First RORO Oxygen Express Arrives in Maharashtra Amid COVID Surge
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The first Roll On Roll Off (RORO) Oxygen Express, that departed from Visakhapatnam on Thursday, has arrived at Nagpur Junction railway station with 7 oxygen tankers, of which 3 tankers have been unloaded.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh government, on Friday, 23 April, decided to impose night curfew, from 10 pm to 5 am, tomorrow onwards amid the horrific nation-wide surge in COVID-19 cases.
India on Friday, 23 April, reported 3,32,730 fresh COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours – the highest one-day spike so far in the country since the pandemic began.
As many as 2,263 COVID fatalities and 1,93,279 discharges in 24 hours were recorded, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total case tally has now reached 1,62,63,695 with 24,28,616 active patients and 1,86,920 deaths. The total number of recoveries, meanwhile, stands at 1,36,48,159.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a meeting with the Chief Ministers of high burden states, over the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
Meanwhile, Delhi, on Thursday, reported 306 deaths due to COVID-19 – the highest number of single-day fatalities. Delhi also recorded over 26,000 cases during the same period. With this, the positivity rate has risen to 36.24 percent.
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced a lockdown in the national capital till 5 am on 26 April.
- The Centre on Monday announced that those above 18 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine from 1 May.
- Several states will offer the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost from 1 May.
- India’s “Oxygen Express” train made its first run on Thursday from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) in Visakhapatnam to Maharashtra.
- In an urgent hearing, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government to ensure the supply of medical oxygen by “whatever means required”.
India Reports New Daily Spike
India on Friday, 23 April, reported 3,32,730 fresh COVID-19 cases – the highest one-day spike so far in the country since the pandemic began.
PM Chairs Meet With CMs Over COVID
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a meeting with the Chief Ministers of high burden states, over the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
KT Rama Rao Tests Positive for COVID-19
Telangana Minister for Information Technology and Municipal Administration and Development, KT Rama Rao (KTR), has tested positive for COVID-19.
Taking to Twitter on Friday, the Minister, who is also the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi's working president, asked those who were in contact with him to get tested.
Oxygen Tanker Headed From Panipat to Sirsa Goes Missing
A tanker carrying liquid oxygen, which was travelling from Panipat to Sirsa in Haryana, has gone missing after which police have registered a case and launched investigations.
Panipat police said on Friday a case has been lodged on the complaint of district drug controller.
ICMR Grants Permission for Drone Trial to Deliver Vaccine
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has granted permission for conducting feasibility study of COVID-19 vaccine delivery using drones in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.
In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Ministry and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to the ICMR for conducting feasibility study of COVID-19 vaccine delivery using drones in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.
Empty Oxygen Tankers Airlifted From Hyderabad
Empty oxygen tankers from Telangana were airlifted to Odisha on Friday to bring back oxygen faster to the state.
An Indian Air Force (IAF) plane was used to airlift the tankers to Odisha from Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
Tamil Nadu CM Writes to PM Modi, Seeks 20 Lakh Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine
The Tamil Nadu government on Friday urged the Centre to allocate an "assured supply" of 20 lakh doses of COVID vaccines to ensure unhindered immunisation and batted against any restriction on supply of Remdesivir, used in COVID-19 treatment.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that an Integrated Vaccine complex near here was ready and appealed that it be brought to working condition at the earliest to augment production of COVID vaccines.
DGCI Approves 'Virafin' for Treating Moderate COVID Infections in Adults
The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) on Friday, approved emergency use for Zydus Cadila's Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b, ‘Virafin’ for treating moderate COVID-19 infection in adults.
23 Mobile Oxygen Generation Plants Being Airlifted From Germany: Defence Ministry
Amid reports of oxygen shortage in hospitals, the Defence Ministry announced that the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has decided to import oxygen generation plants and containers from Germany to cater to the shortage.
23 mobile oxygen generation plants are being airlifted from Germany and will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to COVID patients. The plants are expected within a week, the Defence Ministry added.
