COVID-19: India Reports 2.64 Lakh New Cases, Delhi Logs 24,383 Infections
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Amid the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, India reported 2,64,202 new COVID cases (6.7 percent higher than Thursday) and 1,09,345 recoveries on Friday, 14 January.
The country also recorded 315 COVID deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 4,85,350.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, 13 January, had chaired a meeting on COVID-19 with the chief ministers of all the states via video conference and had emphasised local containment, extensive vaccination, and pro-active steps in order to arrest the spread of the virus.
Delhi, on Thursday, had reported 28,867 new COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths. This was the national capital's highest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases to date.
The total active case tally has reached 12,72,073, while the daily positivity rate has risen to 14.78 percent.
The country has confirmed 5,753 cases of the Omicron variant so far.
3 crore youngsters between the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as per Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.
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5 Lakh People Watched ISKCON Celebrations Online
Over 5 lakh people watched ISKCON-Bangalore's Sri Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations online on Thursday, as the temple was closed to the public due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
The festivities were streamed live on its official website and social media platforms, ISKCON-Bangalore said.
Delhi Expected to Record 25,000 Cases: Health Minister
On Friday, the national capital is expected to record less than 25,000 cases, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain told news agency ANI.
Delhi had reported 28,867 COVID cases on Thursday.
Jain added that 75 percent of the COVID patients who had died in the recent past were unvaccinated. Further, he said, "More than 13,000 beds (88 percent) are available."
Calcutta HC Directs EC To Consider Postponing Civic Body Polls
Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal Election Commission to consider postponing the civic body polls for 4 to 6 weeks due to rising COVID cases.
The Election Commission has been asked to clear its stand within 48 hours.
'Ensure the Prohibition of Any Rallies, Dharnas': Karnataka HC
Karnataka High Court directed the state government to strictly execute the SoPs issued on 4 January in the districts of Karnataka and ensure the prohibition of any rallies, dharnas, or other political gatherings.
Madhya Pradesh Announces New Restrictions
In view of the rising cases, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday announced a bunch of additional restrictions:
All government and private schools will remain closed for students of Classes 1-12 between 15 and 31 January.
All political and religious gatherings and fairs will be banned. However, there is no ban on the Makar Sankranti 'Snan'.
No more than 250 people will be allowed at political, cultural, religious, social, or entertainment programmes.
Indoor halls will operate at 50 percent capacity.
For sports activities, stadiums will operate at 50 percent capacity.
Kerala Govt Suspends Offline Classes
The Kerala government on Friday decided to suspend offline classes for students studying in grades up to the ninth standard. The decision was made at a high-level meeting held today, as per the chief minister's office.
Health Minister Mandaviya Hails Tele-Medicine Services During COVID-19
"Tele-medicine services have been very useful in COVID. This E-Sanjeevani platform is used for teleconsultation. Lakhs of people use the platform every day to seek doctors', experts' advice. Aged people don't have to travel, can seek doctor's advice on phone," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was quoted as saying by ANI.
Delhi Logs 24,383 New COVID-19 Cases, 34 Deaths
Delhi on Friday reported 24,383 new COVID-19 cases and 34 deaths due to the viral disease. The number of active cases in the national capital stands at 92,273 while the positivity rate is 30.64 percent.
Andhra Pradesh Reports 4,528 COVID-19 Cases
Andhra Pradesh reported 4,528 new coronavirus cases on Friday. The active case in the state stand at 18,313.
Mumbai Reports 11,317 COVID-19 Cases, 9 Deaths
Mumbai on Friday reported 11,317 fresh cases and 9 deaths due to COVID-19. There are presently 84,352 active coronavirus cases in the city.
West Bengal Reports 22,645 New Cases, Positivity Rate at 31%
West Bengal registered 22,645 new COVID-19 cases and 28 deaths on Friday. The positivity rate in the state stands at 31.14 percent.
Karnataka Reports 28,723 COVID-19 Cases, 14 Deaths
Karnataka reported 28,723 new COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours. There are 1,41,337 active coronavirus cases on the state.
Maharashtra Reports 43,211 New COVID-19 Cases
Maharashtra reports 43,211 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths on Friday.
238 new Omicron cases were reported in the state on Friday.
Kerala Logs 16,338 New COVID-19 Cases
Kerala reported 16,338 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Friday.
Assam Reports 2,348 New COVID Cases
Assam reported 2,348 new COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths on Friday.
West Bengal BJP Seeks Postponement of Municipality Elections Amid COVID Outbreak
In view of surge in COVID-19 cases, West Bengal BJP wrote to the state election commissioner, requesting the postponement of the municipality elections for one month.
'Reports of COVID Death Undercount Fallacious': Centre
"There have been some media reports alleging a ‘significant undercount’ of the actual number of people who have died in India due to COVID-19 in the first two waves, claiming that the final toll may be ‘substantially greater’ crossing the figures of about three million," the Health Ministry said on Friday.
"It is clarified that such media reports are fallacious and ill-informed. They are not based on facts and are mischievous in nature. India has a very robust system of birth & death reporting which is based on a Statute and is carried out regularly from the Gram Panchayat level to the District-level and State level," it stated.
"Furthermore, there is an incentive in India to report COVID deaths as they are entitled to monetary compensation. Hence, the likelihood of underreporting is less," the ministry added.
Haryana Reports 8,841 New COVID-19 Cases
Haryana reported 8,841 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. The positivity rate for the state stands at 17.31 percent.