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India records 10,542 new Covid-19 cases, active tally at 63,562
India has logged 10,542 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 63,562, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. According to news agency PTI, the death toll has increased to 5,31,190 with 38 deaths, which includes 11 reconciled by Kerala, the data stated. The Covid-19 case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,48,45,401). The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.39 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 5.1 per cent. The active cases now comprise 0.14 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.67 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,42,50,649, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. Also Read: Covid patients more at risk of hospital-associated infections: Study According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 949 fresh coronavirus cases, while six more patients succumbed to the infection in the state, the state health department said. With these additions, the state's overall Covid-19 tally rose to 81,57,293, while the death toll increased to 1,48,485, the department said in a bulletin. The bulletin said at present the XBB.1.16 variant of Omicron is the dominant strain in the state. The number of patients detected with this variant stood at 681, while four deaths linked to the strain have been reported in the state. The health bulletin said since January 1 this year, the state has recorded 68 Covid-19 deaths and 73.53 per cent of these fatalities have occurred in patients above 60 years of age. It said 57 of the deceased had comorbidities, while 9 per cent did not have any additional illness. Data was not available for 34 per cent of the deceased, said the deparment. Mumbai recorded 220 cases and zero fatality. Pune recorded two fatalities linked to the respiratory illness, while Kolhapur, Satara, Yavatmal and Solapur registered one death each, said the bulletin. The state's case fatality rate was 1.82 per cent, while the recovery rate stood at 98.10 per cent. The bulletin said 912 patients recovered from the coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative recoveries to 80,02,690 and leaving the state with 6,118 active cases. Of the total active cases, 292 patients have been hospitalised and 44 of them are in Intensive Care Unit, it said. The health bulletin said 15,313 coronavirus tests were conducted in the state in the last 24 hours, pushing up their cumulative count to 8,68,16,941.
19 April,2023 10:19 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
India records 9,111 new Covid-19 cases, active tally at 60,313
India recorded 9,111 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 60,313, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. According to news agency PTI, the death toll increased to 5,31,141 with 27 deaths. While six deaths were reported from Gujarat, four were from Uttar Pradesh, three each from Delhi and Rajasthan, two from Maharashtra, one each from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and three reconciled by Kerala, the data stated. The Covid-19 case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,48,27,226). The daily positivity was recorded at 8.40 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 4.94 per cent. The active cases now comprise 0.13 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.68 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,42,35,772 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. Also Read: Covid patients more at risk of hospital-associated infections: Study According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 650 fresh coronavirus infections and two fatalities, taking the tally of cases to 81,55,839 and the toll to 1,48,479, the state health department said. Mumbai recorded 182 fresh cases. The two fresh fatalities in the state were reported from Mumbai city and Thane city. The case fatality rate in the state now stands at 1.82 per cent. With 779 patients recovering, the count of recoveries in Maharashtra rose to 80,01,444. Maharashtra's recovery rate is 98.11 per cent. The state is now left with 5,916 active cases. Since January 1, there have been 62 deaths due to Covid-19 in Maharashtra and 70.97 per cent of the deceased were above 60 years. Of the total number of deceased persons, 58 per cent had comorbidity while 10 per cent had no comorbidity. The data of 32 per cent of patients is still not available with the state health department, the bulletin said. The health department also said 12,334 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in Maharashtra, which increased the total number of tests to 8,67,92,012.
17 April,2023 10:20 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai: BMC to finally revamp Vikhroli hospital
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally decided to pay R13.23 crore to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for land for a hospital at Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli East. The civic body has decided to redevelop the 100-bed Krantiveer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Hospital into a 500-bed super-speciality hospital. A BMC official told mid-day, “We received a letter from MHADA in March. They are demanding Rs 13.23 crore to grant a no-objection certificate to allow redevelopment. This includes the cost of land and other fees. We have decided to pay. The process will be completed soon. mid-day has often highlighted the issue of delay in hospital redevelopment. Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar stated, “We have decided to redevelop the hospital. The process is unfolding.” Also Read: Maharashtra: For the first time, Rashmi Thackeray to attend women’s wing meet Another official, meanwhile, said, “We have decided to use MHADA land that is adjacent to the existing hospital building at Kannamwar Nagar.” The BMC closed the 100-bed hospital in 2018 as the building had been declared dilapidated. The facility was shifted to a maternity home in Tagore Nagar. However, it wasn’t operating at full capacity. In September 2022, Kannamwwar Nagar locals held a hunger strike over the lack of a hospital. At the time, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered the BMC to settle the dispute over the land for the hospital and start construction of the facility immediately. Initially, a 100-bed hospital was to be built at the site. But the BMC later decided to set up a 500-bed super-speciality hospital instead. “After the BMC makes the payment for the plot to the MHADA, the next process will start. We will prepare the plan and then start the tender process,’ an official stated. Dr Yogesh Bhalerao, a member of Amhi Vikhrolikar, the group which carried out the hunger strike, said the hospital could not be redeveloped in five years. “The BMC should complete all the administrative processes and start the redevelopment work soon,” he said.
