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Coronavirus Pandemic April 20 Highlights: After a day of respite, the daily cases in India saw yet another spike with country registering 2,067 new Covid-19 infections today. In comparison with Tuesday, a 65 per cent increase can be seen in the daily case count today. Another important factor – active cases – has also seen an uptick. After several days, India has now over 12,000 active coronavirus cases.
In Delhi, things look critical as the National Capital registered over 1000 new Covid-19 infections. The positivity rate has gone above the critical 5 per cent-mark as well.
Here are the latest Covid updates from India and around the world:
Top scientist believes surge in COVID-19 cases will not lead to fourth wave (ANI)
At least 96 per cent children in the age group of 15-17 years and 76 per cent of those aged 12 to 14 in the national capital have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Delhi government officials.
According to the presentation made by the government in a Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting on Wednesday, a total of 3.29 crore doses have been administered in the city till April 19 . | READ MORE
In view of a spike in coronavirus cases in the national capital, the Delhi government on Wednesday decided to make the wearing of masks mandatory again in public places and impose a fine of Rs 500 in case of a violation.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which also decided not to shut schools and come up with separate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with experts for them. | READ MORE
Delhi logged 1,009 fresh Covid cases on Wednesday, a 60 per cent jump from a day ago, with the city government making the wearing of masks in public places mandatory again and announcing a Rs 500 fine on violators.
This was the maximum number of cases recorded in Delhi since February 10 when 1,104 infections were reported. | READ MORE
Karnataka reports 61 fresh COVID-19 cases, 49 recoveries, and zero deaths, in the last 24 hours.
Active cases 1,499
Positivity rate 0.62% (ANI)
COVID19 | Maharashtra reports 162 new cases today; Active caseload stands at 690 including 415 cases in Mumbai (ANI)
Delhi records 1,009 fresh Covid cases, 60 pc more than Tuesday, and 1 death; positivity rate 5.70 pc: Health Bulletin
A fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on violators for not wearing masks in Delhi: Sources (ANI)
Delhi reports 1,009 fresh #covid19 cases, 314 recoveries, and 1 death in the last 24 hours. Active cases 2,641 Positivity rate 5.70% (ANI)
The entire Delhi Capitals contingent underwent two rounds of COVID testing today. Today's match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings is to be held at Brabourne. CCI-IPL will go ahead as per the schedule after the second round of COVID tests returned negative today. (ANI)
LG Delhi Anil Baijal chairs the 36th meeting of DDMA to review the COVID-19 situation in Delhi. It was decided to make the wearing of masks mandatory in public places, he says. It was also emphasised that in consultation with experts standard operating procedures for prevention and management of Covid-19 should be laid down for schools and their strict enforcement by school management should be ensured. In the larger interest of students, in case of non-compliance or violation of SOPs penalty as deemed appropriate should be imposed for creating a deterrent effect: Delhi LG Anil Baijal (ANI)
India's effective reproduction number (R) for Covid, indicator of how quickly infection is spreading, crosses 1 for first time since January, estimates researcher from Chennai's Institute of Mathematical Sciences (PTI)
India's effective reproduction number (R) for Covid, an indicator of how quickly the infection is spreading, has increased to over one for the first time since January, estimates a researcher from Chennai's Institute of Mathematical Sciences. – PTI
I've held a detailed review of COVID19 situation in the state. There is no need to worry as there has not been a significant rise in cases. The situation is completely under control. We are vaccinating those in the 12-15 & 15-18 age groups: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope
Following a recent spurt in coronavirus cases, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed the officials to maintain utmost vigil on the health of children, especially in the NCR districts, and to create awareness about COVID-19 protocol in schools. PTI
Puducherry continued to report zero daily cases of COVID-19 as no new infection was detected in the union territory on Wednesday. PTI
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority is a critical meeting amid the fresh Covid surge in the national Capital has ordered to bring back the mask mandate. Not wearing face mask in public places would attract a fine of Rs 500, latest reports say
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised to parliament after he was fined by police for breaking lockdown rules, saying he did not know a birthday gathering at the height of the pandemic was in breach of the rules he had set. – Reuters
