Coronavirus: India's death toll crosses 140; COVID-19 cases cross 4,000
The coronavirus outbreak in India seems to be accelerating as 704 positive cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day jump yet. According to the Union Health Ministry, over 4,200 cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported nationwide, including 111 deaths. However, independently, officials from different states have confirmed up to 142 deaths. Here are more details.
Health Ministry confirms 4,281 cases, 111 deaths
According to the Health Ministry website, by 6 pm on Monday, India had reported 4,281 COVID-19 cases. These include 111 deaths and 3,851 active cases along with 318 cured/discharged patients and one patient who migrated out of India. However, the total death toll is at least 142 as the Union Health Ministry has yet to update 31 deaths confirmed by several states.
Here's a breakdown of the 31 other deaths
The Maharashtra Health Department confirmed 52 deaths. Madhya Pradesh health officials confirmed 15 deaths to PTI. Telangana's bulletin confirmed 11 deaths, unchanged since April 3. Punjab Health Department confirmed seven deaths. Rajasthan witnessed six deaths, PTI reported citing officials. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh confirmed the state's sixth death on Monday. A Haryana bulletin reported two deaths: one each in Karnal and Rohtak.
53-year-old Railway technician died in Siliguri; Bengal's 8th death
Railway officials confirmed to PTI that a 53-year-old technician with no travel history died at a hospital in West Bengal's Siliguri on Sunday. Separately, PTI reported Monday the state health department had previously confirmed seven deaths, however, the state government confirmed only three.
Unknown if 2 Chandigarh deaths have been assigned to states
Further, a woman from Baddi, Himachal Pradesh died of COVID-19 at PGIMER (Chandigarh), Solan Deputy Commissioner KC Chaman told PTI Friday. A 67-year-old man from Ambala, Haryana also died due to COVID-19 at PGIMER, Ambala Chief Medical Officer told PTI Thursday. However, it remains unclear if either death has been assigned to a state since Health Ministry's website shows Chandigarh's death toll as zero.
704 new COVID-19 cases reported in past 24 hours
The Health Ministry said Monday that 704 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past 24 hours. A 44-year-old woman in Agartala tested positive for COVID-19, in what is the first such case in Tripura. The woman is from Udaipur and has foreign travel history.
63% of COVID-19 deaths were people over 60
Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said people aged over 60 accounted for 63% of COVID-19 deaths. 30% of all deaths were people in the age group of 40-60 years and only 7% of those who died were below 40, Agarwal said. Men accounted for 75% of COVID-19 cases and 73% of deaths. Notably, 86% of the deceased had comorbidities, he said.
Maharashtra reports 868 COVID-19 cases, 52 deaths
Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state. It has reported a total of 868 COVID-19 cases, with 120 fresh cases on Monday. The state has also reported 52 deaths, including 34 deaths from Mumbai alone. Mumbai has reported a total of 490 COVID-19 cases. Among those who died due to COVID-19 on Monday was a 38-year-old pregnant woman from Nalasopara.
Tea vendor near Maharashtra CM's private residence tests positive
A tea vendor near 'Matoshree', the private residence of Maharashtra Chief Minster Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra, tested positive for COVID-19. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation sprayed disinfectant in the area as a precautionary measure.
Here are some other states badly hit in the outbreak
Till Monday, Delhi had confirmed 525 COVID-19 cases and seven deaths. 329 of these cases are linked to the Tablighi Jamaat event. Andhra Pradesh confirmed 303 COVID-19 cases and three deaths. Kerala has confirmed 327 cases and two deaths. Tamil Nadu has confirmed 621 cases and six deaths. Uttar Pradesh confirmed 305 COVID-19 cases and three deaths.
News highlights from the day
The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance cutting the salaries of MPs by 30% for a year. The Cabinet approved temporary suspension of MPLAD Fund of MPs during 2020-21 and 2021-22 for managing health and the adverse impact of COVID-19. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao appealed to the Prime Minister to extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown.
Biker spit on Manipur woman in Mumbai
An unidentified biker spit on a 25-year-old Manipur woman at Santacruz in Mumbai, the police told PTI. Separately, the AIIMS Resident Doctor's Association (RDA) asked the PM to withdraw punishment meted out to doctors who took to social media for highlighting the lack of PPEs.
Politician doctors who left practice to join fight against COVID-19
According to The Hindu, trained doctors who had left their practice and turned to politics are now joining the fight against COVID-19 amid a shortage of medical staff. These include Lok Sabha MP Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Congress corporator Dr. Zishan Hussain, Bihar BJP chief and West Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal, and Nagarkurnool district Congress President Vamsi Krishna.
