Coronavirus News highlights: PM Modi urges citizens to set up micro containment zones to battle coronavirus

India on Sunday reported a daily record of over 1.5 lakh new infections as the second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak races out of control in the country. Many states have imposed their own sets of restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, including measures such as localised lockdowns and night curfews. Cities in Karnataka completed their first night curfew this morning, which the state announced on April 8. Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – two states with poor health infrastructure - may emerge as the next Corona trouble spots as new cases have surged in both in the last seven days.

Maharashtra crosses 60,000-mark for daily Covid-19 cases

Maharashtra on Sunday saw 63,294 new cases, 294 deaths, and 34,008 recoveries. Mumbai alone contributed nearly 10,000 cases.

Mumbai sees nearly 10,000 cases today

Mumbai on Sunday posted a total of 9,989 Covid-19 cases and 58 deaths amid its weekend lockdown.

Karnataka reports over 10,000 fresh Covid-19 infections

Karnataka on Sunday recorded a new all-time high of 10,250 new Covid-19 cases, and 40 deaths. 2,638 patients recovered from the deadly virus. Bengaluru alone reported over 7,600 cases, followed by 291in Kalaburagi.

Sonu Sood appointed brand ambassador for Punjab's anti-Covid-19 vaccination programme

Actor Sonu Sood has been made the brand ambassador for Punjab's anti-coronavirus vaccination programme.

During the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year, the actor had helped migrants reach their home states.

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Maharashtra crosses one crore Covid-19 vaccinations

Amid a Centre vs State row, Maharashtra on Sunday became the first state in India to cross the one-crore mark of administering doses.

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Covid-19 cases may peak in Karnataka by May first week: Health Minister K Sudhakar

Experts opine that the second wave of Covid-19 is likely to peak by the first week of May in Karnataka and will slow down by the end of that month, Health and Family Welfare Minister K Sudhakar said. The wave, he said, would last for 60-80 days.

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Surge in cases will overburden health infrastructure: Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakart

We must be vigilant till end of May. If there is surge in cases, our health infrastructure will be overburdened. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) experts have suggested to be vigilant at borders&thoroughly test incoming travellers from high caseload states (ANI)

Delhi records over 10,000 new Covid-19 cases

Delhi on Sunday reported 10,774 fresh infections and 24 deaths.

Kerala reports nearly 7,000 fresh cases

New Cases: 6,986

New Deaths: 16

New Recoveries: 2,358

Gujarat closes offline classes in all government and private colleges till April 30

Why are cases increasing only in Maharashtra and not states where many ministers are campaigning with mass gatherings: Aslam Sheikh

We've asked COVID19 Task Force to study why cases are increasing only in Maharashtra and not in states where elections are being held. Many ministers are campaigning with mass gatherings there but there is no surge in COVID cases there: Maharashtra Minister Aslam Sheikh (ANI)

Decision to conduct CBSE exams from May 4 should be reconsidered: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the decision to conduct the CBSE exams from May 4 should be reconsidered in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases across the country.

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No need to impose Covid-19 lockdown in Bihar: Health Minister

Even thoughBiharrecorded 3,469 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, a record of sorts in this calendar year, the State’s Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Sunday said the situation was not alarming and there was no need for a lockdown inBihar.

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PM Modi asks people to set up micro containment zones as Covid-19 cases mount

Faced with a massive surge in Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the people to set upmicrocontainment zones on their own to curb the spread of the disease and pitched for zero wastage during the vaccination drive.

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Government bans export of Remdesivir

Export of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) prohibited till the COVID19 situation in the country improves: Government of India (ANI)

Travellers from these states need a negative RT-PCR report to enter Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh CM reviewed the COVID19 situation in the state today. CM said an advisory to be issued that people from Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and UP need to carry 72-hour prior RTPCR negative report to enter State after Apr 16th: CMO (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh logs over 15,000 new Covid-19 cases

Uttar Pradesh reports 15,353 new cases in the last 24 hours. Active cases: 71,241 Total recoveries: 6,11,622 Total vaccination: 85,15,296 (ANI)

CM Kejriwal warns Covid-19 situation dire as Delhi records highest ever infections

The Covid-19 situation in Delhi is "very serious" with 10,732 cases of infection reported in the last 24 hours, the highest ever since the pandemic began, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Sunday as he issued a stark warning -- do not step out of homes unless it is urgent.