Odisha Reports Highest-Ever Single-Day Spike of 6,215 New Cases
Odisha's COVID-19 tally mounts to 3,94,694 as the state reports its highest-ever single-day spike of 6,215 new cases; eight more fatalities push the death toll to 1,973.
Karnataka Metro Services to Be Closed on The Weekend: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd
Metro rail services will be closed in Karnataka on Saturdays and Sundays, in view of Weekend Curfew, reported ANI, citing Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Orders Immediate Recruitment of 400 Nurses, 140 Technicians to Govt Medical Colleges
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered immediate recruitment of 400 nurses and 140 technicians to government medical colleges, reported ANI, citing the Chief MInister’s Office (CMO).
The CMO also said that he will soon write a letter to PM Modi seeking direction to PGI Satellite Centres & Military Hospitals in Punjab to provide COVID beds to citizens.
"All CM's Said There Should Be One Rate of Vaccines": Chhattisgarh CM
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, following his meet with PM Modi on Friday, said:
Ahmedabad's Dhanvantari COVID Hospital to Be Functional From Saturday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will review the preparedness at Ahmedbad's Dhanvantari COVID Hospital on Friday, reported ANI. This facility, a collaborative initiative of DRDO and Gujarat University, will be functional from Saturday.
DRDO COVID Centre, in Delhi Cantt, Likely to Get 250 More Beds by Today Evening: Govt Official
DRDO COVID centre in Delhi Cantt which currently has 250 beds, will get 250 more beds likely by Friday evening, reported ANI, citing a Government official.
Getting Request for Movement of Liquid Oxygen, Have Asked Delhi Govt to Keep Their Tankers Ready: Railway Board Chairman
Suneet Sharma, Chairman Railway Board, has informed ANI that they have been getting requests for movement of liquid oxygen by rail wagons and have asked the Delhi government to keep their tankers ready.
“States like Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi have requested us for the movement of liquid oxygen by rail wagons. We are coordinating with the Delhi government very closely. We have asked them to keep their tankers ready,” Sharma said.
Lucknow Cops Bust a Gang Involved in Selling Fake Remdesivir Vials
Manak Nagar Police busted a gang involved in selling fake Remdesivir vials. The accused were selling them for Rs 20,000 each to COVID patients, reported ANI, citing the Lucknow Police Commissionerate
Recieved Liquid Tanker Which Will Last 14 Hours, So Far Managed With Oxygen From Small Vendors: COO, Aakash Healthcare, Delhi
Dr Kousar A Shah, COO, Aakash Healthcare in Dwarka, Delhi told ANI:
Those Who Need to Urgently Travel Outside Mumbai Can Apply for an E-Pass: Mumbai Police PRO
S Chaitanya, Mumbai Police PRO on Friday informed ANI that those who need to urgently travel outside Mumbai can apply for an e-pass on http://covid19.mhpolice.in.
S Chaitanya, further said: “They can either keep the pass on smartphones or paste its printout on their vehicles. This particular pass is not to commute inside the city.”
We Shouldn't Get Obstruction in Getting Oxygen From Other States: Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope, on Friday, 23 April, informed that Prime Minister Modi has informed the Air Force to assist movement of oxygen to Maharashtra.
“We should not get any obstruction in getting oxygen from other states, we should get green corridors. If the filled tanker cannot be airlift, then the empty tanker should be airlifted by the Air Force, Rajesh Tope said.
'Expediate All Measures for Immediate Strengthening of Hospital Infrastructure': Dr Vardhan to Central Govt Hospitals
Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, on Friday, 23 April, reviewed COVID19 management preparedness of Central Govt Hospitals and AIIMS, New Delhi
Dr Vardhan directed hospitals to urgently take up all steps for augmenting ICU and Oxygen Supported beds
“Expedite all measures for Immediate Strengthening of Hospital Infrastructure,” he said
DRDO-Tata Sons Oxygen are generating plants for all Central Government Hospitals, Dr Harsh Vardhan further informed.
