COVID-19: India’s Case Tally Nears 25,000; Death Toll at 779
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The number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to 24,942 on Saturday, 25 April, with the tally including 18,953 active cases, 779 deaths, 5,209 cured or discharged patients and one migrated patient, according to the Health Ministry figures.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has agreed to implement the Home Ministry's order on opening of shops amid lockdown, PTI reported on Saturday, citing officials. Late on Friday, the Centre had issued guidelines on the opening of certain shops, while asserting the need to follow social distancing.
A higher degree of relaxation was given to shops in rural areas, as compared to those in urban areas.
- The government has said that from Friday 8 am to Saturday 8 am, India recorded a 6 percent growth in new cases, which is the lowest daily growth rate recorded since the country crossed 100 cases
- Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the lockdown guidelines will remain unchanged in the state till 3 May
- 811 new COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths were reported in Maharashtra on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 7,628 and death toll to 323
- Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday wrote to PM Narendra Modi seeking a financial package for the MSME sector
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138 New COVID-19 Cases in Delhi; Tally Rises to 2,514
A day after soaring by 128, the coronavirus infection registered another sharp rise by 138 cases, raising the total number of the positive cases in the national capital to 2,514 on Friday, revealed the Delhi Government’s daily health bulletin.
The day also saw three COVID-19 deaths, one more than what it suffered on Thursday, taking the total number of corona casualties in the capital to 53, the bulletin revealed.
Of the total 53 fatalities reported till date, 29 of the deceased were aged 60 or above, accounting for over 54 percent of the total COVID-19 deaths in the capital, said officials.
Fourteen of them were aged between 50-59 and 10 were aged less than 50 years, they added.
By Thursday night, the number of cases of the deadly virus in the city stood at 2,376 including 50 deaths.
FDA Approves First At-home Test Kit
In a major development, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first at-home COVID-19 test kit, which is expected to bring coronavirus testing to the doorsteps of every household.
The first at-home test kit has been developed by LabCorp, a US company which has a network of medical laboratories across the country. It costs USD 119 in the United States.
This is a test where under certain circumstances with doctor supervision, a test can be mailed to a patient, and the patient can perform the self-swab and then mail it back and get the results after that time all under the guidance of a licensed physician, FDA Commissioner Stephen M Hahn told reporters at a White House news conference.
Nine CRPF Personnel Test Positive for COVID-19
Nine CRPF personnel on Friday, 24 April, tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi, officials were quoted by PTI as saying.
The nine who tested COVID-19 positive include seven constables, a head constable and a sub-inspector rank officer, the officials said.
Coronavirus: Total 24,506 Cases in India, Death Toll at 775
India's total number of coronavirus positive cases has risen to 24,506, including 18,668 active cases, 775 deaths, and 5,062 recoveries – according to the Health Ministry’s bulletin on Saturday, 25 April.
Highest Number of Cases Recorded in Maharashtra, Gujarat
According to the Health Ministry data updated on 24 April morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 6,817, followed by Gujarat at 2,815, Delhi at 2,514, Rajasthan at 2,034, Madhya Pradesh at 1,852 and Tamil Nadu at 1,755.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 1,621 in Uttar Pradesh, 984 in Telangana and 955 in Andhra Pradesh.
Ready to Cooperate With Indian Agencies: Chinese Suppliers of Rapid Test Kits
Two Chinese pharma companies, which supplied 5.5 lakh rapid testing kits for COVID-19 to India, said they are ready to cooperate with Indian agencies looking into allegations of poor accuracy of their products.
In separate statements, Guongzhou Wondfo Biotech and Livzon Diagnostics said they follow strict quality control of their products, asserting that specified guidelines must be followed in storage of the kits as as well in their usages to get accurate results.
India's apex medical research body ICMR on Tuesday advised states to stop using the rapid antibody test kits for next two days till it examines their quality following complaints that they are not fully effective in detecting coronavirus infection.
