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Sat, 17 April 2021
850 Remdesivir injections stolen from hospital
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21:18 850 Remdesivir injections stolen from hospital
With reports of shortage of Remdesivir drug coming from all across the country and its prices going through the roof in the black market, a total of 800 Remdesivir ampules were stolen from a store of the Gandhi Medical College, a government-run facility in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal on Saturday.
Bhopal has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the last three weeks. The city has also been facing an acute shortage of Remdesivir injections required in the treatment of Covid-19, besides hospital beds and oxygen.
The state government has taken over the distribution of Remdesivir injections and now allots them to various hospitals as per bed capacity for treatment of Covid-19 patients.
After Remdesivir injections went off the shelves of medical stores last week, they are being sold in the black market for as much as Rs 20,000 per injection. A Covid patient with infected lungs requires a complete dose of six injections over five days.
20:56 Maharashtra reports over 67,100 Covid cases
Maharashtra logged 67,123 coronavirus cases on Saturday in its biggest single-day spike since the start of the pandemic. The worst hit state in the country also recorded 419 deaths because of the virus in the last 24 hours.
The total coronavirus cases in the state today climbed to 37,70,707 out of which 30,61,174 patients have recovered. 56,783 people were discharged in the last 24 hours, the government statement read.
The state's recovery rate is 81.18 per cent and the fatality rate is 1.59 per cent.
This was the second day in a row that the state reported over 60,000 daily coronavirus cases. On Friday, Maharashtra's Covid figure was 63,729 infections, which was also a record.
20:20 Rijiju tests positive for COVID-19
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 but is feeling "fit and fine".
The 49-year-old posted the development on his Twitter page.
"After getting repeated test for Covid-19, today my report has come out positive," Rijiju wrote in his twitter handle.
"I'm taking the advice of the Doctors. I request all those who have come in my contact recently to be observant, exercise self-quarantine and get themselves tested. I'm physically fit and fine."
Rijiju was in Uttarakhand on Friday to inaugurate a Water Sports and Adventure Institute in Tehri.
State chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat, who recovered recently from the dreaded infection, was with him at the inauguration ceremony.
-- PTI
20:08 Mumbai reports 8,834 new COVID cases, 52 deaths
Mumbai reported 8,834 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 5,70,832, while 52 more patients succumbed to the infection, the city civic body said.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's updated data, the new cases took the overall COVID-19 tally in the financial capital to 5,70,832, while the toll rose to 12,294.
Mumbai's highest one-day case count so far is 11,163, reported on April 4.
Also, 6,617 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day.
19:49 Prince Philip funeral: Service begins after minutes silence
A minutes silence begins to remember Britain's Prince Philip.
Hundreds of people fell silent in Windsor, with mourners lining up outside the castle pausing for the silence.
Following the minute's silence, the funeral service has begun. The Blessing was pronounced by the dean of Windsor.
19:38 Tried to talk to PM on oxygen issue: Uddhav
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he had tried to contact Prime Minister Narendra Modi on phone regarding the oxygen supply for the state but the PM was not available since he was busy campaigning for the West Bengal elections.
Speaking to industrialists and representatives of trade bodies like FICCI and CII via video conferencing, the CM also said the Centre was cooperating with the Maharashtra government.
Earlier in the day, Union minister Piyush Goyal had attacked Uddhav Thackeray on the issue of availability of oxygen in the state, saying that Maharashtra has so far received the highest quantity of oxygen in India and the Centre is in regular touch with state governments to assess their needs.
"Maharashtra is suffering from an inept and corrupt government and the Centre is doing its best for the people. People of Maharashtra are following 'Majha Kutumb, Majhi Javabadari' dutifully. It is time the CM (chief minister) also follows his duties in the spirit of 'Majha Rajya, Majhi Javabadari'," the commerce and industry minister said.
Meanwhile, Thackeray appealed to the industrial sector to plan a COVID-appropriate work-style to ensure that the economy is not impacted in case of a "third wave of coronavirus".
The CM said a task force of the industrial sector will be set up for coordination with the state government.
-- PTI
19:20 Juna Akhada ends participation in Kumbh Mela
Citing concerns about the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, the Juna Akahada on Saturday announced it has decided to end its participation in the ongoing Haridwar Kumbh Mela.