PM Modi Holds Virtual Meeting With Leading Oxygen Manufacturers
PM held a meeting with leading oxygen manufacturers across country via video conferencing, reported ANI.
PM Modi, in the meeting, said this time is not only to deal with challenges but also to provide solutions soon. He stressed on the need to maintain good co-ordination between govt and oxygen producers.
Night Curfew in Andhra Pradesh, Starting Tomorrow
Andhra Pradesh government has decided to impose night curfew, from 10 pm to 5 am, tomorrow onwards amid the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the state, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said, as per ANI.
Andhra Pradesh Reports 11,766 New COVID-19 Cases
Andhra Pradesh on Friday, reported 11,766 new COVID-19 cases, 4441 recoveries, and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 10,09,228
Total recoveries 9,27,418
Death toll 7579
Active cases 74,231
Tamil Nadu Reports 13,776 New COVID-19 Cases
Tamil Nadu, on Friday, reported 13,776 new COVID-19 cases, 8078 recoveries and 78 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 10,51,487
Total recoveries 9,43,044
Death toll 13,395
Active cases 95,048
Ravi Shankar Choudhary, Additional Secy, Bihar Health Dept, Passes Away Due to COVID-19
Additional Secretary in the health department of Bihar, Ravi Shankar Choudhary on Friday, 23 April, passed away due to COVID-19, reported ANI.
Goa Reports 1,420 New COVID-19 Cases
Goa reported 1,420 new COVID-19 cases, 12 fatalities and 596 recoveries in the last 24 hours; active cases at 11,040
Nagpur District Reports 7,485 New COVID-19 Cases
Nagpur district, on Friday reported, 7,485 new COVID-19 cases, 6,531 recoveries and 82 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases: 3,58,418
Total recoveries: 2,78,302
Death toll: 6,767
Active cases: 73,349
Rajasthan Reports 15,398 New COVID-19 Cases
Rajasthan reported 15,398 new COVID-19 cases, 5,197 recoveries, and 64 deaths, as per the state’s health department.
Active cases: 1,17,294
Total recoveries: 3,62,526
Death toll: 3,453
Mumbai Reports New 7,221 COVID-19 Cases
Mumbai reported 7,221 new COVID-19 cases, 9,541 recoveries and 72 fatalities on Friday. Total active cases stand at 81,538.
Bengal Records Highest Single-Day Spike of 12,876 New Cases
As per the health department, Bengal recorded the highest single-day spike of 12,876 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state’s tally to 7,13,780. This comes a day after polling in the sixth phase was concluded. Two phases are remaining to be held on 26 and 29 April, amid demands to combine them.
Air Passengers Travelling to West Bengal to Present Negative COVID Reports
West Bengal government informed the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Friday, that air passengers travelling from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh to West Bengal from 26 April onwards, will have to present negative COVID reports, which cannot be older than 72 hours.
'Very Soon, 3 Lakh Vial of Remdesivir Per Day Will be Produced,' Claims Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Twitter that since 12 April, 25 new manufacturing sites for Remdesivir's production have been approved.
He said in a tweet, “Production capacity is now ramped up to ≥90 lakhs vials per month, earlier it was 40 lakhs vials/month.”
He further tweeted that very soon 3 lakh vials will be produced per day.
Home Minister Reviews Situation Arising Out of Sharp Rise in COVID Cases
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as per a government press release, has reviewed the situation arising out of sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and directed various measures to augment the supply of oxygen for medical purposes. Further, as per the release:
- Expert Group has been directed to optimise and rationalise the allocation of oxygen to various States and UTs
- MHA has written to all States and UTs, today to ensure adequate security to oxygen transporting vehicles and to make provisions for exclusive corridors for transportation
- Central Government has prohibited supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those for few essential sectors
Maharashtra Reports 66,836 New COVID-19 Cases
Maharashtra reports 66,836 new COVID19 cases, 74,045 recoveries and 773 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 6,91,851
Total cases: 41,61,676
Total recoveries: 34,04,792
Death toll: 63,252
First RORO Oxygen Express Arrives in Maharashtra
Roll On Roll Off (RORO) Oxygen Express, that departed from Visakhapatnam on Thursday, has arrived at Nagpur Junction railway station with 7 oxygen tankers, of which 3 tankers have been unloaded.
