New Delhi: In the last 24 hours, India has recorded 3,68,147 new COVID cases, taking the cumulative tally to 1,99,25,604. As many as 3,417 new coronavirus-related fatalities were also recorded, taking the nationwide death toll to 218,959. Nearly 700 of these came from Maharashtra, 400 from Delhi, and about 300 from Uttar Pradesh.
The Supreme Court of India has told the GoI to make sure the deficit of oxygen supply in Delhi is rectified by midnight. Shortage of medical oxygen has worsened the Covid crisis in the national capital with hospitals sending desperate appeals – on social media – nearly every day.
“We would seriously urge the Central and State governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. They may also consider imposing a lockdown to curb the virus in the second wave in the interest of public welfare,” the top court said on Sunday.
Haryana, Punjab and Odisha on Sunday announced fresh restrictions to check Covid spread. A strict one-week lockdown has been announced in Haryana while Odisha has announced a two-week lockdown.
Punjab has said a Covid negative report will be necessary for those entering the state via air, rail or road. Cinema halls, bars and gymnasiums are to be shut and no dine-in is allowed in restaurants.
AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria, while speaking to NDTV on Saturday, said India’s healthcare system is “stretched to the limit” and “aggressive lockdowns” – like the one imposed in March last year – in areas with positivity rates over 10 per cent are needed to contain the second COVID wave.
India’s positivity rate, the percentage of people who test positive out of all of the tests done, stood at 24.46 per cent this morning.
The second wave has burdened the healthcare system. In April, India recorded 66 lakh fresh cases, much higher than 10.25 lakh cases recorded in March, 3.5 lakh cases recorded in February and 4.79 lakh cases recorded in January. Over 45,000 people died in April alone across the country due to Covid as compared to 5,417 deaths in March.
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