Juna Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshanand Giri in a tweet said well-being of the people is their first priority, and seeing the rising number of Covid-19 cases, the Juna Akhada has decided to end its participation in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela.
Sources say seers from other akhadas are also thinking about limiting their participation due to the Covid-19 scare.
18:36 Govt caps price of Remdesivir
The Central government has capped the price of Remdesivir.
The decision was taken in reference to the ongoing efforts for enhancement of availability and affordability of Remdesivir injection.
After government intervention, major manufacturers, marketers of Remdesivir injection voluntarily reduced the maximum retail price.
18:14 PM calls review meeting on COVID at 8 pm today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a review meeting with top officials over the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination exercise in the country, government sources said on Saturday.
Top officers from various ministries will participate in the meeting scheduled for 8 pm on Saturday.
The meeting comes amid a huge surge in COVID-19 cases across the country with reports pouring in from many states about the shortage of hospital facilities and essentials like oxygen supply.
The prime minister has been holding meetings with chief ministers and officials on a regular basis to discuss the situation and take measures to curb the pandemic.
A record single-day rise of 2,34,692 cases and 1,341 fatalities have pushed India's COVID-19 tally to 1,45,26,609 and the death toll due to the viral disease to 1,75,649, the health ministry said earlier on Saturday.
The number of active coronavirus cases in the country has also surpassed the 16-lakh mark, the ministry's data updated at 8 am showed.
Registering a steady increase for the 38th day in a row, the tally of active COVID-19 cases has climbed to 16,79,740 in the country, accounting for 11.56 per cent of its total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 87.23 per cent.
-- PTI
17:32 24,000 cases in Delhi, short on beds: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday gave a dire warning, saying that the city was fast running out of beds, oxygen and the life-saving drug Remdesivir as it recorded an unprecedented 24,000 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
The positivity rate had reached a huge 24 per cent - meaning one in four of all people being tested were coming out positive.
"The situation is very serious and worrisome," he said. "Cases have gone up really fast. That is why we are facing shortages even though everything seemed under control until a few days ago," he added.
17:17 Maha restrictions could be extended beyond May 1: Tope
The 'break the chain' restrictions in place in Maharashtra to tackle the surge in coronavirus cases may be extended beyond May 1 depending on the outbreak situation, state health minister Rajesh Tope said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters in Jalna, Tope said people have been supportive of the restrictions, though some violations of prohibitory rules under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure have also been reported.
"We are taking stock of the situation. There have been some violations of CrPC section 144 invoked to curb the COVID-19 spread. We may extend these restrictions beyond May 1, depending on the situation. A decision will be finalized only after reviewing the outcome of these 15 days (when the restrictions will be in place)."
"I must admit people have been supportive of the restrictions," the minister, who has been insisting on strict measures and restriction on the movement of people to contain the outbreak, said.
The state government on April 14 announced several restrictions under a 'break the chain' initiative to rein in what is currently the severest spike in COVID-19 cases anywhere in the country.
-- PTI
16:51 India's largest Covid facility to be revived
The country's largest COVID-19 facility at Radha Soami Satsang Beas in South Delhi, which was closed down in February, is being revived considering the unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases, officials said on Saturday.
The management at the spiritual organisation's centre in Chattarpur confirmed that the facility will be restarted soon.
"The government is planning to restart the facility soon. Officials are likely to conduct a survey on Saturday evening and finalise the modalities," said Vikas Sethi, the secretary of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas centre.
Asked if the Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre is being revived, South Delhi District Magistrate Ankita Chakravorti replied in the affirmative.
The 10,200-bed facility was inaugurated on July 5 last year and was operated by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
The centre was 1,700 feet long and 700 feet wide -- roughly the size of 20 football fields -- and had 200 enclosures with 50 beds each.
The Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre was closed in February when coronavirus cases in the capital had reduced significantly. The facility had admitted patients referred by 11 hospitals in the city, including AIIMS and Safdarjung.
-- PTI
16:24 Deep Sidhu arrested again
Hours after being granted bail by a Delhi court in a case pertaining to the Republic Day violence at Red Fort, the Delhi Police has arrested actor-activist Deep Sidhu again in another case.