17 April,2023 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
Mumbai: Number of pregnant women with COVID-19 rising
In the past two weeks, more than nine pregnant women have tested positive for COVID-19. The state government has reserved beds for soon-to-be mothers with COVID-19 at Cama & Albless Hospital, dedicated for women. The hospital is already testing and treating patients. “I had a mild fever for two days. I was okay, but my husband and I were worried about our child. We came to Cama hospital. The staff immediately admitted me and a swab sample was taken. I tested positive. I was not surprised as I was aware of the symptoms. I’ve recovered now and have been discharged from the hospital,” said 32-year-old Sweta Kirloskar, a Colaba resident (named changed) who is six months pregnant. As per experts, women should not overlook symptoms such as a mild fever, and get tested as early detection and treatment help curb the severity of the disease.Dr Tushar Palve, medical superintendent, Cama & Albless Hospital, said, “In the past 10 days, six pregnant women have tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital. Two of them have delivered a baby. Some patients came with a chief complaint of mild fever and some breathlessness. So we admitted them to our isolation ward and testing was done. All are doing well and the babies are negative, so there is nothing to panic about.” Also Read: Mumbai: Covid-19 on the rise but city still slow on testing He added that it was observed that some patients experienced momentary breathlessness. “If one has a fever or finding it difficult to breathe, they should immediately consult their doctors.” Bandra resident Irfan Khan, the husband of Rubina, 26, one of the women who tested positive for COVID-19, said. “On April 7, she experienced labour pains so we rushed her to Cama hospital. She delivered a baby and the doctor informed us the next day that my wife was COVID-positive. The family was a bit worried, but everything went smoothly. By God’s grace, the baby, a girl, tested negative.” Rubina, who has recovered, said, “I was not scared as we are both doing well. The doctors and staff were good and took care of us.” Civic-run 1,800-bed SevenHills Hospital, a COVID-19 facility, saw three cases of pregnant women. Dr Maharudra Kumbhar, in-charge of SevenHills Hospital, said, “In the past few days, we have reported three cases of pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19. Two of them also delivered. We have also sent samples of the babies to confirm whether or not they are infected with the virus. The patients had been referred from other hospitals. They have mild symptoms and are recovering well.” Dr Niranjan Chavan, president, Mumbai Obstetric & Gynaecological Society, said, “Since the COVID-19 surge, I’ve been seen seeing one or two cases of pregnant women testing positive. They had a mild fever and cough. However, they recovered in five to seven days.” He added, “Pregnant women must take precautions and avoid crowded places and public transport. They should use a mask. If a fever persists for more than 48 hours, consult your gynaecologist and undergo rapid testing. There is no need to panic. Just take precautions.” Dr Pranay Shah, gynaecologist at Bhatia Hospital, said, “In March, there were no COVID-19 cases. In April, there were two. One patient was asymptomatic while the other had a runny nose, cough and headache. No symptoms of fever were noted. Hospitals still need a COVID-19 test before admission. When the patient tested positive, we waited for five days and then repeated the test and when it was negative, the lower segment Caesarean section was planned. In both cases, luckily, there was no emergency. Both the patients tested negative after resting for five days.” 1,800No. of beds at SevenHills hospital
14 April,2023 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Pandey
India records 7,830 new Covid-19 cases, highest in over 7 months
