Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra reports 25,681 new cases, 70 deaths in a day

Coronavirus live updates: Covid-19 cases rise unabated across the globe with 122,516,517 infected by the deadly contagion. Stay tuned for corona-related news

8:19 AM

UK PM Boris Johnson to receive jab of AstraZeneca vaccine today

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced getting inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine the next day.

 

The country is currently vaccinating those over 50, which includes 56-year-old Johnson, who has been waiting for his turn just like everyone else.

 

"As it happens, I'm getting mine tomorrow. And the center where I'm getting jabbed is currently using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for those receiving their first dose, and that is the one I'll be having," Johnson said at a press conference.

7:36 AM

Amid third Covid-19 wave, France to go into month-long lockdown from Friday

French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday imposed a month-long lockdown in 16 areas of the country, including the greater Paris and Nice areas, in wake of rising COVID-19 cases.

 

The new measures will go into effect from Friday midnight lasting four weeks but are less restrictive than measures imposed in March and November of last year, reported CNN.

 

"Our choice, to be less restrictive on possibilities to leave one's home, will need to go hand in hand with real caution," Castex said.

 

"This is clearly about allowing for people to be outside, but not to go to friends' homes to have a party or meet with many people without social distancing or a face mask. We know that it is in that kind of situation that the virus prospers," he added.

7:34 AM

Pune district's coronavirus tally up by 4,965, death toll by 31 in 24 hours

Pune district in Maharashtra reported as many as 4,965 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, which pushed its cumulative tally to 4,53,532 so far, a health official said.

 

As the virus claimed the lives of 31 patients during the day, the district's death toll reached 9,486, he said.

 

"Of the total number of new cases, 2,752 were reported from the areas located within the Pune Municipal Corporation limits, where the overall tally reached 2,26,549," the official said.Read on...

7:33 AM

Maharashtra CM calls for strict implementation of COVID-19 norms, curbs

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday asked divisional commissioners to ensure that restrictions announced to curb the spread of COVID-19 are implemented strictlyin view of the spike in the number of infection cases.

 

In a virtual meeting, Thackeray said even though the state is witnessing a steep spike in the number of daily cases, the vaccination drive has also gained momentum.

 

"In view of the highest number of cases on Thursday since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, the district administration should speed up contact tracing and implementation of restrictions and safety protocols," he said.