The fresh arrest was made regarding an FIR filed by the Archeological Survey of India pertaining to the violence at Red Fort, during which parts of the heritage structure were damaged.
Earlier, a local court in Delhi granted bail to Deep Sidhu, who was arrested on February 9 in connection with the Red Fort violence on Republic Day during the farmers' tractor march against the central government's new farm laws.
16:08 BJP spars with Maharashtra govt over Remdesivir
NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Saturday alleged that the central government has asked export companies not to supply Remdesivir medicine to the state.
He also said that the BJP, which is in power at the Centre, was more interested in winning elections than tackling the coronavirus crisis.
The BJP hit back saying that Malik should either give proof or apologise for levelling "false" and "baseless" allegations, and said he should step down from the post.
Malik's allegations come days after the Centre banned the export of Remdesivir injections in view of a sudden spike in demand due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Remdesivir is listed for use in serious coronavirus patients in the Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19 as an investigational therapy.
Taking to Twitter, Malik, the state minority affairs minister, said, "It is sad and shocking that when government of Maharashtra asked 16 export companies for Remdesivir, we were told that the Central government has asked them not to supply the medicine to Maharashtra. These companies were warned, if they did, their license will be cancelled."
He said this was a dangerous precedent and under these circumstances, the state government will have no choice but to seize the stock of Remdesivir from these exporters and supply it to the needy.
In his earlier tweets, he said, "There are 16 export oriented units in the country that have 20 lakh vials of Remdesivir. Since exports are now banned by the government, these units are seeking permission to sell this medicine in the country, but the central government is denying the same."
"The government says it should be sold through seven companies that are producing it. These seven companies are refusing to take responsibility. This is a decision making crisis.
"While there is a requirement of this medicine and availability too, a quick decision is the need of the hour. This problem must be solved and the vials must be supplied to the government hospitals in all states immediately," the NCP leader added.
When contacted, state BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye reacted sharply saying, "Instead making such wild and baseless allegations, Nawab Malik should provide proof or else he should apologise. It is high time that Maha Vikas Aghadi stops the blame game and does its job of handling the pandemic."
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar also said that Malik should provide proof of his allegations that Centre has asked the Remdesivir exporters not to sell their medicine in the state.
-- PTI
15:36 My phone is being tapped: Mamata
A day after a purported audio tape -- in which she is heard proposing a rally with the bodies of Cooch Behar firing victims -- surfaced, West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that her phone is being tapped and said she will order a CID probe into it.
Addressing an election rally, she accused the BJP of being involved in the conspiracy as the saffron party "cannot match" the ruling Trinamool Congress' campaigning on development programmes.
"They (BJP leaders) are even eavesdropping on our everyday conversation. It seems they are tapping our phone calls on cooking and other household chores.
"I will order a CID probe into the issue. I will not spare anyone involved in such snooping activities. I have already come to know who is behind this," the TMC supremo said.
Banerjee also claimed she has information that the "central forces are being involved in such acts with some agents".
"It is clear that the BJP is behind it though they claimed they have no role in it," she said.
-- PTI
15:09 Make Covid vaccines available in open market: Odisha CM to PM
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday requesting him to make vaccines available in the open market for better accessibility to those in need.
Vaccines may be made available outside the government supply chain in the open market so that willing citizens who can afford the vaccine can avail them. This will help governments to have a focused approach towards vulnerable sections of society, Patnaik wrote in his letter to the Prime Minister, adding that the vaccines which have been approved globally by credible agencies and governments should be accorded approval to increase the supply.
Emphasising on Indias vaccine manufacturing potential, Patnaik suggested that the Centre and states should support units to ramp up vaccine production. He also suggested rationalisation in vaccine distribution with a specific focus on metropolitan cities.
14:49 Resume talks with farmers: Dushyant to PM
Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to resume talks with farmers who are protesting at Delhis borders, and reach an amicable conclusion to the impasse over the farm laws.
In a letter dated April 15, Chautala appealed to the Prime Minister to constitute a committee of three to four senior cabinet ministers to resume talks with the agitating farmers. Every problem has a solution by way of mutual discussion, Chautala wrote.
