Coronavirus News Highlights: Over 60% spike — Delhi reports 1,009 new COVID-19 cases

Top scientist believes surge in COVID-19 cases will not lead to fourth wave (ANI)

At least 96 per cent children in the age group of 15-17 years and 76 per cent of those aged 12 to 14 in the national capital have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Delhi government officials.

According to the presentation made by the government in a Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting on Wednesday, a total of 3.29 crore doses have been administered in the city till April 19 . | READ MORE

In view of a spike in coronavirus cases in the national capital, the Delhi government on Wednesday decided to make the wearing of masks mandatory again in public places and impose a fine of Rs 500 in case of a violation.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which also decided not to shut schools and come up with separate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with experts for them. | READ MORE

Delhi logged 1,009 fresh Covid cases on Wednesday, a 60 per cent jump from a day ago, with the city government making the wearing of masks in public places mandatory again and announcing a Rs 500 fine on violators.

This was the maximum number of cases recorded in Delhi since February 10 when 1,104 infections were reported. | READ MORE

Karnataka reports 61 fresh COVID-19 cases, 49 recoveries, and zero deaths, in the last 24 hours.

Active cases 1,499

Positivity rate 0.62% (ANI)

COVID19 | Maharashtra reports 162 new cases today; Active caseload stands at 690 including 415 cases in Mumbai (ANI)

Delhi records 1,009 fresh Covid cases, 60 pc more than Tuesday, and 1 death; positivity rate 5.70 pc: Health Bulletin

A fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on violators for not wearing masks in Delhi: Sources (ANI)

Delhi reports 1,009 fresh #covid19 cases, 314 recoveries, and 1 death in the last 24 hours. Active cases 2,641 Positivity rate 5.70% (ANI)

The entire Delhi Capitals contingent underwent two rounds of COVID testing today. Today's match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings is to be held at Brabourne. CCI-IPL will go ahead as per the schedule after the second round of COVID tests returned negative today. (ANI)

LG Delhi Anil Baijal chairs the 36th meeting of DDMA to review the COVID-19 situation in Delhi. It was decided to make the wearing of masks mandatory in public places, he says. It was also emphasised that in consultation with experts standard operating procedures for prevention and management of Covid-19 should be laid down for schools and their strict enforcement by school management should be ensured. In the larger interest of students, in case of non-compliance or violation of SOPs penalty as deemed appropriate should be imposed for creating a deterrent effect: Delhi LG Anil Baijal (ANI)

India's effective reproduction number (R) for Covid, indicator of how quickly infection is spreading, crosses 1 for first time since January, estimates researcher from Chennai's Institute of Mathematical Sciences (PTI)

India's effective reproduction number (R) for Covid, an indicator of how quickly the infection is spreading, has increased to over one for the first time since January, estimates a researcher from Chennai's Institute of Mathematical Sciences. – PTI

I've held a detailed review of COVID19 situation in the state. There is no need to worry as there has not been a significant rise in cases. The situation is completely under control. We are vaccinating those in the 12-15 & 15-18 age groups: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Following a recent spurt in coronavirus cases, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed the officials to maintain utmost vigil on the health of children, especially in the NCR districts, and to create awareness about COVID-19 protocol in schools. PTI

Puducherry continued to report zero daily cases of COVID-19 as no new infection was detected in the union territory on Wednesday. PTI

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority is a critical meeting amid the fresh Covid surge in the national Capital has ordered to bring back the mask mandate. Not wearing face mask in public places would attract a fine of Rs 500, latest reports say

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised to parliament after he was fined by police for breaking lockdown rules, saying he did not know a birthday gathering at the height of the pandemic was in breach of the rules he had set. – Reuters

Taiwan firms making chip and electronic components reported a mixed picture on Wednesday on work resumption in the eastern Chinese city of Kunshan after COVID-19 curbs, with some warning deliveries would be postponed until next month. China has put Shanghai under a tight lockdown since late March and neighbouring Kunshan has also tightened curbs to control the country's biggest COVID-19 outbreak since the coronavirus was discovered in late 2019 in the city of Wuhan. – Reuters

The death toll across India climbed to 5,22,006 with 40 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. – PTI

A health official says 4 million more people in Shanghai have been allowed to leave their homes as anti-coronavirus quarantine rules ease. Authorities imposed rules that confined most of Shanghai's 25 million people to their homes starting March 28 following a surge in infections. – AP

Countries putting emphasis on traditional herbal systems to fight COVID-19 pandemic: PM Modi (ANI)

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram on the increasing positivity rate and cases (ANI)

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot expresses concern over reports of rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of country, including Delhi, says extra precautions need to be taken (PTI)

When pandemic came, we realised that the best multiplier that we'll have for economic recovery would be to spend money on building infrastructure. So, capital expenditure was our route to recovery…Now we're in the process of setting up digital banks, not one but 75 this year: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at an event by Atlantic Council in Washington, DC (ANI)

When pandemic came, we realised that the best multiplier that we'll have for economic recovery would be to spend money on building infrastructure. So, capital expenditure was our route to recovery…Now we're in the process of setting up digital banks, not one but 75 this year: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at an event by Atlantic Council in Washington, DC (ANI)

Delhi reports 632 fresh COVID-19 cases, 414 recoveries, and zero deaths in the last 24 hours.

Active cases 1,274

Positivity rate 4.42% (ANI)

The one big step that the govt decided was we shall not tax people to get out of the pandemic. Our revenue to rescue the economy was not going to come from taxing people. No 'COVID tax' was levied on anybody: FM Nirmala Sitharaman at an event by Atlantic Council in Washington, DC (ANI)

Necessary measures will be taken to check the rise of covid cases: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami