COVID-19: India records highest-single day spike with 601 cases

New Delhi, Apr 4
In its biggest daily rise, the number of Covid-19 cases in the country increased by 601 in the last 24 hours. During its daily briefing, the Health Ministry said of the total cases, 30 per cent of the Covid-19 cases (1,023 cases) are linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation that took place last month in capital’s Nizamuddin West area.
However, according to the State-wise data, six fresh deaths were reported — three from Maharashtra, two from Delhi and one from Gujarat. Thus, Maharashtra has reported the most deaths (19) so far, followed by Madhya Pradesh (11), Telangana (7), Gujarat (9), Delhi (6), Punjab (5), Karnataka (3), West Bengal (3), Jammu and Kashmir (2), Uttar Pradesh (2) and Kerala (2). Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh have reported a death each. The total figure of positive cases includes 55 foreign nationals.
Ahead of Prime Minister’s call to switch off all lights on Sunday for 9 minutes in solidarity with the country’s fight against novel coronavirus, electricity companies have advised people to keep main switches turned on. It is advised by discoms that on Sunday from 9-9.09 pm, people may switch off their lights (bulbs, lamps, tube lights, etc) but refrain from shutting down their main switches, fans, computers, TVs, ACs and refrigerators. This is to ensure stability of the grid.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday chaired a meeting of Empowered Groups constituted for planning and ensuring imple- mentation of COVID-19 response activities in the Nation. During the meeting, PM Modi took stock of countrywide preparedness regarding the availability of hospitals, proper isolation and quarantine facilities as well as disease surveillance, testing and critical care training, Office of the PM tweeted. He further directed concerned groups and officials to ensure sufficient production, procurement and availability of all essential medical equipment such as PPEs, masks, gloves and ventilators.
The Government has put curbs on exports of diagnostic kits with a view to discourage shipments amid the coronavirus outbreak. “The export of diagnostic kits is restricted with immediate effect,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The move would help in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis as these kits are required for testing of patients.
Earlier, exports of these products were allowed without any restrictions. Putting them under the restricted category would mean that an exporter will now require a licence from the DGFT for outbound shipments.
Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said the procurement process for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kits, N95 masks, ventilators is in the advanced stage and these will reach the states soon. He, however, said that “there is no shortage as of today”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged people to use homemade face masks, saying “such people who are not suffering from any medical condition or having breathing difficulties may use the handmade reusable face cover, particularly when they step out of their house.” Agencies