Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra sees 23,179 new Covid-19 cases in a day

Coronavirus live updates: Mumbai recorded as many cases as 1,922 - the second-highest single-day spike of the year. Stay tuned for corona-related news

5:15 PM

People aged above 70 with hearing difficulties report memory loss during Covid-19 lockdown: UK study

People aged over 70 years with hearing difficulties experienced heightened depression, loneliness and memory problems during the COVID-19 lockdown, according to an online survey conducted by UK health experts.

 

"The impact of social isolation has been massive on the elderly population, but our survey shows that people with hearing impairment have been more substantially affected," said Professor Annalena Venneri from the University of Sheffield's Neuroscience Institute.

 

Venneri, who is also the co-author of the study, said measures put in place to help limit the spread of the virus -- such as face coverings and social distancing -- have limited the social interaction of the elderly people to a greater extent.

4:57 PM

India's reputation as pharmacy of world reinforced; made-in-India vaccines supplied to 72 nations: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Rajya Sabha Wednesday that India's reputation as "pharmacy of the world" stands reinforced the way it reached out to nations in the midst of a global crisis and supplied vaccines to 72 nations.

 

Making a statement on "Vaccine Maitri" initative, he said the supply of 'Made-in-India' vaccine to 72 nations after the world was reeling under COVID-19 pandemic prompted global leaders and world citizens extend warmth to India and its citizens.

 

Even as the COVID pandemic was in full fury, there were already global demands of India's pharmaceutical and medical capabilities which could be met largely due to the extraordinary ramp up of India's COVID-related capabilities, Jaishankar said.

 

4:51 PM

PM Modi said testing, clinical care facilities need to be strengthened in Tier 2 and 3 cities: NITI Aayog

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with all Chief Ministers said that testing, clinical care facilities need to be strengthened in Tier 2 and 3 cities: Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog

4:50 PM

PM Modi expressed dissapoiment on vaccine wastage. It is a precious commodity: Dr. VK Paul, NITI Aayog

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed dissapoiment on vaccine wastage. It is a precious commodity: Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog

4:49 PM

Average coronavirus vaccine wastage in India is 6.5%: Health Ministry

Average coronavirus vaccine wastage in India is 6.5 per cent. Vaccines are invaluable commodities, their wastage has to be drastically reduced: Health Ministry during media briefing.

4:48 PM

India administered 36% Covid-19 vaccine doses on March 15: Health Ministry

On 15th March, 8.34 million coronavirus vaccine doses were administered worldwide, of which India alone administered 36% of doses: Health Ministry

4:34 PM

70 districts in 16 states saw rise in Covid-19 cases by 150% in last 15 days: Health Ministry

4:30 PM

Karnataka must increase absolute number of coronavirus tests: Health Ministry

Karnataka's case positivity rate is 1.3%. Our advice to the Karnataka government is to increase the absolute number of tests: Health Ministry

4:26 PM

Nearly 43% week-on-week increase in new Covid cases: Health Ministry

The lowest point of new coronavirus cases was 9 February. Today, nearly 43 per cent week-on-week increase in new COVID19 cases and nearly 37% week on week increase in new deaths: Health Ministry

4:25 PM

Health Ministry addressing media on actions taken, preparedness and updates on Covid-19

4:14 PM

Passengers not wearing marks properly to be de-boarded, treated as unruly: DGCA to HC

The DGCA informed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that action is being taken against passengers not wearing masks properly despite repeated warnings and they will be de-boarded from planes before departure and treated as unruly passengers.

 

The high court expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and said it hoped that the action would continue in the same spirit considering the safety of passengers from COVID-19 infection.

 

A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and C Hari Shankar observed that the court was initially planning to keep the suo motu case open to continue monitoring the implementation of directions issued by the court earlier.

3:57 PM

Mega vaccination drives to be held two days a week in Haryana: CM Khattar

Mega vaccination drives to be held two days a week in the State; 7.50 lakh people vaccinated till now: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar during PM Modi's meeting with all CMs on coronavirus situation.

3:56 PM

Traders appeal to govt for Covid vaccination for workers of all age groups

With Covid-19 vaccination in full swing across the country, people facing sectors like the retail and trade are now seeking protection against the novel coronavirus. Retailers and traders, who are at risk of Covid-19 infection due to their constant exposure to public spaces, have urged the government to include them into the frontline workers list. The move, they argue, will boost the chances of a speedy recovery in the consumer retail sector.

 

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has approached the Union Health Minister Harsha Vardhan for inclusion of shop floor level employees in the sector in the ongoing vaccination drive. The body has also sought vaccines for all age groups of workers. Currently, apart from people above 60, only people above 45 years of age and with co-morbidities are being vaccinated. READ ON...

3:26 PM

PM Modi asks Karnataka to focus on controlling Covid-19 surge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Karnataka to focus on Bengaluru, Kalaburagi and Bidar in view of the rising Coronavirus cases in these regions, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Wednesday.

 

Addressing reporters after the Prime Minister's video conference with chief ministers on the COVID situation in the country following spurt in cases in a few states, Yediyurappa said people should follow the appropriate guidelines.

 

"As cases are going up in Bengaluru, Kalaburagi and Bidar which are located at the border of Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked us to focus on these three districts," Yediyurappa told reporters.

3:06 PM

PM Modi warns CMs of emerging 'second peak' of Covid, calls for 'decisive steps'

At his meeting with chief ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed concern over rising coronavirus cases in the some states and called for "quick and decisive steps".
 

"India's fight against Covid is being cited as an example in world, our recovery rate is over 96% and fatality rate among the lowest," Modi told CMs. "We will have to stop the emerging second peak of coronavirus immediately," said Modi at the interaction. READ MORE HERE...