7 More Test Positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Seven more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 29, an official said on Saturday. All of them are residents of the Bambooflat area in the south Andaman district, he said.
"Of the new cases, six are from one family, and all of them came in contact with a COVID-19 patient detected earlier," the official said.
No Relaxation of Lockdown in Assam
The Assam government has announced that there will be “no relaxation” of lockdown – like opening of shops and beauty parlours. A decision regarding the same will be taken on 27 April, reported ANI.
Decision on Delhi Lockdown Extension by 30 April
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that decision to extend lockdown in the national capital will be taken after 30 April.
“Discussions are underway. Whatever is finalised, will be started only after 30 April,” said Satyendar Jain about extending lockdown in Delhi.
Union Ministers' Meet Over COVID-19 Underway
Union Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting over COVID-19 underway at Health Ministry.
Karnataka Records 15 New COVID-19 Cases
15 new positive cases have been reported from 24 April 5:00 pm to 25 April 12:00 pm in Karnataka, taking the total number of cases to 489.
No Public Gathering Allowed in IP Until 30 June: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has directed officers that no public gathering be allowed till 30 June. Further decision will be taken depending on the situation, a statement from Yogi Adityanath’s office said.
COVID-19: Junior Doctor Tests Positive in AMU
Another junior doctor at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital at Aligarh Muslim University tests positive for coronavirus, total COVID-19 cases in city rise to eight, authorities tell PTI.
Coronavirus Cases Cross 1000-Mark in AP, 61 More Confirmed
Coronavirus cases crossed the 1000-mark in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday reaching 1,016 as 61 more tested positive in the last 24 hours. Two deaths were reported taking the toll to 31 in the state.
The latest COVID-19 bulletin said 26 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery.
After Kurnool and Guntur districts, Krishna is now fast becoming the pandemic's hotbed in the state as 25 fresh cases were registered in the last 24 hours.
No Relaxation of Lockdown in Lucknow
The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday, 25 April, said that there will be no relaxation of lockdown guidelines in Lucknow.
“There will be no relaxation in the guidelines of lockdown, in Lucknow. The system which has been followed so far, will continue to be followed,” said District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash to ANI.
Central Teams Assess COVID-19 Situation in Ahmedabad, Surat
Separate central teams visited Ahmedabad and Surat cities in Gujarat on Saturday to take stock of the COVID-19 situation in these two districts, officials said.
The teams held talks with senior officials, including collectors, civic chiefs, police commissioners in Ahmedabad and Surat, they said. Both the inter-ministerial central teams (IMCT) are headed by Additional Secretary-level officers.
The visit comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the coronavirus situation in Ahmedabad, Surat, Thane (Maharashtra), Hyderabad (Telangana) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) is "especially serious".
Nepal Extends Ban On Int'l Flights
Nepal extended ban on operations of domestic and international flights till 15 May, reported PTI.
Jharkhand COVID-19 Tally Rises to 63 After 4 Test +Ve in Ranchi
Four people tested positive for COVID-19 in Ranchi on Saturday, taking the total tally in Jharkhand to 63.
1,778 COVID-19 Cases in UP; 2,224 Migrant Workers Return
Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said on Saturday that 1,778 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in the state so far, out of which 1,504 are active cases. As many as 248 patients have been cured or discharged and 26 deaths have been reported, out of which most deaths were due to comorbidity or old age.
Meanwhile, 2,224 migrant workers from Haryana arrived in UP on Saturday in 82 buses, the state's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish K Awasthi said. They will be quarantined before being sent to their respective homes.
COVID-19 Tally in Bihar Rises to 238 With 10 New Cases
The number of COVID-19 cases in Bihar rose to 238, with 10 more people testing positive on Saturday. Out of the new cases, five have been reported from Kaimur, four from Buxar and one from Patna.