Our Annadattas are on the roads at the Delhi border, agitating in respect of the newly enacted three farm laws of the central government It is a matter of concern that such an agitation has been going on for over 100 days, Chautala said.
On Friday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar urged farmers to call off their protest and return home in view of the second Covid-19 wave.
Farmers are protesting at several places. It is their democratic right. But there is a fear of contracting coronavirus Even today, 17-18 people at a bus station tested positive. There is always a possibility that people will get Covid-19 if they stay together day and night, said Khattar.
14:31 Worldwide COVID-19 death toll tops a staggering 3 million
The global death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3 million people Saturday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France.
The number of lives lost, as compiled by Johns Hopkins University, is about equal to the population of Kyiv, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; or metropolitan Lisbon, Portugal. It is bigger than Chicago (2.7 million) and equivalent to Philadelphia and Dallas combined.
And the true number is believed to be significantly higher because of possible government concealment or the many cases overlooked in the early stages of the outbreak that began 16 months ago in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019.
Even as the US and Britain see their vaccination drives hit their stride and they begin to contemplate life after the pandemic, other places both rich and poor -- France and India among them -- are lagging behind in putting shots in arms and have imposed new lockdowns and other restrictions as cases soar.
14:12 Sonu Sood tests positive for COVID-19
Actor Sonu Sood on Saturday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently under quarantine, nearly ten days after receiving the vaccine.
The actor was recently made the brand ambassador for Punjab's anti-coronavirus vaccination programme.
Sood had also met Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, on April 10.
The 47-year-old actor, who catapulted to the national spotlight for helping migrants reach their home states during the nationwide lockdown last year, said he will continue his work for those in need.
"This is to inform you that I have tested positive this morning for COVID-19. As a part of precautions, I have already quarantined myself and taking utmost care.
"But don't worry, this gives me ample time to solve your problems. Remember, I'm always there for you all," Sood tweeted.
The actor had received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on April 7.
-- PTI
13:52 Focus on battling Covid: Sonia takes on Centre
Accusing the Modi government of "gross unpreparedness" and "adhocism" in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday made a slew of suggestions to the Centre to deal with the pandemic such as reducing the immunisation age to 25 years and providing income support to people.
In her opening remarks, while chairing the meeting of the Congress Working Committee, Gandhi also accused the Centre of giving preferential treatment to some states while maintaining "thundering silence" on requests of states ruled by the Congress and opposition parties.
The Congress has always believed that fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is a national challenge that should be kept above party politics, she asserted.
"We have extended our hands of cooperation right from February-March, 2020. We cannot, however, lose sight of the fact that the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the country with fury. Despite a year to prepare, we have, regrettably, been caught off guard again," Gandhi said.
Instead of listening to the constructive suggestions of the opposition, Union ministers are pressed into service to attack leaders of opposition for giving those suggestions, she said.
"This convoluted 'me versus you' debate is childish and totally unnecessary," Gandhi asserted.
Making a host of suggestions to the government, she said the Centre must also reconsider its priority for vaccine candidates by reducing the immunization age to 25 years and above as also all younger persons with at-risk health disorders like asthma, angina, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases and other similar ailments.
-- PTI
13:33 Mumbai Mayor bats for complete lockdown in city
As Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-affected state from the Covid-19 surge, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Saturday said that a complete lockdown should be imposed in Mumbai. She said while most of the citizens were adhering to Covid-19 norms, a few were causing problems for the rest.
95% of Mumbaikars are adhering to Covid-19 restrictions. The remaining 5% of people who are not following restrictions are causing problems to others. I think a complete lockdown should be imposed looking at the current Covid-19 situation, Pednekar told news agency ANI.
The BMC Mayor also requested those returning from Haridwars Kumbh Mela to quarantine themselves in their respective states in order to avoid spreading the infection. The city civic body was also contemplating on putting the returnees in quarantine, she said.
Those returning from Kumbh Mela to their respective states will distribute Corona as prasad. All these people should be quarantined in their respective states at their own cost. In Mumbai also, were thinking of putting them under quarantine on their return, the official said.
