Coronavirus in India April 17 Highlights: PM Modi says Kumbh ‘should now only be symbolic’; Congress holds digital assembly to debate Covid-19 state of affairs

India on Saturday reported 2,34,692 new Covid-19 circumstances and 1,341 deaths within the final 24 hours, in response to information from the Union Health Ministry. The complete variety of circumstances within the nation now stands at 1,45,26,609.
There are actually 16,79,740 energetic circumstances whereas 1,26,71,220 folks have recovered from the illness. The general loss of life toll has reached 1,75,649. As many as 11,99,37,641 folks have been vaccinated thus far.
Meanwhile, the world’s Covid-19 loss of life toll is approaching one other grim milestone — almost three million folks have died from the virus for the reason that first circumstances surfaced greater than 14 months in the past. The international loss of life toll stands at 2,990,993, whereas the variety of confirmed coronavirus circumstances has surged to almost 140 million, in response to a New York Times database, as international locations race to offer sufficient vaccines to gradual the relentless tempo of infections.

The tempo of deaths has been accelerating. The world didn’t file a million deaths till September 28, however had recorded two million by February 21, lower than 5 months later. And the most recent million took lower than two months. The United States, Brazil and Mexico lead the world in Covid-19 deaths.
People buy oxygen cylinders for house quarantined Covid-19 sufferers from medical oxygen suppliers in Lucknow on Friday. (Express picture by Vishal Srivastav)
Amid Covid-19 surge, PM Modi says Kumbh ought to now be solely ‘symbolic’
Amid nationwide concern over the massive gatherings seen throughout the Kumbh Mela, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday mentioned that the mela ought to now be solely “symbolic” as it is going to assist strengthen the nation’s combat towards the coronavirus pandemic.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister mentioned he spoke to high seer, Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha president Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, over the cellphone and made an enchantment in regards to the non secular gathering that has thus far attracted lakhs of devotees. Modi additionally enquired in regards to the well being of saints, lots of whom have contracted the an infection, and conveyed his appreciation for his or her cooperation with the native administration.
Congress high brass meets just about to debate Covid-19 state of affairs 
At a digital assembly to debate the Covid-19 state of affairs within the nation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Saturday mentioned the Indian National Congress has all the time believed that preventing the Covid-19 pandemic is a nationwide problem that must be stored above get together politics. “We have extended our hands of cooperation right from February-March, 2020.”
“We can not, nevertheless, lose sight of the truth that the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the nation with fury. Despite a 12 months to arrange, we now have, regrettably, been caught off guard once more, mentioned Gandhi.

The Congress president mentioned it’s deeply regarding to learn information experiences of acute shortages of medical tools and hospital beds. “Families are being torn apart, lives and livelihoods have been lost and entire life savings depleted on healthcare. It is deeply concerning to read news reports of acute shortages of medical equipment and hospital beds. Reports from across the country speak of the scarcity of Covid-19 vaccine as also of important life saving drugs including Remdesivir in different parts of the country.”
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) assembly, chaired by Gandhi, was attended by former get together chief Rahul Gandhi, normal secretaries, different everlasting invitees and state in-charges of the get together. The committee mentioned the present Covid-19 state of affairs within the nation and steps that must be taken urgently to examine the additional unfold of the virus.
Delhi: Weekend curfew kicks in, Kejriwal to carry evaluation assembly at the moment
Weekend curfew got here into drive in Delhi on Saturday with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interesting to folks to observe guidelines. “Delhi is under curfew today and tomorrow because of Corona. Please follow it. We have to defeat Corona together,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Weekend curfew got here into drive in Delhi on Saturday with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interesting to folks to observe guidelines. The curfew was introduced after Delhi witnessed its highest weekly case depend and loss of life toll. Between April 9 and April 16, over 97,000 folks have examined constructive for Covid-19 and 600 have died. On Friday, 19,486 folks had contracted the virus 141 died of it – the best so far.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will maintain a evaluation assembly with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia at the moment afternoon, who can also be the nodal minister for Covid-19 response in Delhi, and Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
Short of plasma, PCMC to supply Covid-19 survivors Rs 2,000 to donors
Plasma donation in Pune (Express picture by Arul Horizon)
With demand for convalescent plasma on the rise for Covid-19 sufferers, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has determined to offer Rs 2,000 to every donor. The BJP, which governs the PCMC, mentioned the transfer was geared toward encouraging extra donors to return ahead and donate their plasma. At the identical time, it has additionally been determined to offer free plasma baggage to personal hospitals.
“Plasma therapy is proving to be a boon for Covid-19 patients. However, not many patients who have recovered from the virus are coming forward and donating their plasma. Because of this, we have decided to give Rs 2,000 to each donor who steps forward and donates his plasma,” Mayor Usha Dhore informed The Indian Express on Saturday.
Telangana’s second Covid-19 wave sees circumstances spike in older populations
Telangana recorded a brand new highest-ever spike within the day by day common of contemporary coronavirus infections on Thursday when 3,840 energetic sufferers had been added to the cumulative caseload. At the height of the pandemic final 12 months, the state had reported 3,018 new circumstances on August 25.
Even because the variety of day by day infections has already breached the 3000-mark thrice this month, the well being division has warned of a fast rise within the caseload for the following 4 to 6 weeks within the state.
As the state grapples with the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, a brand new development is seen within the day by day bulletins during the last three months. A take a look at the information issued by the Directorate of Public Health and Family Welfare on February 15, March 15, and April 16 — three dates when the brand new infections had been 99, 157, and three,840, respectively, reveals a drop within the share of publicity to the virus within the age group 21-30 years, and 31-40 years. This is not like final 12 months when most circumstances had been reported in these age teams.
HD Kumaraswamy assessments constructive for Covid-19
Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy Saturday examined constructive for Covid-19. “I have tested positive for COVID-19. I request everyone who came in close contact with me over the last few days to isolate themselves and get tested,” he mentioned in a tweet.