India Records Lowest Daily Growth Rate in Cases Since it Crossed 100 Cases
The average doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in the country is 9.1 days as of now and from Friday 8 am to Saturday 8 am, India recorded a 6 percent growth in new cases, which is the lowest daily growth rate recorded since the country crossed 100 cases, the government said on Saturday, reported PTI.
The 13th meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 was held under the chairpersonship of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday.
The GOM was briefed on state-wise details of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, along with the adequacy of isolation beds and wards, PPE kits, N95 masks, drugs, ventilators and oxygen cylinders, among others, the health ministry said.
Coronavirus Death Toll in Europe Tops 1,20,000
The coronavirus death toll in Europe has topped 1,20,000, as per a tally by news agency AFP.
Sonia Gandhi Writes to PM Seeking Financial Package for MSME Sector
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a financial package for the MSME sector.
"If ignored, the MSME crisis has the potential of having devastating and expansive ripple effect on our economy," she told the PM in her letter, asking him to take measures to ensure the revival and strengthening of the sector.
500 COVID-19 Cases in Karnataka
As many as 26 fresh COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Karnataka in the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the state to 500, including 18 deaths and 158 patients being discharged, the health department said.
21 New COVID-19 Cases in Dharavi
As many as 21 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Dharavi on Saturday, taking the total number of positive cases in the locality to 241, including 14 deaths, the BMC said.
3 New COVID-19 Cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar
Three new COVID-19 cases were reported in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Saturday, taking the total number of cases in the district to 112, of which 59 have been cured.
States, UTs Asked to Put on Hold Use of Rapid Antibody Test Kits: Sources
States and Union territories have been asked to put on hold the use of COVID-19 rapid antibody test kits till their accuracy is re-checked by ICMR, official sources cited by PTI said on Saturday.
COVID-19 Tally in Kerala Rises to 457
The number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala rose to 457 on Saturday after the detection of seven more infections – three each in Kottayam and Kollam districts, and one in Kannur. Currently, there are 116 active cases in the state.
Delhi Govt to Implement Centre's Guidelines on Shops: Sources
The Delhi government has agreed to implement the Centre's latest guidelines on opening of shops, government sources cited by ANI said on Saturday.
Standalone shops and shops in residential areas will remain open, but social distancing and other norms will have to be followed and strictly implemented, the sources said.
No activity will be allowed in the containment zones.
66 New COVID-19 Cases in TN; Recovery Rate at 52%
As many as 66 new COVID-19 cases and one death were reported in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 1,821
"The recovery rate is 52 percent in the state which is convincing news," Vijayabhaskar, the state Health Minister said.
Lockdown Guidelines to Remain Unchanged in Maha Till 3 May
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Saturday that the lockdown guidelines will remain unchanged in the state till 3 May.
57-Year-Old Constable Dies of COVID-19 in Mumbai
A 57-year-old police constable who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai on Saturday, officials were quoted by PTI as saying.
This is the first known case of a police personnel dying due to coronavirus infection in Maharashtra. The constable was attached to a police station in the western suburbs and lived in Worli Naka area in south Mumbai.
A total of 96 police personnel, including 15 officers, have contracted coronavirus infection in Maharashtra so far, officials had said earlier in the day.
281 New Cases in Mumbai; Tally Stands at 4,870
As many as 281 new cases and 12 deaths were reported in Mumbai on Saturday, taking the number of cases in the city to 4,870. A total of 762 patients have been discharged till now. The death toll in the city stands at 191.
Bodies of Indians Who Die Abroad Due to COVID-19 Can be Brought Back: MHA
The Home Ministry on Saturday said the bodies of Indian nationals and OCI cardholders, who died abroad due to COVID-19, can be brought back, but with strict adherence to relevant guidelines, PTI reported.
In an official communication, the ministry said airport authorities have to follow the protocols laid down by different government agencies in this regard.
811 New COVID-19 Cases Take Maharashtra's Tally to 7,628
As many as 811 new COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths were reported in Maharashtra on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 7,628 and death toll to 323, the state Health Department said.