India has registered a single-day rise of 7,830 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 223 days, and the count of active cases in the country has increased to 40,215, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. According to news agency PTI, the death toll due to the disease has increased to 5,31,016 with 16 new fatalities being reported - two each in Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and one each in Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, and five reconciled by Kerala, the data stated. The tally of Covid cases in the country was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,47,76,002), it showed. The country had recorded a single-day jump of 7,946 Covid-19 cases on September 1 last year. The count of active cases now comprises 0.09 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.72 per cent, according to the health ministry website. Also Read: Mumbai: Covid-19 on the rise but city still slow on testing The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,42,04,771, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent, the data showed. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive. Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 919 fresh coronavirus cases and one fatality that raised the tally of infections to 81,51,176, according to state health department. With the latest fatality, the cumulative Covid-19 death toll rose to 1,48,461, it said. Of the latest cases, Mumbai recorded 242 infections, followed by 105 cases in Nagpur city, 58 in Pune, and 57 in Navi Mumbai, a bulletin issued by the health department stated. The only fresh Covid-19 fatality in the state was recorded in Akola city. The count of recoveries in the state reached 79,97,840 on Tuesday after 710 patients recovered from coronavirus infection. The state is now left with 4,875 active cases. Maharashtra's current case fatality rate is 1.82 per cent, while the recovery rate is 98.12 per cent, the bulletin said. As many as 12,841 swab samples were tested in the state in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of tests conducted so far to 8,67,23,707.
12 April,2023 10:15 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Covid-19: Maharashtra logs 919 new cases, one death
On Tuesday, Maharashtra reported 919 new Covid-19 cases, the state public health department bulletin stated. The new cases took the overall infection tally to 81,51,176, it said. Besides 919 cases, on Tuesday, Maharashtra reported one Covid-19 death. The case fatality rate in the state at 1.82 per cent, the bulletin said. The state currently has 4,875 active cases, the state health department said in the bulletin. Around 710 patients discharged today taking the tally to 79,97,840 Covid-19 patients getting discharged after full recovery until today. The Recovery rate in the state is at 98.12 per cent, the bulletin said. Also Read: 234 cases of XBB1.16.1 mutated sub-variant found in India: INSACOG As per the health department's bulletin, Mumbai had recorded 242 cases on Tuesday. The only fatality of the day was reported in Akola Municipal Corporation city, it said.
11 April,2023 07:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
India records 5,880 new Covid-19 cases, active tally at 35,199
India logged 5,880 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases have increased to 35,199, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. According to news agency PTI, the death toll has increased to 5,30,979 with 14 deaths. While four deaths each were reported from Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, one each was reported from Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and two reconciled by Kerala, the data stated. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.91 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 3.67 per cent. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,47,62,496). The active cases now comprise 0.08 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.73 per cent, the ministry said. Also Read: Mumbai reports 221 new cases of Covid-19, active tally at 1,434 The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,96,318 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. Meanwhile, The single-day count of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra went up by 246 in the last 24 hours to reach 788 on Sunday with one fatality, as per state health department data. The new additions raised the cumulative tally of the cases in the state to 81,49,929 and the death toll to 1,48,459. Mumbai city recorded 211 fresh cases on Sunday, making it the sixth consecutive day that the city saw 200 plus infections. The sole fatality due to Covid-19-related complications was reported from Ratnagiri district under the Kolhapur circle, as per state health department data. With 560 patients recovering from coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, the overall count of recoveries rose to 79,96,883, leaving the state with 4,587 active cases, the health department bulletin said. The Covid-19 fatality rate in Maharashtra stands at 1.82 per cent, while the recovery rate is at 98.12 per cent. As many as 10,059 swab samples were tested in the state, taking the total number of tests conducted so far to 8,67,04,363, the bulletin stated.
