Coronavirus in India 115,736 new Covid-19 cases, highest so far

NEW DELHI, Apr 7
India detected 115,736 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest so far. Of the total, Maharashtra reported 55,469 cases while Chhattisgarh scaled a new peak of 9,921 cases. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi reported more than 5,000 cases each.
India’s caseload now stands at 1,28,01,785, of which 8,43,473 are active cases and 1,17,92,135 people have recovered from the virus.
At least 630 deaths were reported on Tuesday, taking the country’s toll to 1,66,177. On Tuesday, almost half the deaths (297) were reported in Maharashtra. Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka were the other States which reported large number of deaths.
On Tuesday, India recorded the highest number of vaccinations in a single day so far: 43,00,966. The total vaccination so far stands at 8,70,77,474.
Focus on fighting Covid-19, says PM Modi on World Health Day
On the occasion of World Health Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday urged people to focus on fighting Covid-19 by taking all possible precautions. He also said it was a day to reaffirm our gratitude and appreciation to those who work to keep our planet healthy, and reiterate our commitment to supporting research and innovation in healthcare.
Delhi HC says wearing masks in vehicle compulsory, even when travelling alone
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said wearing a mask or a face cover in a vehicle, even when travelling alone, was mandatory. Justice Prathiba M Singh ruled that a vehicle moving across the city constituted as a public place, and therefore, travellers in personal or official vehicles, would have to wear masks to control the spread of Covid-19.
“A vehicle even if occupied by one person would constitute a public place and wearing a mask therein would be compulsory. The wearing of a mask or a face cover in a vehicle which may be occupied by either a single person or multiple persons is thus held to be compulsory,” said the Court.
Four petitions were filed in the Court last year challenging the imposition of Rs 500 fine on those not wearing face masks while travelling alone in a private car.
Maharashtra running short of Covid-19 vaccines, says state Health Minister
Maharashtra on Wednesday said that the State was running short of Covid vaccines, especially in urban centres, and urged the Centre to send in additional stocks. The State has 13 lakh doses of Covaxin and Covishield in stock, which according to its estimates will be exhausted in three days.
The State has been vaccinating between 3.5 lakh to 4 lakh people daily, with more than 8.56 million having received the jab till Tuesday night. On Tuesday, 3.88 lakh people were vaccinated in the State.
“We do not have enough vaccine doses at multiple centres. Health workers are now turning away many people. We cannot afford to slow down the pace of vaccination. We need to generate immunity in population and we are ready to vaccinate up to 5 lakh or even 6 lakh people a day,” Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
Night curfew announced in all districts of Punjab, political rallies banned
As Covid cases continue to remain high in the State, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ordered a total ban on political gatherings till April 30 and said that violators, including political leaders, will be booked under the DMA and Epidemics Act.
The Chief Minister also announced extension of night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, which was earlier imposed in 12 districts, to the entire State and reduced the number of attendees at funerals/cremations/weddings to 50 people indoors and 100 for outdoor events. Wearing of masks has been made mandatory for all Government employees while in office.
These restrictions, coupled with the ones imposed earlier, which include closure of schools and educational institutions, shall remain effective till April 30. However, there was some respite for shop owners in malls, as the Chief Minister allowed entry of 10 people per shop at any given time, as against the earlier order of not allowing more than 100 people in a mall at one time. This would mean that 200 people will be allowed in a mall with 20 shops at any given time.
The Indian Express