Amid rising coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, the state government on Wednesday (April 21) issued new stricter restrictions under 'Break the Chain' initiative to curb the spread of the dedly virus. It is to be noted that Maharashtra is the worst affected state by covid. The new restrictions announced by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra will come into force from 8 pm on 22 April till 7am on 1 May.

India reported 3,14,835 Covid-19 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day spike since the onset of the pandemic early last year, taking the overall infection tally to 1,59,30,965 on Thursday, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.

Since April 15, India has continued to report over 2 lakh new Covid-19 cases on a daily basis.

Amid oxygen crisis in the capital, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Centre why it was not waking up to reality and directed it to immediately provide oxygen to the hospitals in the city.

During the hearing of a plea by a hospital group, which had flagged oxygen crisis in two of its hospitals this afternoon, a bench comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said: Why Centre is not waking up to the gravity of the situation? We are shocked and dismayed hospitals are running out of oxygen but steel plants are running.

With India opening up Covid-19 vaccinations for all citizens over 18 from May 1, Serum Institute of India (SII) on Wednesday said it would price its vaccine Covishield at Rs 400 per dose for the central and state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals. At present, the Pune-based firm sells the vaccine at Rs 150 per shot to the Centre.

These are the prices for institutional sales, and not the maximum retail price, which will be announced later.

The eight-phase election in West Bengal is virtually coming to an end with 43 constituencies spread across four districts going for the poll in the sixth phase on Thursday. In this phase election will be conducted in nine constituencies each in North Dinajpur and Nadia districts, 17 in North 24 Parganas and eight in East Burdwan where 10,409,948 electorate will decide the fate of 306 candidates among which 27 candidates are female.

India could have a fourth Covid vaccine by August with Hyderabad-based Biological E’s candidate having completed its phase one and two trials and about to enter stage three, V K Paul, member-health, NITI Aayog, told reporters on Wednesday.

Besides, Covishield and Covaxin, which are available in India, regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has also approved Russia’s Sputnik V.

The Delhi Metro on Tuesday temporarily closed entry for New Delhi, Chandni Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Rajiv Chowk and MG Road stations to ensure social distancing as part of crowd control measures. Meanwhile, the exit is allowed from all the stations. Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a series of tweets.

Entry for New Delhi, Chandni Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Rajiv Chowk and MG Road has been temporarily closed to ensure social distancing as part of our crowd control measures. Exit is allowed, tweeted DMRC.

With the imposition of a lockdown in the national capital amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, all employees of the Rajya Sabha will work from home till this Friday.

As per a directive, those working from home will be required to remain available through electronic means for the 'smooth functioning of office during this period.

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to1,53,21,089with2,59,170new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, while active cases surpassed the 20-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

The death toll increased to1,80,530 with a record 1,761 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Gold price on Tuesday jumped to Rs 50,620 for 10 gm from Rs 50,420 and silver price is trending at Rs 69,200 per kg, according to the Good Returns website.

Gold jewellery price varies across India, the second-largest consumer of the metal, due to excise duty, state taxes, and making changes.

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