Covid LIVE: Partial curfew extended in UP; record deaths in Maharashtra

Coronavirus live updates: India recorded 326,123 fresh Covid-19 infections today, taking the caseload tally to 24,372,243. Stay tuned for corona-related news

1:34 PM

Covid second wave pushes India's pharma industry growth to 59% in April

The fresh wave of Covid-19 in the country has pushed up sales of medicines and resulted in exponential growth for the pharmaceutical sector.

 

According to total sales audit data from world's largest pharmaceutical market research firm IMS Health, the Indian Pharma Market (IPM) grew 59 per cent yoy in April, 2021 vs 16 per cent yoy in March, 2021 due to the low base effect in April, 2020 and sharp surge in Covid-19-related sales. Read on...

1:09 PM

Coronavirus update: Delhi govt starts oxygen concentrator banks

Delhi recorded 6,500 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours and the positivity rate has declined to 11 per cent, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday and also announced the launch of oxygen concentrator banks for patients in home isolation.
 

He also said that though daily cases have dipped, the Delhi government will not let its guard down and keep fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
 

The number of cases was over 8,500 and the positivity rate was 12 per cent on Friday, the chief minister said.
 

The government has started oxygen concentrator banks for patients who are in home isolation and require oxygen support, Kejriwal said in an online briefing.

12:33 PM

For those who need oxygen, our team will reach them in 2 hours, says Delhi CM Kejriwal

For those who need oxygen, our team will reach them in 2 hours, says Delhi CM Kejriwal

12:19 PM

Delhi's positivity rate dips to 11%, 6,500 Covid-19 cases reported in last 24 hrs: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi's positivity rate dips to 11%, 6,500 Covid-19 cases reported in last 24 hrs: CM Arvind Kejriwal

12:18 PM

China cancels Mount Everest climbs over fears of Covid-19 virus from Nepal

China has cancelled attempts to climb Mount Everest from its side of the world's highest peak because of fears of importing Covid-19 cases from neighbouring Nepal, state media reported.

 

The closure was confirmed in a notice Friday from China's General Administration of Sport, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

 

The move reflects the abundance of caution China has taken in dealing with the pandemic. While China has mostly curbed domestic transmission of the coronavirus, Nepal is experiencing a surge with record numbers of new infections and deaths. Read on...

11:46 AM

Modi chairs a high-level meeting on Covid-19 related situation and vaccination

11:44 AM

Uttarakhand coronavirus update: 2,000 policemen infected

Uttarakhand DGP said at present, the number of police personnel infected in the state has exceeded 2000. Among the Covid-infected personnel, there are 1800 such patients who have had double doses of vaccine, 200 policemen who have not been able to get double dose yet. Dehradun district has the maximum number of 300 policemen in the grip of corona infection. Apart from this, 235 jawans in Udham Singh Nagar and 222 in Haridwar district have been infected with Corona.

11:42 AM

Coronavirus in India: PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Covid-19 situation

PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Covid-19 situation

11:38 AM

GPS tracking of ambulances for quick transfer of Covid patients to hospital

Putting technology to use for better Covid management and quick transfer of patients to the Dedicated Covid Hospitals (DCH) and Covid Care Centres (CCC), the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started GPS tracking of ambulances.

 

While the city authorities have a fleet of 64 ambulances under the Covid management programme, 40 has already become GPS enabled and the rest will be fitted with the tracking devices very soon, a senior official said.

 

Bhubaneswar Smart City Ltd (BSCL) is looking after the technological up-gradation part of the ambulances engaged on Covid duty, the official said. Read on...

11:09 AM

Coronavirus in India: Patient with black fungus confirmed at Max Hospital in Dehradun

One patient with black fungus confirmed at Max Hospital in Dehradun, three at Doon Hospital & Max Hospital showing symptoms of the disease. Asked technical committee for recommendations for the prevention of black fungus: Health secretary in-charge Pankaj Pandey

11:08 AM

Health Minister to hold meeting with UP, Andhra, MP, Gujarat ministers to review Covid situation

At 3 PM today, I’ll be holding a video conferencing with Health Ministers of UP, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat to review current Covid-19 situation & progress of Covid-19 Vaccination drive in their respective States: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan

11:06 AM

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to meet all state education secretaries on May 17 to review the Covid-19 situation

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will meet virtually with all state education secretaries on May 17 to review the Covid-19 situation, online education and implementation of National Education Policy. 

10:19 AM

Vaccination suspended in Mumbai for two days due to cyclone warning

The Mumbai civic body on Friday decided to suspend its Covid-19 vaccination drive for the next two days in view of the warning about cyclone Tauktae.

 

There would be no inoculation on May 15 and 16, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation tweeted.

 

Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani told PTI that it was a precautionary measure as cyclone Tauktae is forecast to pass close to the city.

 

The decision was taken to avoid troubles for senior citizens and also possible crowding as the city is expected to get rains due to the cyclone, he added.

10:08 AM

Covid-19: 260 oxygen concentrators airlifted from United Kingdom to India

The High Commission of India in the United Kingdom said that 260 more oxygen concentrators have been airlifted to New Delhi, as India fights a devastating second Covid-19 wave.

 

Taking to Twitter, the High Commission thanked donors for their generous contribution, along with Qatar Airways, Air Vistara and DB Schenker for free logistics.

 

"260 more Concentrators airlifted today to @IndianRedCross NewDelhi contributed by @O2CforIndia-226, IndiansinLondon @IIL2004-20 & St.Albans-14. @HCI_London thanks donors for generous contribution & @qatarairways @airvistara for free transport & @DBSchenker for free logistics," tweeted India in the UK. Read on...

10:07 AM

Covid variant, first detected in India, likely to dominate in UK: Top Medic

The B.1.617.2 variant of Covid-19, first identified in India, is likely to take over and dominate in the United Kingdom, said England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty on Friday.

 

Speaking at a press conference at 10 Downing Street, Whitty said: "The thing which has changed, which is of a very clear view that this variant is more transmissible than that the B.117 and we expect that this variant will overtake and come to dominate in the UK in the way the B.117 variant took over and indeed the other variants have taken over prior to that." Read on...