India's "Oxygen Express" train made its first run on Thursday, 22 April, from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) in Visakhapatnam to Maharashtra.
Meawhile, Delhi, on Thursday, reported 306 deaths due to COVID-19 - the highest number of single day fatalities. Delhi also recorded over 26,000 cases during the same period. With this, the positivity rate has risen to 36.24 per cent.
India on Thursday, reported 3,14,835 fresh COVID-19 cases – the highest one-day spike so far and also the world’s biggest daily spike.
As many as 2,104 COVID fatalities and 1,78,841 discharges in 24 hours were recorded, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total case tally has now reached 1,59,30,965 with 22,91,428 active patients and 1,84,657 deaths. The total number of recoveries, meanwhile, stands at 1,34,54,880.
The same day, Maharashtra announced a series of stricter restrictions to combat the alarming surge in COVID cases. These curbs will come into effect from 8 pm on Thursday and will remain in force till 7 am on 1 May.
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced a lockdown in the national capital till 5 am on 26 April.
- The Centre on Monday announced that those above 18 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine from 1 May.
- Several states will offer the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost from 1 May.
- Karnataka has imposed night and weekend curfews in the entire state. The night curfew will be in force from 9 pm to 6 am till 4 May.
- Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in Rajasthan from 22 April till 21 May.
- Uttar Pradesh will see weekend lockdowns from 8 pm, Friday, to 7 am, Monday.
- In an urgent hearing, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government to ensure the supply of medical oxygen by “whatever means required”.
First 'Oxygen Express' Leaves for Maharashtra Amid Covid Surge
India's "Oxygen Express" train made its first run on Thursday, 22 April, from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) in Visakhapatnam to Maharashtra.
"Seven empty tankers from...Maharashtra reached Rashtriya Ispat Nigam, Visakhapatnam, early morning today. Liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has been filled in the tankers since morning," the railways said in a statement.
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Delhi Records Highest Number of Deaths in a Day
Delhi, on Thursday, 22 April, reported 306 deaths due to COVID-19 - the highest number of single day fatalities. Delhi also recorded over 26,000 cases during the same period. With this, the positivity rate has risen to 36.24 per cent.
Indian Army to Add 400 Beds Over Next Week at Exclusive COVID Facility in Delhi
Col Aman Anand, PRO, Indian Army, has informed ANI that the Army will add 400 beds over next one week to its exclusive COVID19 facility at Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment.
“It has created an additional 250 bedded COVID Care facility in Cantt for serving personnel,” Col Anand further said.
Only 300 Of 25,000 Police Personnel Tested Positive as All Are Vaccinated: Uttarakhand DGP
“More than 1,900 police personnel had tested positive for COVID-19 during the first wave. Now that the entire police force (25,000) has received both jabs of vaccine, only 300 have tested positive for the virus so far in the second wave,” Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar was quoted as saying by ANI.