Maharashtra Reports 773 Deaths - Highest Single Day Count; But Also, After Weeks, More Recoveries Than Fresh Cases
Maharashtra, on Friday, reported 773 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours, registering its biggest-ever single-day spike in the death count.
The state also reported 66,836 new cases. However, after weeks, the state has recorded more recoveries (74,045) than fresh cases.
Union Home Secy Ajay Bhalla Writes to All States, UTs to Provide Security to Oxygen Transporting Vehicles
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, on Friday, wrote to all states and UTs to provide adequate security to oxygen-transporting vehicles, and to make provisions for exclusive corridors for such transportation, treating these vehicles like ambulances.
Next Two Days to See Curbs Similar to a Lockdown: Kerala CM
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has informed that the next two days (Saturday and Sunday) will see restrictions similar to lockdown. Only essential services and emergency travel to be allowed.
There is a cap of 75 people indoor and 150 outdoor for marriages and a maximum of 50 people for funeral services, Vijayan further informed, as per ANI.
28,447 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Kerala
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has informed that 28,447 positive COVID-19 cases, 5,663 recoveries and 27 deaths were reported in Kerala on Friday, 23 April.
As many as 1,30,617 samples were tested during last 24 hours. There are 1,78,983 active cases and 11,66,135 people have recovered so far in the state:
Bengaluru Records an All-Time High of 16,662 New Cases
Bengaluru, the city with the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in the country, reported an all-time record of 16,662 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours on Friday, even as Karnataka witnessed another day of biggest single day spike, the state health department said.
The state reported 26,962 COVID-19 cases in a day taking the overall caseload to more than 12.74 lakh.
West Bengal Reports 12,876 New COVID-19 Cases
West Bengal, on Friday, reported 12,876 new COVID-19 cases, 59 deaths and 6,878 discharges in the last 24 hours.
Total cases: 7,13,780
Active cases: 74,737
Amid Rising COVID Cases in Lakshadweep, Southern Naval Command at Kochi Deputes Two Ships to Ferry Oxygen Cylinders
In view of rising COVID-19 cases in Lakshadweep, Southern Naval Command at Kochi has deputed two naval ships as 'oxygen express' to ferry oxygen cylinders to the Union Territory, and to collect empty cylinders for refilling, reported ANI.
Delhi Reports 24,331 New COVID-19 Cases
Delhi on Friday reported 24,331 new COVID-19 cases, 348 deaths and 23,572 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Total cases: 9,80,679
Active cases: 92,029
Total recoveries: 8,75,109
Death toll: 13,541
Haryana Records 11,854 New COVID-19 Cases
Haryana, on Friday, recorded 11,854 new COVID19 cases, 60 deaths and 6,334 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Total recoveries: 3,35,143
Active cases: 64,057
Death toll: 3,643
Total cases: 4,02,843
Karnataka Records 26,962 New COVID-19 Cases
Karnataka, on Friday, recorded 26,962 new COVID-19 cases and 190 fatalities in the last 24 hours; case tally at 12,74,959 and active cases at 2,14,311.
Chhattisgarh Reports 17,397 New COVID-19 Cases
Chhattisgarh, on Friday, reported 17,397 new COVID-19 cases, 14,284 recoveries and 219 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 1,23,479
Total cases: 6,22,965
Death toll: 6,893
Total recoveries: 4,92,593
Delhi Reports Highest Ever Single-Day Spike in Death Count
Delhi on Friday reported 348 COVID-linked deaths - its highest-ever single-day spike in the death count.
Sixty Five Healthcare Personnel on Kumbh Duty Test Positive for COVID-19
Sixty-five healthcare personnel, including doctors, deployed on Kumbh duty have tested positive for COVID-19. All of them have been kept in isolation, reported PTI, citing officials.
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