time in six weeks. The average death count has been showing a steady decline after reaching a peak of nearly 4,200 on May 21. On Saturday, this average came down to 2,970. There is usually a two-to-three-week lag between the trajectory of new cases and deaths. The daily case count had peaked on May 6 at 4.14 lakh, after which the numbers have been coming down steadily.
Lockdown restrictions have been eased further in Delhi, where markets will open on an odd-even basis from today. Private offices are also reopening and the Delhi Metro will resume operations with 50 per cent capacity. And bus services are set to resume in Mumbai.
At a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Delhi. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)
Traders heaved a sigh of relief as shops selling non-essential items and other commercial establishments reopened on Monday in Thane city and neighbouring Navi Mumbai, which are categorised under level-2 of the Maharashtra government's 'unlock' plan, PTI reported.
There was increased movement of citizens in public places, but they were seen adhering to social distancing norms and wearing masks.
A number of public transport buses were seen plying on roads in Thane and Navi Mumbai, but they were not crowded.
The Maharashtra government on Friday issued a notification for a five-level plan to relax the coronavirus- induced restrictions in the state, based on the weekly positivity rate and the occupancy of oxygen beds.
Gyms & salons in Pune re-opened on Monday after the Maharashtra government eased Covid-19 restrictions in a phased manner. Below are some visuals:
The resumption of economic activities in Delhi should not cause laxity in Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Monday, as markets lifted shutters and the metro started operating.
Markets will open partially with the government enforcing an odd-even rule under which 50 per cent of shops can serve customers on a given day, while metro has been directed to operate at 50 per cent seating capacity.
“Many economic activities have restarted in Delhi from today. However, take all precautions to protect yourself from coronavirus — wear masks, maintain social distancing, keep washing hands. There is no room for any laxity,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Migrant workers returned to Delhi on Monday as the unlocking process begins in the city from today. Below are some visuals from Anand Vihar's ISBT.
An analysis of more than one million SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences has led to the identification of a new variant that, over the past weeks, has been spreading mostly in Mexico but has also been found in Europe.
Biotechnologists of the University of Bologna have published their paper in the Journal of Medical Virology, describing the new variant, whose scientific name is T478K. Like other strains, this presents a mutation in the spike protein.
“This variant has been increasingly spreading among people in North America, particularly in Mexico. To date, this variant covers more than 50% of the existing viruses in this area,” the University of Bologna quoted Professor Federico Giorgi, the study coordinator, as saying.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan says the second wave hit with “such intensity that preparations fell short”, denies public anger over Centre’s handling of situation, and explains how they are fighting pandemic with committees, that include Opposition parties. The session was moderated by Political Editor and Chief of National Bureau Ravish Tiwari.
How was the experience of handling the second wave of Covid-19 different from the first wave?
Last year, the infection spread slowly… This year, everyone thought that the pandemic was over and that life can return to normal. Many events were organised, including festivals, weddings, religious and political functions… As Chief Minister, I tried to tell people that the problem is big and that we must be careful. I took to the streets and told people to wear masks and ensure social distancing. I also held discussions with social workers, religious heads, political workers, and tried to urge people to be cautious. But everyone was convinced that there won’t be another wave. The second wave hit us with such intensity that our preparations fell short. We were increasing beds in hospitals but there was shortage of oxygen and remdesivir.
We keep hearing of a third wave of Covid-19, and that children will be the most vulnerable. Is that a real fear?
Several experts have warned that the third wave is likely to affect more children, as Singapore has already been reporting. One can get immunity either after infection or through vaccination. More adults have been getting infected in both the first and second waves. Vaccination has been approved for use in adults. The absolute number of children affected in the second wave seems more than in the first wave, probably due to overall increased numbers and entire families getting affected.
Are any of the new variants more dangerous for children than for adults?
The new mutations, particularly the B.1.167 variant, have been reported to be affecting younger children in a few countries like Singapore. However, there is no official confirmation at this stage as to how many children have been affected by the new variant in Singapore.
The B.1.1.7 strain is 60% more fatal than the original strain. It is believed that since the immunity of children is better, they are not getting seriously sick even after this mutant virus attack. Read more here
Early last week, a two-day drive-through Covid vaccine camp was held at The Chanakya, a high-end mall in South Delhi. Started by Max Hospital-Saket, it offered Covishield for Rs 1,100, and saw 376 people roll up in their vehicles to get the shot.
Roughly 10 minutes away, at Sanjay Camp in Chanakyapuri, one of Delhi’s largest slums, barely 100 of the 8,000-odd residents have been vaccinated so far, the slum’s pradhan, Ashok Kumar, told The Indian Express.
The two contrasting scenes, around 3 km apart, highlight the gaps in a vaccination strategy skewed towards those with resources and access to private hospitals, drive-through facilities and camps helmed by residents’ associations. More so, with insufficient supply to states stalling the free vaccine programme while doses are available for a price at private hospitals.
India reported 1,00,636 new Covid-19 cases and 2,427 deaths on Monday, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.
The total number of coronavirus cases has now reached 2,89,09,975 while the death toll rose to 3,49,186. There are 14,01,609 active cases in the country while as many as 2,71,59,180 people have recovered from the disease. The ministry said a total of 23,27,86,482 people have been vaccinated so far