This comes as 8,839 Covid-19 cases were reported in Mumbai on Friday, taking the citys tally to 5,61,998, while 53 more patients succumbed to the infection. Meanwhile, as many as 63,729 new Covid-19 cases and 398 deaths were reported in Maharashtra on Saturday in a span of 24 hours, taking the total active cases in the state to 6,38,034.
13:13 Lalu Yadav gets bail in fodder scam case
Jailed Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav was granted bail in a case linked to the fodder scam by the Jharkhand High Court today.
The former Bihar chief minister was serving his sentence in what was known as the Dumka Treasury case, where he was convicted of withdrawing Rs 3.13 crore from the treasury in the city in Jharkhand, formerly in Bihar.
Yadav, currently in Delhi's AIIMS for treatment, had earlier got bail in three out of the four cases linked to the Bihar fodder scam. With the bail in the Dumka case, he can now return home after being released from the hospital.
In jail since December 2017, the 72-year-old served most of his jail sentence at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Jharkhand. He was brought to Delhi in January after his health worsened.
12:46 Nearly 12 cr Covid vaccines administered so far
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has nearly touched 12 crores as part of the world's largest vaccination drive, the Union health ministry has informed on Saturday.
According to the ministry, a total of 11,99,37,641 vaccine doses have been administered through 17,37,539 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today.
These include 91,05,429 healthcare workers who have taken the first dose and 56,70,818 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,11,44,069 frontline workers(1stdose), 54,08,572 FLWs (second dose), 4,49,35,011 1st dose beneficiaries and 34,88,257 2nd dose beneficiaries more than 60 years old and 3,92,23,975 (first dose) and 9,61,510 (second dose) beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years.
The ministry of health further said over 30 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours on April 17.
"As on Day-91 of the vaccination drive on April 16, a total of 30,04,544 vaccine doses were given. 22,96,008 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 37,817 sessions for 1st dose and 7,08,536 beneficiaries received 2nd dose of the vaccine," the ministry mentioned.
-- ANI
12:21 Mumbai Marathon rescheduled, new date to be announced
The organisers of Mumbai Marathon on Saturday announced that the 17th edition of the event, which was to take place on May 30, has been rescheduled owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The new date will be announced in due course after consultations with the Government of Maharashtra and relevant athletic bodies," a media release stated.
"As we navigate these challenging times, we want you to know that we are leaving no stone unturned to make the marathon possible this year.
"The Government of Maharashtra and our partners have been extremely supportive to ensure that we have the best possible option, keeping in mind the safety and security for all involved," Procam International's Vivek Singh was quoted as saying in the release.
While the pandemic has not left any place untouched, Maharashtra is one of the worst affected states.
"By shifting our focus to a new date, we will continue to work closely with the state, national and international athletic bodies to identify a suitable date for the event, which is conducive to the safe conduct of the event for all stakeholders," he added.
The marathon is always held in January but due to the pandemic it was shifted to May 30.
Mumbai has reported 8839 new cases on Friday, pushing the total to 5.6 lakh, of which 85,226 are active cases, as per the BMC.
-- PTI
12:00 Bengal: 36.02% voter turnout recorded till 11 am
36.02 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11 am in 45 seats in West Bengal where polling is underway for the fifth phase.
The polling for the fifth phase of West Bengal assembly elections began at 7 am on Saturday across 45 assembly segments amid tight security.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths where voting is underway adhering to COVID-19 protocols, official sources said.
Over one crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the political fate of 342 candidates.
11:35 JD-S leader H D Kumaraswamy tests COVID-19 positive
Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said he has tested positive for coronavirus.
"I request everyone who came in close contact with me over the last few days to isolate themselves and get tested," the 61-year-old JD-S leader tweeted.
For the last few days, Kumaraswamy had been campaigning for the party candidate in Basavakalyan, which is going to bypoll today.
He had got himself inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on March 23.
-- PTI
11:22 Deep Sidhu granted bail in Jan 26 violence case
A Delhi court has granted bail to Deep Sidhu who is an accused in the January 26 violence case.
During the last hearing, Deep Sidhu had submitted in the court that he did not give any call to agitating farmers to go to Red Fort on January 26.
Sidhu also said that the call for protest was given by farmer leaders and that he was not a member of the farmer union. His lawyer submitted in the court that theres no evidence that Sidhu had mobilised the crowd. Deep also submitted that he had not indulged in a single act of violence.
Deep Sidhu had also admitted that he made a mistake of posting a video on Facebook and contended that it was not a crime. I just posted a video, that was my mistake. Every mistake is not a crime. The media named me as the main accused just because I posted a video. I was levelled by the media as the chief conspirator, I dont know why? Sidhu had said through his lawyer during his bail plea hearing on April 8.
Sidhu was arrested in February by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police in connection with the Red Fort violence that took place on Republic Day. He was wanted in connection with the case of instigating the crowd. The protesting farmers had given a call to take out a tractor march on January 26. They were given a mutually agreed route by the Delhi Police but a faction deviated from the routes and stormed the Red Fort, which was not part of the original schedule.
10:56 Manish Malhotra, Sumeet Vyas test positive for COVID-19
Fashion designer Manish Malhotra and actor Sumeet Vyas have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently under home quarantine.
Malhotra took to Instagram on late Friday evening and wrote he was following all safety protocols listed by his doctors.
"I have tested positive for COVID 19. I have immediately isolated myself and will be under home quarantine. I am following all safety protocols under the advice of my doctors. Please stay safe & take care," the 54-year-old designer wrote.
Vyas, 37, also shared his diagnosis on Instagram and informed his fans that he had "mild" COVID symptoms.
"I am taking all the necessary precautions, taking medication prescribed by my doctors and putting myself under home quarantine.
"Although I have very mild to negligible symptoms, but I'd request anyone who's come in contact with me in the last few days to get themselves tested," the actor wrote.
On Friday, Mumbai reported 8,839 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 5,61,998. -- PTI
10:54 Kejriwal to review COVID-19 situation in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday will hold a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation as the national capital has been witnessing an exponential rise in coronavirus cases.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is also nodal minister for COVID-19 management, and Health Minister Satyendar Jain will also attend the meeting.
"To monitor the current situation of Corona in Delhi on a day-to-day basis, Hon'ble CM Shri @ArvindKejriwal will convene a review meeting on COVID management along with the nodal minister, health minister and officials at 1 PM today," the chief minister's office tweeted.
Weekend curfew is currently underway in the national capital to arrest the spread of coronavirus.
On Friday, Delhi recorded the biggest single-day jump of 19,486 fresh COVID-19 cases and 141 deaths.
On November 18 last year, the city had recorded 131 COVID-19 deaths, which was the highest single-day fatality count in Delhi till April 15 since the start of the pandemic. -- PTI
10:14 Record 2.34 lakh new Covid cases in India
India's COVID-19 caseload surged to 1.45 crore cases with 2,34,692 fresh infections -- sharpest-ever daily spike -- as the country recorded over 2 lakh cases for the third straight day.
With 1,341 deaths, India saw the deadliest day of pandemic this year.
The death toll rises to 1,75,649.
09:54 4 Sikhs killed in FedEx facility mass shooting in US
At least eight people, including four Sikhs, were killed and five others were left injured in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in the US state of Indiana, according to community leaders.
The gunman, identified as 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole of Indiana, allegedly died by suicide after the shooting on late Thursday night at the FedEx facility in Indianapolis, taking the toll to nine.
About 90 per cent of the workers at this delivery service facility are said to be Indian-Americans, mostly from the Sikh community.
"This is very heart breaking. The Sikh community is devastated by this tragic incident," community leader Gurinder Singh Khalsa told PTI over the phone after meeting family members of the employees of the FedEx facility.
Late Friday night, the Marion County Coroner's Office and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) released the names of the victims: Amarjeet Johal (66), Jasvinder Kaur (64), Amarjit Skhon (48) and Jaswinder Singh (68). The first three deceased are women.
The IMPD said the coroner's office will determine the causes of death after autopsies are completed. Another Sikh, Harpreet Singh Gill, 45 was hit by a bullet near the eye and is now in the hospital.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed condolences over the tragic killings.
"Vice President Harris and I have been briefed by our homeland security team on the mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, where a lone gunman murdered eight people and wounded several more in the dark of night," Biden said in a statement.
Visiting Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, at the start of his bilateral meeting at the White House expressed his condolences to the victims and his sympathies to the families.
