Maharashtra makes negative COVID report mandatory for people from Delhi, 5 states

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi giving suggestions to tackle the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country.

PTI photo

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed multiple rallies in West Bengal ahead of the next phase of assembly polls in the state. The fifth phase of the Assembly elections in the state saw a good turnout and few instances of violence during the polling. The Home Minister attended two events and held two roadshows in West Bengal at 11 am today.

Asserting that the BJP wants to change the model of 'Bomb, Bandook aur Barood' in the poll-bound West Bengal to 'Vishwas, Vikaas aur Vyapaar', Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah expressed confidence in his party outperforming the TMC in the elections, stating that with 122 seats his party is much ahead of 'Mamata didi'.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi giving suggestions to tackle the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar today underlined the need for more stringent action in Bengaluru in view of rising coronavirus cases leading to speculations about lockdown in the coming days.

The administration in Indore in Madhya Pradesh refused to grant permission for marriage functions, the 'muhurat' for which begins from Monday as per the Hindu 'panchang' (religious calendar), in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

This is all for the day. Thank you for staying with Zee News for latest updates from across the country. Do come back on Monday (April 19) for more updates.

19 April 2021

00:07 IST

Maharashtra government declares Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi-NCR and Uttarakhand as 'Places of Sensitive Origin', passengers travelling from these places will need negative RT-PCR test report within 48 hours of the travel to enter Maharashtra.

Maharashtra govt declares Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, & Uttarakhand as 'Places of Sensitive Origin'; passengers travelling from these places will need negative RT-PCR test report within 48 hours of the travel to enter Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/m8zNug4yRE

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021

21:00 IST

Except for 9 sectors, supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by manufacturers and suppliers will be prohibited from April 22 as a temporary measure. This has been done to ensure adequate supply of oxygen to hospitals. Before COVID pandemic hit India, our daily medical oxygen consumption was around 1000-1200 metric tonnes. But on April 15, 4,795 metric tonnes of medical oxygen was used in the country. We've increased production capacity in last one year: Union Minister Piyush Goyal

20:59 IST

After an elaborate meeting with 12 states, Central govt did mapping along with state governments on various requirements. 6177 metric tonnes of oxygen has been finalized to be distributed to states. Maharashtra to get the biggest share of 1500 metric tonnes of oxygen, Delhi to get 350 metric tonnes and Uttar Pradesh to get 800 metric tonnes: Union Minister Piyush Goyal

20:59 IST

Breaking: Former Assam CM Bhumidhar Barman dies aged 91

20:58 IST

Fresh restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir: 

All universities and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir shall remain closed for imparting on-campus/in-person education to the students till 15 May, except for courses/programs that require physical presence of students on account of laboratory/research/thesis work and internship etc: Office of LG

All Schools in Jammu & Kashmi shall continue to remain closed for imparting on-campus/in-person education to the students till May 15.

The ceiling on the number of people permitted to attend gatherings/functions shall be 20 in case of funerals; 50 for all kinds of gatherings at indoor venues and 100 for all kinds of gatherings at outdoor venues.

20:57 IST

Department for Promotion of Industry&Internal Trade has conveyed that this has already reached about 60 percent of the total daily Oxygen production, and is expected to rise further. There have been reports of shortage of medical oxygen from some States and UTs: Govt of India

Requirement for Medical Oxygen is a critical component in the treatment of COVID affected patients. In view of the recent surge of COVID19 cases, the requirement of oxygen for effective clinical treatment of COVID patients has also witnessed a manifold hike: Govt of India

20:56 IST

Govt bans oxygen supply for industrial purpose, to be given for medical use:

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla writes to all Chief Secretaries asking them to take all measures to prohibit supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla writes to all Chief Secretaries asking them to take all measures to prohibit supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted. pic.twitter.com/RbQsaNmdNW

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021

19:50 IST

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal writes to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal for more Oxygen supply

19:50 IST

Gujarat records 10,340 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, more than 110 patients died whereas 3,981 patients recovered

19:32 IST

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visits COVID center at Commonwealth Games Village. He says, "800 oxygen beds are being set up at Yamuna Sports Complex, 500 oxygen beds here & more at other locations. I hope by day after tomorrow additional 1400-2000 beds will be functional."

19:01 IST

Bihar announces night curfew, CM Nitish Kumar releases fresh restrictions

Night curfew, from 9 pm to 5 am, will remain in place across Bihar. All shops selling vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat will be closed by 6 pm. Restaurants and dhabas to be operational for home delivery and take away services till 9 pm. 

Schools, colleges and other educational institutes will remain closed and no examination will be held by state-run schools & universities till May 15. Cinema halls, malls, clubs, gyms, & parks will be closed till May 15, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

19:00 IST

Chandigarh reports 625 new COVID-19 positive cases, taking the total number of cases to 33,934.

19:00 IST

Uttarakhand reports 2630 new #COVID19 cases including 1281 cases in Dehradun and 572 cases in Haridwar; taking the total number of cases to 124033.

19:00 IST

Tamil Nadu imposes night curfew, postpones class 12 board exams 

Tamil Nadu govt imposes statewide night curfew (10 pm to 4 am) beginning April 20; bans inter & intra-state travel during night curfew; full lockdown to be imposed on Sundays across the state. Class 12th board exams also postponed.

18:58 IST

1526 new positive cases or coronavirus reported in Jammu and Kashmir. 547 cases are from Jammu Division and 979 from Kashmir Division. Moreover, 963 more COVID-19 patients have recovered, which includes 541 from Jammu Division and 422 from Kashmir Division. Six COVID-19 fatalities from the region. 

18:51 IST

Maharashtra: Nagpur district reports 7107 new #COVID19 cases, 3987 recoveries, and 85 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Civil Surgeon, Nagpur. Total cases: 3,23,106 Total recoveries: 2,47,590 Active cases: 69,243 Death toll: 6273

18:29 IST

Goa detects 951 cases of COVID-19 in last 24 hours

18:26 IST

Kerala reports 18,257 cases of COVID-19 in last 24 hours. Karnataka records 19,067 fresh cases of COVID-19.

18:17 IST

Empty tankers to start journey from Maharashtra on Monday to pick up oxygen from Vizag, Jamshedpur, Rourkela, Bokaro: Railways

18:17 IST

15-year-old girl allegedly kills herself at her residence in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district after her mother scolds her for playing game on her mobile phone and also for watching TV: Police

18:16 IST

Railway Board accepts a request by Maharashtra government for transportation of liquid medical oxygen on cryogenic tankers.

18:11 IST

Outsiders from Delhi, Gujarat are bringing COVID-19 in Bengal: Mamata Banerjee says during public rally 

17:40 IST

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi requesting supply of 5.4 crores more vaccine doses, steady supply of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab medicines & supply of oxygen as soon as possible.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi requesting supply of 5.4 crores more vaccine doses, steady supply of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab medicines & supply of oxygen as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/mHYnjTn73x

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021

17:39 IST

Madhya Pradesh Horror: 

A ward boy allegedly tried to rape a COVID patient at a hotel that has been turned into a COVID treatment facility in Gwalior on April 17 night. "The accused has been arrested," says Hitika Vasal, Additional SP, Gwalior.

17:39 IST

Ghaziabad: Locals in Ashok Vihar, Loni allegedly pelted stones at police personnel when they tried to take custody of 3 women held hostage by them on suspicion of child lifting today. "The women are being questioned. Action will be taken against the attackers," says SP (Rural)

Ghaziabad: Locals in Ashok Vihar, Loni allegedly pelted stones at police personnel when they tried to take custody of 3 women held hostage by them on suspicion of child lifting today.

"The women are being questioned. Action will be taken against the attackers," says SP (Rural) pic.twitter.com/UYu4tZFxmo

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2021

17:38 IST

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain visited Sardar Patel COVID Care Centre and Hospital, Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Chhatarpur. 500 beds will be functional by day after tomorrow and 5000 beds will be foundational in the next few days: Delhi Deputy CM

17:30 IST

Rajasthan records 10,514 fresh cases of COVID-19, 42 more deaths in last 24 hours. 

17:29 IST

West Bengal: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Habra. The state reported 7,713 fresh COVID19 cases and 34 deaths on April 17. Video:

#WATCH | West Bengal: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Habra.

The state reported 7,713 fresh COVID19 cases and 34 deaths yesterday. pic.twitter.com/PMWR6KE5PY

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021

17:03 IST

Mamata Banerjee addresses a rally at Barrackpore: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should resign owning responsibility for the COVID-19 spike, lack of planning on his part. BJP leaders 'from Delhi' who are bringing 'outsiders' for campaigning without COVID-19 tests are responsible for spike in coronavirus cases in state.

16:42 IST

Delhi registers FIR against 4 airlines

Arvind Kejriwal led government in Delhi registers FIR against 4 airlines - Indigo, Vistara, Spice Jet and Air Asia for not checking RT-PCR negative reports of people coming from Maharashtra. The FIR has been lodged under the DDMA Act.