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These five states account for over 70% of India's active cases

The five states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala cumulatively account for 70.82 per cent of India's active Covid-19 cases which have breached the 11-lakh mark for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.

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Covid-19 night curfew extended to rural parts of Surat

Night curfew currently in force in Surat city will be extended to rural parts of the district from Sunday to curb the spread of Covid-19, officials said.

The Gujarat government last week imposed restrictions on people's movement during night in 20 cities of the state, including Surat.

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Dial 'aam' for mango, not common man: Rahul Gandhi to PM Modi

The Congress on Sunday attacked the Centre over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, alleging that Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on Indian lives and economy due to the Modi government's "arrogance and incompetence".

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Maternal health should be priority even during Covid-19, say experts

On the occasion of National Safe Motherhood Day on Sunday, experts said maternal health and family planning services should not be compromised and given due priority even in emergency situations like the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Actor R Madhavan tests negative for Covid-19

Actor R Madhavan on Sunday said that he has recovered from coronavirus but still taking utmost care and precaution.

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Reconsider conducting CBSE exams, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra writes to Education minister

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote to Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' asking him to reconsider conducting the CBSE exams amid a resurgent wave of coronavirus.

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Congress candidate dies due to Covid-19 infection in Tamil Nadu

P S W Madhavarao, the Congress candidate from Srivilliputhur (reserved) constituency in Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu, passed away on Sunday morning due to Covid-19 complications.

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Tika Utsav: 4-day mass vaccination programme begins on PM Modi’s call

As the second phase of vaccination of Covid-19 is underway in India, people flocked to vaccination centres to get the jab. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the chief ministers of all states to inoculate the maximum number of eligible people against Covid-19.

PM Modi speaks to Yediyurappa, suggests focus on micro containment zones to control Covid-19

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested focusing on micro containment zones to contain the spread of Covid-19 infection in the state.

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Reconsider conducting CBSE exams amid Covid-19, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra writes to Education Minister

Ex-IPS Annamalai tests positive for Covid-19

Former Karnataka-cadre IPS officer K Annamalai, who is the BJP candidate from Aravakurichi constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

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Dr Pradip Vyas, Principal Secretary Health, GOM: We have crossed 1 crore doses about 1 hour ago

Raghav Chadha calls for vaccine nationalism, writes to Narendra Modi

Terming vaccine universalisation and vaccine nationalism need of the hour, AAP leader Raghav Chadha wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying there must be a strict India-first rule as citizens' needs must be given priority over exports to other countries.

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Covid-19 situation in Delhi very serious: Kejriwal

The Covid-19 situation in Delhi is "very serious" with 10,732 fresh cases of infection being reported in the last 24 hours, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday.

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Uttarakhand | Fewer people were vaccinated in 4 districts yesterday due to vaccine crunch. We had demanded 10 lakh Covid-19 vaccines but received only 1.38 lakh doses. Expecting another vaccine batch on April 13: State Immunisation Officer Dr Kuldeep Singh Martolia. - ANI.

India's power consumption grows nearly 47% in first week of April

Power consumption in the country grew nearly 47 per cent in the first week of April to 28.34 billion units (BU) over the corresponding period a year ago, showing robust recovery in industrial and commercial demand of electricity, according to power ministry data.

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Eligible people should join 4-day Tika Utsav. People above 45 can register themselves at their nearby vaccination centres to be part of the campaign. We are running vaccination drive at 6,000 centres: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath - ANI

'Tika Utsav' marks second big war on Covid-19: PM Modi in letter

Stressing on personal hygiene as well as social hygiene, PM Modi said proposed guidelines that everyone must follow in the view of the coronavirus pandemic. "Tika Utsav marks second big war on Covid-19," he wrote.

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Maharashtra government sets up Distric-level control rooms for supply of Remdesivir

Concerned with incidents of hoarding and black-marketing of Remdesivir, the Maharashtra government has set up district-level control rooms to ensure smooth supply of the broad-spectrum anti-viral drug being prescribed for treatment of Remdesivir.

