Coronavirus LIVE: Tamil Nadu adds record 20,768 fresh Covid infections

Coronavirus live updates | Surge in infections has overwhelmed hospitals, morgues and crematoriums and left families scrambling for medicines and oxygen.

7:37 AM

'Devastating Covid surge': US to restrict travel from India starting May 4

US President Joe Biden on Friday issued a proclamation, restricting travel to the United States of all non-citizens who have stayed in India in the past 14 days.

 

The proclamation, which comes into effect on May 4, has been issued due to the "extraordinarily high COVID-19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating in India".

 

US nationals, those on Green Cards, their non-citizen spouses and children below 21 years of age, are among the various categories exempted from the restrictions. Read on...

7:35 AM

Govt should have built safety stock of essential drugs: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

The Biocon founder and Executive Chairperson points out that drugs like Remdesivir should be allowed at home as an emergency step. Read on...

7:24 AM

Dr Anthony S Fauci on India’s Covid Crisis: ‘Shut down the country for a few weeks

NO nation likes to lock itself down but an “immediate” shutdown for a “few weeks” could put an end to the cycle of transmission in India, Dr Anthony S Fauci, one of Covid’s most trusted global voices, told The Indian Express.

7:22 AM

Is Covid-19 home treatment covered? Check the fine print to find out

Many people, who have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, are finding it difficult to get a hospital bed and are, hence, undergoing treatment at home.

 

Several hospitals and healthcare providers have started giving home treatment. But many patients undergoing such treatment are worried about whether their health insurance policy will cover it. Read on...

6:46 AM

Armed forces get emergency financial powers to fight India's Covid crisis

India's armed forces were today granted emergency financial powers to augment their efforts in the battle against COVID-19, the second wave of which has brought devastation to the country in the past few weeks. These new powers will help them operate facilities, procure equipment and resources, and perform any required urgent tasks.

They will establish and operate hospitals, quarantine facilities, and to undertake procurement of Covid-specific equipment without the usual clearances.

 

Making the announcement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today tweeted: "To empower the Armed Forces and speed up their efforts in the nationwide fight against COVID 19 situation, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh invoked special provisions and granted Emergency Financial Powers to the Armed Forces today."

6:46 AM

Armed forces get emergency financial powers to fight India's Covid crisis

India's armed forces were today granted emergency financial powers to augment their efforts in the battle against COVID-19, the second wave of which has brought devastation to the country in the past few weeks. These new powers will help them operate facilities, procure equipment and resources, and perform any required urgent tasks.

They will establish and operate hospitals, quarantine facilities, and to undertake procurement of Covid-specific equipment without the usual clearances.

 

Making the announcement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today tweeted: "To empower the Armed Forces and speed up their efforts in the nationwide fight against COVID 19 situation, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh invoked special provisions and granted Emergency Financial Powers to the Armed Forces today."