Taiwan firms making chip and electronic components reported a mixed picture on Wednesday on work resumption in the eastern Chinese city of Kunshan after COVID-19 curbs, with some warning deliveries would be postponed until next month. China has put Shanghai under a tight lockdown since late March and neighbouring Kunshan has also tightened curbs to control the country's biggest COVID-19 outbreak since the coronavirus was discovered in late 2019 in the city of Wuhan. – Reuters
The death toll across India climbed to 5,22,006 with 40 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. – PTI
A health official says 4 million more people in Shanghai have been allowed to leave their homes as anti-coronavirus quarantine rules ease. Authorities imposed rules that confined most of Shanghai's 25 million people to their homes starting March 28 following a surge in infections. – AP
Countries putting emphasis on traditional herbal systems to fight COVID-19 pandemic: PM Modi (ANI)
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram on the increasing positivity rate and cases (ANI)
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot expresses concern over reports of rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of country, including Delhi, says extra precautions need to be taken (PTI)
When pandemic came, we realised that the best multiplier that we'll have for economic recovery would be to spend money on building infrastructure. So, capital expenditure was our route to recovery…Now we're in the process of setting up digital banks, not one but 75 this year: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at an event by Atlantic Council in Washington, DC (ANI)
When pandemic came, we realised that the best multiplier that we'll have for economic recovery would be to spend money on building infrastructure. So, capital expenditure was our route to recovery…Now we're in the process of setting up digital banks, not one but 75 this year: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at an event by Atlantic Council in Washington, DC (ANI)
Delhi reports 632 fresh COVID-19 cases, 414 recoveries, and zero deaths in the last 24 hours.
Active cases 1,274
Positivity rate 4.42% (ANI)
The one big step that the govt decided was we shall not tax people to get out of the pandemic. Our revenue to rescue the economy was not going to come from taxing people. No 'COVID tax' was levied on anybody: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at an event by Atlantic Council in Washington, DC (ANI)
Necessary measures will be taken to check the rise of covid cases: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
We have to learn to live with COVID-19 as it will stay in some capacity; we will take strict action if it increases more. For now, there's no need to panic. The counts are incoming, so we have a meeting with experts & DDMA on April 20: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (ANI)
The exchange of COVID19-related medicines between Bangladesh & India has been considered a role model of good neighbourhood diplomacy. I thank the Govt of India & WHO for taking this much-needed initiative: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in a virtual address
The insurance scheme for healthcare workers engaged in COVID-19 related duties has been extended further for a period of 180 days from Tuesday, and 1,905 claims have been settled under it so far, the Government said on Tuesday. – PTI
The mandatory wearing of masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 has not yet been lifted from Odisha and people should use them in crowded places, a senior health official said on Tuesday. – PTI
Thirty-three children were among 107 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district on Tuesday, officials said. – PTI
Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh has been admitted to hospital in India after testing positive for COVID-19, his Indian Premier League (IPL) team the Delhi Capitals said. Marsh, who has played 32 tests for his country, was one of a “few” people in the team's “bio bubble” to test positive but the rest were asymptomatic, Delhi Capitals said.” The Delhi Capitals medical team is closely monitoring Marsh's condition,” the team said in a statement on Twitter. – Reuters
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 2,26,271 on Tuesday as 99 more people, including 28 children, tested positive for the infection, a health official said. – PTI
No new case of coronavirus was reported in Puducherry again on Tuesday, a senior health official said. None of the four regions of the Union Territory — Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam — registered any new case of the viral infection, Director of the Department of Health G Sriramulu said in a press release. – PTI
A federal judge in Florida has voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials in the coronavirus pandemic. – AP
The pandemic situation looks grim in China as Shanghai reported seven more deaths due to COVID-19 complications in the last 24 hours. – PTI
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,11,701, while the case fatality rate was recorded a 1.21 per cent.
