US reported surging job growth and loosened travel curbs as it reached around half of its adult population with at least one dose, with President Joe Biden vowing to cover vast majority within weeks.
Nearly 58 million of those people are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. (File)
New Delhi:
India added 89,129 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours amid a worrying surge in Covid cases that has prompted states like Maharashtra to consider lockdown. Today’s surge is the highest since September 20 when 92,605 cases were reported.
The United States has delivered at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine to more than 100 million people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday, hitting an initial target set by the administration of President Joe Biden.
Nearly 58 million of those people are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.
As the vaccination campaign ramps up significantly in the country hardest hit by Covid-19, Biden promised last week that 90 percent of adults in America would be eligible to receive the vaccine by April 19, AFP reported.
Meanwhile, as over 12 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered till 8 pm on Friday, India’s cumulative count of vaccine doses given to date has reached 7,06,18,026, informed the Union Health Ministry.
According to a provisional report issued by the ministry, a total of 12,76,191 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm today, which mark the 77th day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination, ANI reported.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates:
With seven days to go for the high-octane Indian Premier League clash between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium, groundstaff have tested positive for coronavirus at the stadium. With cases rising in the state of Maharashtra, IPL franchises have started feeling a little wary and are keeping fingers crossed with the 14th edition of the league set to get underway from April 9. Speaking to ANI, an official of one of the franchises — currently based in Mumbai — said that it does change the situation and calls for stricter protocols.
“You do get a little concerned when you hear such things days before the start of the tournament. We have all been following protocols to the core, but obviously, when such a news comes in, it makes us a little wary. We are looking at keeping things as tight as possible. Have to be on our guard,” the official said. Read
President Ram Nath Kovind, who underwent a successful cardiac bypass surgery at Delhi’s AIIMS earlier this week, has been shifted to a special room from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, adding that his health has been improving continuously.
“President Kovind was shifted from the ICU to a special room in the AIIMS today. His health has been improving continuously. Doctors are constantly monitoring his condition and have advised him to take rest,” it tweeted.
President Kovind was shifted from the ICU to a special room in the AIIMS today. His health has been improving continuously. Doctors are constantly monitoring his condition and have advised him to take rest.
Assam minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has been given a 48-hour ban on campaigning ahead of the third and final phase of Assembly elections, which are due on Tuesday.
The Election Commission issued its order late Friday night, after it upheld a complaint by the Congress; the party said Mr Sarma had openly threatened to send Hagrama Mohilary – whose BPF (Bodoland People’s Front) is a member of the opposition alliance – to jail by misusing the NIA
The ban comes into effect from tonight, effectively means Mr Sarma – who is the BJP’s main poll strategist and has been listed as a ‘star campaigner’ – can no longer campaign in this election.
India added 89,129 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours amid a worrying surge in Covid cases that has prompted states like Maharashtra to consider lockdown. Today’s surge is the highest since September 20 when 92,605 cases were reported.
The situation is of “grave concern” in Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Haryana, the Centre said after a review meeting on Friday. These states and union territories account for 90 per cent of the cases and deaths in the country, it said.
A total of 89,129 coronavirus cases have been registered today, taking the total caseload to 1,23,92,260 infections in India.
A US Capitol police officer was killed and a second injured Friday after a vehicle rammed through security and crashed into a barrier at the Washington complex, forcing it into lockdown less than three months after a mob assault on Congress.
Capitol Police shot dead the driver after he jumped out of the car and lunged at them with a knife, Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters.
President Joe Biden, who was with First Lady Jill Biden at Camp David for the Easter holiday, offered his “heartfelt condolences” to the family of William Evans, the veteran policeman killed in the attack.
“Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the US Capitol grounds,” Biden said in a statement.
The possibility of a lockdown in Maharashtra can’t be ruled out if the surge in coronavirus cases continues, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Friday amid a fresh COVID-19 wave in the state that has seen the highest daily infections since the beginning of the pandemic in the last two weeks.
“I cannot rule out imposing a lockdown if the current COVID-19 situation prevails. People have become complacent. We are in a Catch 22 situation – should we look at economy or health?” the Chief Minister said in a televised address.
“If this condition continues, I have told you already that in 15 days we will exhaust our infrastructure. So today I am giving a warning of a lockdown. Not announcing a lockdown yet. But if I don’t find a solution in two days after speaking to more people, then I have no option,” he said.
Faced with an alarming spike in Covid cases, authorities in Maharashtra’s Pune have ordered a 12-hour night curfew starting 6 pm today for a period of at least one week, with a review of the order and coronavirus situation in the district scheduled for next Friday. Religious places, hotels and bars, shopping malls, and movie theatres will all remain closed for the next seven days, Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said Friday afternoon. Only home deliveries of food, medicines and other essential services will be allowed in this period.
Mumbai reported yet another highest spike in COVID-19 cases today, amid spiralling active infections for the last few weeks. The city today reported 8,648 cases in a 24-hour period, surpassing any previous high. 20 have died, government data shows. The state reported 47,827 cases and 202 deaths – including Mumbai – in the last 24 hours. Read Here
The positivity rate also mounted to 4.11 per cent from 3.57 per cent a day before, amid a massive surge in cases in the span of the last few weeks, PTI reported.
