Coronavirus LIVE: Fight is to save India from complete lockdown, says PM

Coronavirus live updates: India has added 1,532,388 Covid cases in the last 7 days, followed by the US (493,159) and Brazil (460,528). Stay tuned for corona-related news

4:13 PM

Coronavirus: 10 states report 78% of new cases

Of the total new cases reported in the last 24 hours, 78 per cent were reported from 10 states while 62 per cent of the active cases are in just five states.

 

According to the Union Health Ministry data, a total of 2,59,170 cases were reported in the last 24 hours. This is for the sixth consecutive day that India reported over two lakh cases in a day.

 

According to the data, 10 states -- Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan -- reported 77.67 per cent of the new cases. (PTI)

4:05 PM

Coronavrius LIVE: Delhi HC expresses concern over the hoarding of some essential drugs

Delhi HC expresses concern over the hoarding of some essential drugs. The court says that the Centre should act against people who are hoarding medicines, come out with some norms. Centre says that process has been started.

4:04 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi High Court raises concerns over vaccine wastage

Delhi High Court raises concerns over vaccine wastage, says, "we are wasting precious time". In a few days, vaccination will be opened for all, the Court further stated.

3:53 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Education minister asks NTA to defer UGC-NET exam

3:48 PM

No gap in oxygen supply to Delhi; industrial use banned, Centre tells HC

There is no gap in oxygen supply to Delhi at present and its use has been banned for industrial purposes except for certain industries, the Centre told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.

 

The Ministry of Health told the high court that there has been an inordinate increase of 133 per cent in the projected medical oxygen required, as on April 20, between the initial estimate of 300 metric tonnes and revised estimate of 700 metric tonnes submitted by Delhi.

 

The Centre also informed the high court that it has provided Delhi government hospitals with around 1,390 ventilators. (PTI)

3:45 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Jharkhand government announces complete lockdown for 1 week as coronavirus cases surge

Coronavirus LIVE: Jharkhand government announces complete lockdown for 1 week as coronavirus cases surge

3:42 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi LG requests migrant workers to not leave city during lockdown

3:38 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Union Home Secretary reviews status of coronavirus situation

Coronavirus LIVE: Union Home Secretary reviews status of coronavirus situation, Containment and other Public Health Measures in all UTs

3:16 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Rahul Gandhi tests positive

2:43 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra govt tightens curbs

2:36 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi CM in quarantine as his wife tests positive

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi CM in quarantine as his wife tests positive

2:21 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Union Minister Jitendra Singh tests positive

2:00 PM

7-day lockdown comes into force in Aizawl, 10 other district headquarters of Mizoram

A seven-day lockdown has come into force from Tuesday in Aizawl and 10 other district headquarters of Mizoram to contain the spread of Covid-19.

 

Though the state government order issued on Monday night did not use the word "lockdown", it said no resident in Aizawl municipal area and 10 other district headquarters should step out of their homes during the restriction period, which will remain effective from 4 am on April 20 to 4 am on April 26.

 

However, inter-village or intra-state movement is allowed with permission from the village or local-level task forces, it said.

 

The existing night curfew from 8.30 pm to 4 am in Aizawl and the 10 other district headquarters will be enforced more strictly. (PTI)

1:47 PM

Rajnath Singh reviews Ministry of Defence’s preparations in response to Covid situation

1:42 PM

India likely to waive customs duty on Covid-19 vaccine imports

The government is likely to waive 10 per cent customs duty levied on imported vaccines in a bid to keep low the cost of overseas vaccines that are being eyed to supplement domestically made shots ahead of opening Covid-19 vaccination to all citizens over 18 years of age, news agency PTI reported quoting sources.

 

While Russia's Sputnik V vaccines are due to arrive this month or latest by next month, manufacturers like Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have been urged to seek emergency use approval in India.

 

The government presently levies 10 per cent customs or import duty plus a 16.5 per cent I-GST and social welfare surcharge on vaccines coming from overseas. These taxes would make the imported vaccines costlier than the ones made by Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech.

 

"A customs duty wavier is being considered," a source aware of the matter said.

 

Another source said a decision is likely to be made "very soon."