15:34 IST

Ex-PM Manmohan Singh writes to PM Modi on COVID-19 vaccine distribution 

Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh writes PM Narendra Modi, "The key to our fight against COVID19 must be ramping up the vaccination effort. We must resist the temptation to look at the absolute numbers being vaccinated, and focus instead on the percentage of the population vaccinated."

Centre should tell COVID vaccine orders placed for next six months and how vaccines will be distributed to states: Manmohan Singh to PM

Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh writes PM Narendra Modi, "The key to our fight against COVID19 must be ramping up the vaccination effort. We must resist the temptation to look at the absolute numbers being vaccinated, and focus instead on the percentage of the population vaccinated" pic.twitter.com/OiDXnngIJ8

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021

15:28 IST

Delhi govt cracks down on 2 private hospitals

Delhi government to register FIR against two private hospitals for inaccurate data regarding beds on Corona app. The Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi is planning to take action aginst the hospitals under the DDMA Act. The 2 private hospitals in Delhi are accused of giving beds to those who could afford more money, say sources.

15:20 IST

Delhi government requests Railways to arrange COVID beds at Anand Vihar and Shakur Basti railway station with logistical support, medical staff and oxygen facilities on emergent basis and identify more facilities up to the level of 5,000 beds as was done last year.

15:20 IST

Maharashtra: Two people arrested for issuing fake Covid RT-PCR reports in Pune. We had received a complaint from a Covid lab under whose name the accused were issuing reports. Further investigation is on, says Murlidhar Karpe, Senior inspector Deccan Gymkhana police station

15:20 IST

Kerala: Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has postponed all university examinations scheduled to be held from April 19.

13:20 IST

The dedicated hospital wards/blocks have to be equipped with supportive/ancillary services including oxygen supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, specialised CCUs (wherever available), lab/imaging services, kitchen etc., with dedicated health workforce: Union Health Ministry.

13:19 IST

Government of India has written to all Central Ministries & public sector companies (PSUs) under them to dedicate their hospital beds for COVID-19 Management in States/UTs: Union Health Ministry

13:18 IST

It is clear that BJP with 122 seats is way ahead of Mamata didi. We want to change the model of ‘Bum, Bandook or Barood’ with ‘Vishwas, Vikaas or Vyapaar’: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Purba Bardhaman.

11:37 IST

Govt is working on scaling up Remdesivir production & its price reduction. 1.5 lakh vials/day being produced and will be doubled up to 3 lakh vials/day in 15 days. 20 more plants approved for production in addition to existing 20: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

10:17 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting at 11 am to review the COVID-19 situation in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The meeting will be attended by top officials, local administration and doctors who are involved in fighting COVID in Varanasi: Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

09:29 IST

India reports 2,61,500 new COVID-19 cases, 1,501 fatalities and 1,38,423 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.

Total cases: 1,47,88,109
Active cases: 18,01,316
Total recoveries: 1,28,09,643
Death toll: 1,77,150

Total vaccination: 12,26,22,590

09:29 IST

As many as 26,65,38,416 samples were tested up till April 17 in the country, including 15,66,394 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research.

08:39 IST

Uttar Pradesh: The state observes Sunday lockdown due to spurt in COVID-19 cases.

Streets wear deserted look in Lucknow as Uttar Pradesh observes Sunday lockdown amid surge in #COVID19 cases

Visuals from Hazratganj and Vidhan Sabha Marg pic.twitter.com/zTVbexhraO

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2021

उत्तर प्रदेश: एक दिन के लॉकडाउन के दौरान मुरादाबाद में लोग जरूरी सामान लेने के लिए अपने घरों से बाहर निकले।

प्रदेश में कोरोना के बढ़ते मामलों को देखते हुए उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार ने रविवार को लॉकडाउन लागू किया है। #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/RHEt26wBRs

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) April 18, 2021

08:38 IST

West Bengal: PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address rallies today in the districts going to polls soon. 

08:35 IST

Delhi: Weekend lockdown to curb COVID-19 cases in the national capital, to continue till Monday morning (5 am).

Delhi: Police check vehicular movement during ongoing Covid-induced weekend lockdown in the national capital.

Visuals from Connaught Place. pic.twitter.com/sxDCVxIkNJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021

#COVID19 | Weekend lockdown imposed in the national capital, to continue till tomorrow morning (5 am)

Visuals from INA and Central Delhi pic.twitter.com/pQaU3unu9a

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2021