10 April,2023 10:24 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Stress and heart attack quietly killing Mumbai’s policemen
He had recently been shifted to our police station. He seemed fit and fine but died of a heart attack while on duty at Wankhede stadium on April 3,” said a police officer reminiscing about his colleague Jiju Manikrao Ban, 45. In the past 42 days, five on-duty Mumbai cops succumbed to heart attacks. From dealing with citizens’ grievances to providing security for VVIPs and events that keep on happening, the men and women in khaki are under constant pressure. Many a time, they have to skip meals and stay up for hours. Doctors and police officers have stressed prevention and early diagnosis through yearly check-ups. They told mid-day the state government should conduct screenings in a phase-wise manner to identify latent health problems. February 26Rama Mahale, 48, a constable at the Mulund police station experienced uneasiness around 5.30 pm at the Kalidas Sports Complex in Mahale. According to a police officer, he had been assigned to driving duty. After he complained of chest pain, Mahale was rushed to a nearby hospital, where ECG and other check-ups were done. He was immediately shifted to the ICU but passed away around 6.05 pm. Also Read: Mumbai: Andheri, Bandra and Grant Road log highest Covid-19 cases Constable Rama Mahale; ACP Nitin Bobde; Head Constable Sujit Pawar March 11Nitin Bobde, 55, the assistant commissioner of police of Yellow Gate division, was found in an unconscious state after eating a meal and going into his antechamber. He was rushed to St George Hospital where the doctor declared him dead. According to his post-mortem report, the prima-facie reason for his death was a heart attack. March 17Head Constable Sujit Pawar, 49, deputed at the Santacruz police station, was rushed to the nearest hospital after experiencing uneasiness, but in vain. A colleague told mid-day, “Most of our policemen are under stress and have hypertension. Many times, they go on sick leave to manage their health problems. He was suffering from hypertension. Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Kane decided to help Pawar’s family. All officers and staff contributed R6 lakh in total and handed it over to his family.” March 25Thomas Pinto, 51, was riding a bike while on security and protection duty at Marine Drive and had stopped at a signal when he experienced chest pain. He was rushed to St George Hospital, but sadly, he succumbed. April 3Jiju Manikrao Ban, 45, a constable attached to the Chembur police station, was posted in south Mumbai on Indian Premier League duty. A colleague said, “He suddenly experienced chest pain around noon and was rushed to St George Hospital. He was critical and admitted to ICU but passed away after some time.” Doctors said the government should conduct health screenings in a phase-wise manner. Representation pic What police officers said On the condition of anonymity, a senior police officer said, “It’s not like the government is doing nothing; 50 types of disease-free treatments are done at several private hospitals empanelled by the government. However, more focus must be given to the prevention of disease. Screening at regular intervals is a must for lung, heart, kidney and liver function apart from the routine CBC, X-rays and eye check-ups.” An officer from the eastern suburb said, “Everyone has a stressful job. Those who join the police force are well aware of the kind of work and time they have to devote. We can’t run away from this. What we need, apart from physical health check-ups, is to look after mental health too. Stress management techniques must be taught. Once you master them, it won’t impact your body. After all, stress is also linked to heart attacks.” Health experts speak Dr Prashant Mishra, a cardiac surgeon at Sion Hospital, said, “Heart ailments are on the rise. Whether it is common people, businessmen, policemen or politicians, everyone is affected by this issue. Stress, improper diet, and inadequate sleep are the reasons behind cardiovascular diseases. Like doctors, policemen are also the protectors of the community. They should have a proper diet, get adequate sleep and have limited working hours. The government must ensure proper screening of policemen at regular intervals and there should also be a focus on their mental well-being.” Dr Anil Sharma, professor and head of the cardiology department at Bombay Hospital, said, “Irregular working schedules, lack of adequate sleep, accommodation problems and work stress are the major reasons behind such incidents. So far, policemen who are 50 years old come to me to check their fitness. However cardiac diseases are now affecting younger people. Around 40 per cent of heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrests are seen among the younger population. The time has come for the government to screen those above 50 years once a year, 35 to 49 once in two years, and 25 to 34 years once in three years. This will help to keep a tab on health. Prevention and early diagnosis will bring down such incidents It is important for policemen to avoid unhealthy foods and eat meals at regular intervals. They must have uninterrupted sleep for at least seven hours.” A senior police officer said, “Currently, those who complete 50 years have to undergo a mandatory fitness test. But now, the younger population is also getting heart attacks so the government should start yearly screenings of all policemen. At one go, it is not possible so they must carry them out on the basis of age groups.” mid-day called up Mumbai Commissioner of Police Vivek Phansalkar and texted him for his comment but didn’t get a response. 3 AprilDay when last such incident occurred