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No respite as India logs record 1.5L new Covid-19 cases, 839 deaths

India on Sunday reported more than 1.5 lakh fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the national tally to 1,33,58,805 according to data released by theUnion Health Ministry. This is the sixth day that india recorded over 1 lakh daily Covid-19 infections.

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Vaccines will help to prevent new Covid-19 wave in Maharashtra, say experts

Experts believe aspeedy vaccination programme will be able to prevent the third wave and subsequent surges of the Covid-19 pandemic in Maharashtra.

“Vaccine is the kavach-kundal in the fight against Covid-19…it is the Ram-baan…it is the raj-marg,”public health and family welfare minister of Maharashtra RajeshTope said.

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Shiv Sena seeks uniform policy for 10 & 12th board exams

At a time when several states including Maharashtra are facing a sharp uptick in Covid-19 cases, the Shiv Sena has petitioned the Centre for a uniform policy vis-à-vis 10th and 12th standard board examinations to avoid any future discrimination and disadvantages.

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International travel won’t rely on fancy vaccine passports

To demand proof of vaccination as a condition of international travel would be a poor advertisement for the West’s supposed commitment to equity.

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'Tika Utsav' from April 11 aims to vaccinate maximum eligible people

A 'Tika Utsav' or vaccine festival will be marked in the country from April 11-14 at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to inoculate maximum number of eligible people against the coronavirus amid a surge in cases.

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Odisha seals border with Chhattisgarh amid surge in Covid-19 cases

Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in Odisha, the government on Saturday sealed its border with Chhattisgarh and intensified patrolling along the interstate boundary.

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DH Toon | A year on, India's Covid-19 situation looking grim

When millions of Indians switched off lights and lit candles and earthen lamps in the early days of the pandemic in solidarity with Covid warriors, many probably though the fight will be over soon, but a year on, the situation has become grimmer.

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Bengaluru Covid-19 patient dies after 2 hospitals turn him away

A 33-year-old man with Covid-19 died early Saturday morning after being denied admission in two private hospitals in Bengaluru, despite a bed having been booked by the government’s emergency services.

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Delhi bans gatherings; metro, buses to operate at 50%

With coronavirus cases rising rapidly in the national capital, theDelhigovernment Saturday announced stricter curbs, allowingDelhiMetro and DTC buses to operate only at 50 per cent capacity and limiting the number of guests at weedings at 50, officials said.

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A deserted look of church street after the authorities announced the night curfew amid surge in coronavirus cases in Bengaluru. Credit: PTI Photo

Mainland China reports 10 new Covid-19 cases vs 14 a day earlier

Mainland China reported 10 new Covid-19 cases on April 10, down from 14 cases a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Sunday.

The National Health Commission, in a statement, said all the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 22 from 11 cases a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 90,410, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,636.

France extends gap between mRNA vaccine shots to ramp-up rollout

France will lengthen the period between the first and second shots of mRNA anti-COVID vaccines to six weeks from four weeks as of April 14 to accelerate the inoculation campaign, Health Minister Olivier Veran told the JDD newspaper on Sunday.

Although France's top health authority advised a six-week period between the two shots in January in order to stretch supplies, the government at the time said there was insufficient data on how well the vaccines performed with a longer interval.

France could safely do so now because it was vaccinating a younger age group, Veran said.

Covid-19 vaccine shortages hitting poor countries

As many as 60 countries might be stalled at the first shots of their coronavirus vaccinations because nearly all deliveries through the global program are blocked until as late as June.

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Watch DH's playlist of videos on Covid-19 here

TN to shut entry to beaches in Chennai, two other districts on weekends from April 11

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced that effective April 11, people would not be allowed entry to beaches in Chennai and two other nearby districts on weekends and all government holidays.

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UP, Chhattisgarh are the new worries in India's Covid surge

Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – two states with poor health infrastructure - may emerge as the next Corona trouble spots as new cases have surged in both in the last seven days.

Till a week ago (April 4), Uttar Pradesh was not among the top five states with the maximum caseloads, but the numbers rose steadily since then.

For the last two days, Uttar Pradesh is at the third position after Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh with the reporting of more than 9,500 cases in the last 24 hours.

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Covid patient dies after 2 hospitals turn him away

A 33-year-old man with Covid-19 died early Saturday morning after being denied admission in two private hospitals in Bengaluru, despite a bed having been booked by the government’s emergency services.

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