Covid LIVE: Maharashtra reports 26,538 new cases: Omicron tally at 797

With these additions, the state's Covid tally rose to 67,57,032, while the death toll increased to 141,581

12:27 PM

Indian health experts urge preparations for new wave of Covid-19

New Covid-19 cases in India surged to 58,097 on Wednesday, a doubling of the daily tally over the past four days, as health experts called for preparations to ensure hospitals are not overwhelmed by a new wave of patients.
 

While doctors fretted, politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appeared less concerned by the rising case numbers with many of them holding rallies ahead of assembly elections in several states. Read on...

12:22 PM

UP Congress has postponed its 'Ladki Hun Lad Sakti Hun' marathon due to rise in Covid cases

Uttar Pradesh Congress has postponed its 'Ladki Hun Lad Sakti Hun' marathon due to rise in Covid cases.

 

7 to 8 marathons were planned in Noida, Varanasi, and various other districts of the states in the coming days.

12:16 PM

Delhi Govt has instructed private hospitals to increase the number of reserved beds for Covid patients

Delhi Govt has instructed private hospitals to increase the number of reserved beds for Covid patients to 40% from 10% of their capacity. Nearly 2% of beds are occupied in the government hospitals: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

11:57 AM

Delhi likely to report 10,000 Covid infections today, 3rd wave has set in, says Health Minister Satyendar Jain

Delhi is likely to report around 10,000 Covid infections today, with the daily positivity rate rising to nearly 10%. The third wave of Covid-19 has set in: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

11:49 AM

Sri Lanka is releasing 13 Indian fishermen: High Commission of India in Colombo

Sri Lanka is releasing 13 Indian fishermen: High Commission of India in Colombo

11:16 AM

Kerala: Freedom fighter and BJP leader K Ayyappan Pillai passes away at the age of 107

Freedom fighter and BJP leader K Ayyappan Pillai passes away at the age of 107

 

He was undergoing treatment for age related ailments at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

11:06 AM

Punjab: SAD (Sanyukt) president and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa tests positive for Covid-19

Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) president and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa tests positive for Covid-19

11:02 AM

Mumbai Police Cyber Cell takes into custody one more accused in 'Bulli Bai' app case: Police

Mumbai Police Cyber Cell takes into custody one more accused in 'Bulli Bai' app case: Police

10:53 AM

DCGI grants 'in principle' approval to Bharat Biotech for conduct Phase III booster dose study

DCGI's Subject Expert Committee (SEC) grants 'in principle' approval to Bharat Biotech for conduct of 'Phase III superiority study & Phase III booster dose study' for its intranasal Covid vaccine; asks it to submit protocols for approval

10:35 AM

Maharashtra | Deputy CM Ajit Pawar chairs a meeting with state Health Minister and senior officers in Mumbai

Maharashtra: Amid rising cases of Covid-19 infection, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar chairs a meeting with Health Minister Rajesh Tope and senior govt officers in Mumbai

10:25 AM

Coronavirus update: Delhi govt allows metro trains and buses to run at 100% seating capacity

Delhi government allows metro trains and buses to run at 100% seating capacity. Visuals from outside Subhash Nagar metro station

 

"The government needs to come up with a solution to deal with the issue of such long queues outside metro stations," says a passenger

10:02 AM

Bipin Rawat chopper crash: Air Force to brief Defence Minister at 11 am today, reports NDTV

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is to be briefed by Air Force officials at 11 am on the findings of the report into Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat's helicopter crash.
 

A tri-services inquiry had been ordered into the chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri Hills on December 8 that killed Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other armed forces personnel.

9:36 AM

India reports 58,097 new Covid cases

India reported 58,097 new Covid cases on Wednesday, twice the number seen only four days ago, according to health ministry data, taking the total to more than 35 million. Deaths rose by 534, including Kerala's updated death toll of 423, lifting the national total to 482,551.

8:52 AM

Three terrorists killed in Kashmir encounter

Update: Indian security forces this morning killed three terrorists in a gunfight in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, ANI reports quoting the police. The three belonged to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad group and of them is a Pakistani, says the state’s police chief.

8:07 AM

Security forces kill terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir

Indian security forces this morning killed a terrorist in a gunfight in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, news agencies report quoting the police