10 April,2023 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Pandey
Mumbai: Andheri, Bandra and Grant Road log highest Covid-19 cases
Mumbai is seeing a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, with Andheri, Bandra and Grant Road reporting the highest caseload in the last seven days. Of the 1,298 cases reported in the last one week, 39 per cent of the cases are from these wards. On January 31, of the 24 wards in the city, only six wards reported Covid-19 cases. At the time, the city had less than 20 cases. However, since the last one week, the city has been reporting 200 new cases daily. Between April 1 and 7, the city reported 1,298 cases across the 24 wards, out of which K-West (Andheri West) reported the highest number of cases at 208, followed by H-West (Bandra) with 122 cases, K-East (Andheri East) with 100, and D Ward (Grant Road) reporting 91 cases. The four wards account for 39 per cent of city cases. Also Read: Mumbai: Hospitalisations due to COVID crosses 100-mark Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the officials from the K-West ward said, “Most of the people don’t even know they are positive. Some of them have only found out when they tested for Covid before going in for surgery. Then, there are those who have come from abroad or are planning to travel, and test themselves as a precautionary measure. So far, our ward war room didn’t get a single call for admission. There are a few local people who have contracted the virus, but nothing serious so far.” K-West has the most number of active patients at 219. According to the civic health department, they have 4,356 Covid beds, out of which only 104 have been occupied. Dr Maharudra Kumbhar, in-charge of Seven Hills Hospital said, “We have 55 Covid patients admitted with us, of which 13 are admitted to the ICU.”
09 April,2023 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Pandey
Mumbai: Hospitalisations due to COVID crosses 100-mark
Civic officials are taking stock of the situation as the number of hospitalisations across the city due to COVID-19 crossed the 100 mark on Friday. Officials told mid-day that isolation wards can be set up in four BMC-run peripheral hospitals, should the need arise. In January, the city reported COVID cases in single digits. In fact, on January 24, not even a single case was reported while the number of patients hospitalised was two. However, the scenario has changed. Borivli’s Bhagwati hospital, one of the spots where isolation wards can be set up. Pic/Anurag Ahire Since mid-February, the number of cases has been increasing; and the city reported over 200 in the past three days. While most patients don’t need hospitalisation, the admission count has gone up. Currently, Mumbai has around 4,356 beds; as of Thursday, only 100 beds are occupied. On the condition of anonymity, a senior civic health official said, “We had a meeting with the additional municipal commissioner during which the COVID situation was discussed. If cases go up, peripheral hospitals must be prepared with isolation facilities. We have identified four hospitals that can handle COVID cases if their number increases—BDBA hospital at Kandivli, Bhagwati hospital at Borivli, Rajawadi hospital at Ghatkopar and Kurla’s Bhabha hospital. A ward can be set up in them for the isolation of patients. We can create an isolation ward within 24 hours. Also read: Mumbai records 276 new Covid-19 cases Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar told mid-day, “There is no need to worry as we have ample beds for COVID patients and we have asked our peripheral hospitals to be ready in case of any emergency.” The state and city on Friday reported the highest number of cases so far this year. While Maharashtra saw 926 new cases, 276 of the 1,456 samples tested in the city turned out to be positive. Three deaths were reported across the state in the past 24 hours, one each in Raigad, Kolhapur and Gondia district. The state’s active COVID patient count is 4,487 out of which Mumbai accounts for 1,367 cases. Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting and asked state health officials to be vigilant as the testing positivity rate of Maharashtra is over 10 per cent. He also directed that a mock drill be conducted on April 10 and 11. 4,356No. of hospital beds in city
08 April,2023 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Pandey
Mumbai records 276 new Covid-19 cases
On Friday, Mumbai reported 276 new Covid-19 cases, which is the highest number of cases reported this year so far. The active cases in the city have risen to 1,367. Out of the total 276 cases, 253 cases are asymptomatic. Around 1,456 tests were conducted in Mumbai on April 7. Also Read: Maha govt must take COVID-19 situation seriously, apprise citizens: Ajit Pawar The recovery rate stands at 98.2 per cent, while the average doubling rate of Covid-19 caseload in the city is 4,642 days, the official said. On April 6, around 702 high-risk and 433 low-risk people were traced during the contact tracing. During the day, 23 patients were discharged after recovery.
07 April,2023 08:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent