India surges past 3,000 COVID-19 cases on Day 11 of lockdown, toll 75
India’s coronavirus count surpassed the 3,000-mark on Saturday after more than 600 cases were reported in the last 24 hours across the country. The deaths toll, meanwhile, has risen to 75, according to the latest updates.
India’s coronavirus count surpassed the 3,000-mark on Saturday (April 4) after more than 600 cases were reported in the last 24 hours across the country. The deaths toll, meanwhile, has risen to 75, according to the latest updates. However, there has been a lag in the health ministry figures, compared to the aggregate of numbers announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays.
Here are the latest updates from the day:
3,072 cases, 75 deaths: India reported 601 cases within 24 hours between Friday and Saturday, the highest for such a period in the country so far. The health ministry’s evening update has put the total number of those having tested positive so far at 3,072 nationwide with 75 deaths. However, a PTI tally showed at least 96 deaths and a total of 3,473 cases as on Saturday late evening.
1,023 cases linked to Jamaat: The government said at least 1,023 cases, or 30 per cent, of the infection have been found to be linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the national capital last month, but massive efforts by various authorities have led to nearly 22,000 people linked to the religious grouping and their primary contacts getting quarantined.
9 PM, 9 minutes: Officials have asked people to refrain from using alcohol-based hand sanitisers while lighting lamps on Sunday night, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made an appeal to show solidarity in the fight against COVID-19. They said apprehensions about a possible grid collapse due to collecting switching off of lights at that time was misplaced.
Phased resumption of trains: All 17 railway zones and divisions are preparing plans to identity trains for phased resumption of operations from April 15, said PTI quoting sources. Passenger services were suspended from March 25 for 21 days due to the national lockdown. A Railways official, however, said no final decision has been taken on the restoration of passenger train services.
Testing capacity ramped up: The health ministry said the testing capacity has been ramped up significantly to over 10,000 tests per day to detect the deadly coronavirus infection, as it emphasised on continuous compliance to lockdown and social distancing measures, along with personal and environmental hygiene, to win the battle against the disease.
211 districts affected: The health ministry said 211 districts in India are now reporting COVID-19 cases, posing a high risk of further spread of the deadly virus unless it is contained. Data shared by officials showed an average of one in 25 people tested for the infection have found to be a positive case, while mortality rate among those testing positive appeared even less, at one in 30.
Maharashtra tops in tally: Maharashtra has reported at least 26 deaths so far, the highest in the country, while 11 have lost lives in Telangana and 10 each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. In terms of confirmed cases also, Maharashtra tops the tally with at least 547 cases, while Tamil Nadu and Delhi have reported over 400 cases and Kerala has more than 300 cases.
Free COVID-19 testing: The government has announced COVID-19 testing and treatment would be provided free of cost for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries at private laboratories and empanelled hospitals. On the recent advisory about use of home-made face covers, the health ministry officials said it was only for conveying the message of personal hygiene measures.
FIFA Women’s WC postponed: The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which was scheduled to be held in India in November, has been postponed due to the worsening COVID-19 situation. The women’s age group showpiece was to be held at five venues in the country from November 2-21.
Global toll crosses 60,000: Globally, more than 11 lakh people have tested positive so far since the outbreak of this deadly virus in December last, which has left over 60,000 dead. The US alone has seen over 2.7 lakh confirmed cases while it recorded nearly 1,500 deaths within 24 hours between Thursday and Friday. Italy has recorded the maximum deaths at nearly 15,000.