"Innocent citizens must not be exposed to any such violence. Freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are the universal values that link and are prevalent in the Indo-Pacific," he said.
Biden issued a proclamation in honour of the deceased. He ordered that the national flag be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all federal buildings.
Khalsa said community members are in touch with officials. "Post 9/11, the Sikh community has suffered a lot. It is high time that strong measures be taken to bring an end to such mass shootings. Enough is enough," he said. Indiana has about 10,000 members of the Sikh community.
Community leaders, like Khalsa, are engaged in philanthropic and charitable activities.
We have families in our country that are grieving the loss of their family members because of gun violence. There is no question that this violence must end. And we are thinking of the families that lost their loved ones, Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters.
The shooter allegedly turned his weapon on himself before law enforcement arrived at the scene. FedEx has confirmed that he was a former employee at the Indianapolis facility. No further information was released. -- PTI
09:50 Popular Tamil actor Vivekh dies
Popular Tamil actor Vivekh, who was put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support at a hospital here after he suffered a cardiac arrest, passed away on Saturday.
The 59-year-old comedian died in the early hours, SIMS Hospital vice president Dr Raju Sivasamy said in a statement.
Vivekh was admitted to the hospital on Friday and a cent per cent "blockage" in a heart vessel was detected and he was put on ECMO support since his condition turned critical.
The actor was administered the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. Authorities had said the cardiac arrest he suffered was not due to the vaccination. -- PTI
09:24 Kumbh should now only be symbolic during Covid: PM
In view of a surge in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara and urges him requests that Kumbh Mela should now only be symbolic.
Many seers have tested positive for COVID-19 after the commencement of Kumbh, including Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri, who is admitted at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh.
08:55 India to grant Pakistan cricket players visas for World T20
The Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, will have no difficulty in travelling to India for the ICC World T20 in October as the government is set to grant visas to the players from the neighbouring nation.
It has been learnt that BCCI secretary Jay Shah has informed the Apex Council about government's decision on giving visas to the Pakistan players.
"The visa issue of Pakistan cricket team has been sorted. However whether the fans can travel across the border to watch matches is still not clear," an Apex Council member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
"It will be decided in due course of time. However we had promised ICC that it will be sorted. The secretary announced during the meeting."
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral series for many years now due to political tension between two countries.
The BCCI has also zeroed in on nine venues where World T20 will be held with Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium hosting the final.
The other venues are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Dharamsala. -- PTI
08:34 Postpone non-essential surgeries, save oxygen: Maha task force chief
The Maharashtra State COVID task force chairperson Dr Sanjay Oak has suggested that non-essential surgeries be postponed to save medical oxygen.
He said the decision on this, however, would have to be taken at a local level as factors such as the patient's condition and medical urgency are paramount.
Amid a spike in cases, there is a reported shortage of medical oxygen in some parts of the state. -- PTI
08:22 Amid Covid spike, Bengal votes in 5th phase
The polling for the fifth phase of West Bengal assembly elections began at 7 am on Saturday across 45 assembly segments amid tight security.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths where voting is underway adhering to COVID-19 protocols, official sources said.
Over one crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the political fate of 342 candidates.
Security measures have been heightened for the fifth phase in view of the violence in the previous phase, which witnessed the death of five people in Cooch Behar district, including four in CISF firing.
The Election Commission has decided to deploy at least 853 companies of central forces to ensure free and fair voting, an official said.
The polling will continue till 6:30 pm. -- PTI
00:10 Maha CM chairs meet on oxygen supply, beds in Mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said people must get their COVID-19 test reports quickly, while officials must also ensure optimum medical oxygen supply as well as effective bed and medicine management amid the surge in case.
The CM chaired a review meeting on the COVID-19 situation in Mumbai, which was also attended by BMC commissioner IS Chahal.
Chahal said there were 20,400 beds in 153 COVID hospitals in Mumbai, and this wold be increased to 22,000 by next week.
"The daily count of cases per day is between 8000 to 10,000. The number of patients discharged on a daily basis is also around 10,000. There are 3,900 available beds at present," the civic chief said.
He said two lakh vials of Remdesivir were being purchased, while 25,000 were available. -- PTI
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