Civic

Over 1.40 lakh COVID-19 cases of reported in the last 24 hours On January 8th, the country reported 1,41,986 new COVID-19 cases and 285 deaths. The Omicron tally currently stands at 3,071. Maharashtra being the worst hit with 876 Omicron cases, followed by Delhi with 513 cases. Total number of positive cases in the country have risen by 21% since January 7th, with 40,895 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The daily positivity rate is at 9.28% and rising, with wide variations among states. Experts have repeatedly emphasised that vaccinating more people with two doses and ensuring COVID appropriate behaviour…

COVID restrictions The third wave of COVID has begun in the State, and Bengaluru is the epicentre because of the international airport, said Health Minister K Sudhakar. Due to rising COVID cases, weekend curfew has been imposed for two weeks; the curfew is effective from 10 pm on Fridays to 5 am on Mondays. All flyovers will be closed during these hours. However concessions were later made to allow law firms to operate on weekends. Night curfew has been extended for two weeks, starting January 7th. However, all essential services will continue. The government also decided to shut schools and…

COVID treatment measures in place With the number of COVID-19 cases on a sharp rise, the city is now bracing for a third wave. Chennai registered 4531 fresh cases on January 7th. The state government and civic body have increased measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. Fresh restrictions such as night curfew and Sunday lockdown have been put in place. In addition to this, 42 special ambulances have been launched to ferry COVID patients to hospitals.  The civic body has hired 1000 volunteers who will assist those who are under quarantine. Screening for COVID-19 will also be increased in…

Mumbai reports 20,181 new COVID-19 cases, positivity rate at 31.7% As of January 7th, Mumbai crossed the 20,000 cases of COVID-19 mark, which was the threshold for lockdown measures, as announced by Mayor Kishori Pednekar. Health Minister Rajesh Tope said a decision on lockdown in Mumbai will be taken by the Chief Minister. The total number of fresh cases, 20,181, is a 33 per cent spike over the previous day’s figures. Although 85% of the new cases show no symptoms, 1,170 patients have been hospitalised and 106 are on oxygen support. Four deaths were also recorded. BMC has issued home…

COVID-19 cases on the uptick in Chennai COVID cases in the city doubled  between the 29th and 30th of December. Chennai saw 397 new cases on the 30th. The Union government has urged the State government to amp up the number of daily tests and ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.  Clusters of cases have emerged across the city, with two active clusters - at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and on Ashok Nagar 19th Street. Containment measures have been initiated with the street cordoned off after many positive tests. The civic body has set up three COVID care…

COVID cases surge by 45% in Mumbai. 3,555 cases, 190 omicron cases but zero deaths Daily COVID-19 cases in Mumbai rose by 45% on 30th December (3,555) in a day, though no fatalities were registered. Mumbai also reported 190 cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the highest single-day spike so far. Maharashtra's tally rose 40% to 5,368 while deaths remained steady at 22. The number of Omicron infections rose to 450. The Maharashtra government announced fresh restrictions with weddings, social, political, and religious events limited to 50 persons, and funerals to 20 persons. Source: The Times of India,…

As 2021 drew to a close, Chennai appeared to be reliving the dominant highlights of the year that just passed us by – rains and COVID-19 (in its new manifestation through the Omicron variant). Just as Chennai was recovering from the extreme rainfall that lashed the city in November, the city was taken by surprise as another very heavy spell of rain on December 30th brought it to a standstill. On the other hand, the city is also witnessing a rise in COVID cases yet again, with 397 cases being reported on December 30th alone. The Government of Tamil Nadu…

Vaccination for children, booster dose for seniors to start in January In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced vaccination for children aged between 15-18 which will begin on January 3rd 2022. He also added that healthcare workers, those aged above 60, and those with co-morbidities, will be allowed a third (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccination from January 10th. The Prime Minister added that currently 90% of all those eligible for vaccines have had the first dose and 61% of eligible people has had both doses. Source: Economic Times Delhi's Sarojini Nagar market to follow odd-even…

10 new Omicron cases With 10 new Omicron cases from Bengaluru, the State's tally of the variant has come up to 31. Among the Bengaluru patients, five had travel history to the United Kingdom, one had returned from Denmark, and another person from Nigeria. The three others from Bengaluru did not have a travel history, and their contact with an international traveller is being looked into. On Thursday, Bengaluru Urban reported 210 COVID cases and one death. On Wednesday, the government directed health officials, deputy commissioners and district surveillance officials to track, trace and quarantine primary and secondary contacts of COVID patients.…

BMC issues fresh guidelines to curb Omicron wave As Maharashtra logs 23 new cases of Omicron, Mumbai authorities are on high alert for the impending Omicron wave that, man fear, could be accelerated by the holiday season. New guidelines impose restrictions on large gatherings. For gatherings up to 200 people, permissions from ward committees are necessary. Restaurants and bars are to operate at 50% capacity if in an enclosed area, and at 25% if open air. Violators will be punished under sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Disaster Management Act, 2005. Source: Indian Express, DNA Railways to go…