Over 9 lakh persons are under active COVID-19 surveillance in India, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. Data from States put the death toll at 785.
The country registered another biggest single-day spike with over 1,752 positive COVID cases since Thursday. India currently has 18,272 active cases, while 4,813 people have recovered, which puts the recovery rate at 20.57%, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said.
The Hindu has brought out a multi-language e-book on essential COVID-19 information, in addition to covering the developments related to the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolded. Here is a collection of our daily cartoons on COVID-19.
Here are answers from experts on your queries about the virus, a list of State Helpline numbers, a State-wise tracker for COVID-19 cases, deaths and testing, and a map of confirmed cases in India.
Here are the latest updates:
5.00 pm | India
India records lowest daily growth rate in COVID-19 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 six-per cent growth in new cases, which is the lowest daily growth rate recorded since the country crossed 100 cases, the government said on Saturday.
4.50 pm | Uttar Pradesh
157 fresh cases reported in Uttar Pradesh; total now 1,778
As many as 157 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the total in the state to 1,778, a senior government official said here.
With this, the number of active cases climbs to 1,504, Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Amit Mohan Prasad added.
“Till now, 248 COVID-19 patients have been discharged in the state, while 26 deaths have taken place,” he said.
Mr. Prasad added that 57 of the State’s 75 districts have so far reported coronavirus cases.
(PTI)
4.40 pm | J&K
J&K witnesses highest single-day rise with 40 new cases
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the highest single day rise, with 40 cases of novel Coronavirus, taking the total tally to 494.
“Finally J&K breaks the 1000 test barrier- 1071 samples tested in the last 24 hours. But that also means more positives- so 40 new cases today- all from Kashmir. An unfortunate death too; total deaths now 6,” said J&K Government spokesman Rohit Kansal.
(Peerzada Ashiq)
4.30 pm | Gujarat
Doubling of COVID-19 cases slowed in 6 days ending April 23 in Gujarat
The number of coronavirus positive patients in Gujarat doubled from 617 after April 14 to 1,272 on April 17, but this rate slowed down in the subsequent six days up to April 23 during which 1352 more cases were detected, as per the analysis by Health department.
4.20 pm | Delhi
Ola partners Delhi govt. to offer free emergency mobility to citizens
Ride-hailing major Ola on Saturday said it has partnered with Delhi state government’s health department to offer free medical transportation to people.
Citizens in need of mobility support for any non-COVID medical care can dial 102 and the health ministry team will allocate a cab for the patient to be transported to a hospital free of cost, a statement said.
“Ola is providing convenient, reliable and safe transport services for all non-COVID medical trips such as scheduled check-ups, dialysis, chemotherapy and for immediate medical needs such as injuries, amongst others,” it added.
(PTI)
4.10 pm | Delhi
Not entire Delhi a hotspot: Delhi health minister on lockdown relaxations
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday said there are 92 coronavirus hotspots in the national capital but the entire city is not a hotspot.
Mr. Jain was replying to a query on whether the Delhi government was considering easing the curbs enforced to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier this week said the lockdown will continue as usual in the national capital and no relaxation of prohibitions will be allowed before a review meeting of experts on April 27.
3.50 pm | Bihar
Five more cases in Bihar
Five more COVID-19 positive cases in Bihar have taken the State tally to 228.
Among the five, two males are from Rohtas District, one from Arwal while, one female is from Ara (Bhojpur) and one from Saran district.
(Amarnath Tewary)
3.30 pm | Tamil Nadu
Over 1,000 nurses recruited in Tamil Nadu, part of efforts to tackle COVID-19
As many as 1,323 nurses have been chosen by the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB), according to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The chosen candidates are being issued appointment orders. On receipt of the orders, they have been advised to join duty immediately. This is part of the government’s efforts to tackle the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.20 pm | West Bengal
Central team suggests stricter implementation of lockdown in north Bengal
A central team visiting north Bengal to assess the COVID-19 situation wrote to the West Bengal government on Saturday, suggesting stricter implementat