Coronavirus LIVE: Punjab reports 2,319 new Covid-19 positive cases in a day

Coronavirus live updates: Today marks a year since India went into a complete lockdown, starting with Janata curfew. Maharashtra has reported 30,535 fresh cases. Stay tuned for corona-related news

7:50 AM

Covid-19 testing not enough as cases rise: Govt sounds Kumbh caution

The health ministry has asked the Uttarakhand government to step up Covid testing and set up early warning systems to control the spread of the virus as the state prepares to organise the Mahakumbh Mela amid rising Covid cases in the country.

 

The religious event, one of the largest human congregations in the world, starts from April 1.

India recorded the highest single-day spike since late November of over 43,000 Covid cases on Sunday. More than 12 states have shown a surge in Covid cases during the past few weeks. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tested positive for the virus on March 19 and was admitted to Covid centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Read on...

7:44 AM

South Africa confirms sale of unused Indian AstraZeneca vaccines finalised

South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has confirmed that the sale of one million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine received from the Serum Institute of India last month has been concluded.

 

The vaccines were sold to 14 African countries after South Africa suspended its planned usage to vaccinate healthcare workers when it was found to have limited efficacy against a new variant of the virus that became dominant in the country during a second wave of the pandemic towards the end of last year. Read on...

7:37 AM

Revised vaccination timings from today onwards

Vaccination centres in the national capital will operate till 9 pm starting today, according to an official order.

 

A copy of the order issued by the city government's health department was shared by Health Minister Satyendar Jain in a tweet on Friday.

 

"Taking cognisance of the sudden surge in the Covid cases, all Delhi Govt hospitals will hereby operate vaccination sites in their premises till atleast 9pm. Adequate man power will be deployed to ensure the same. I request Delhiites to follow proper protocols and stay safe!," he tweeted.

 

The decision was announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday.

7:05 AM

Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu: Schools in TN to be shut from today

With Tamil Nadu witnessing a sudden surge in coronavirus cases over the last few days, the state government on Saturday ordered closure of schools for classes 9, 10 and 11 from March 22 until further orders.

 

However, they would continue to function for the 12th standard students for they have to take the board examination.

6:43 AM

Chile reports 6,836 COVID-19 cases, 99 deaths

The Chilean Ministry of Health reported on Sunday 6,836 cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for a total of 931,939 cases, as well as 99 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 22,279.

 

According to the ministry, 871,234 patients have recovered from the disease so far and 37,958 are in the active stage, while 2,229 people are currently hospitalized in intensive care units, including 1,906 on ventilators.