In a recent development, Mumbai is no more the worst-hit COVID-19 city in India. Delhi reported over 17,000 cases on April 15th and is now officially the worst-hit COVID-19 city in the nation. According to official numbers from MoHFW, the highest single-day increase reported by Mumbai was 11,163 on April 4.

On Wednesday, Delhi registered 17,282 new COVID-19 cases which was the highest single-day increase in cases singe the pandemic emerged. Another grim figure comes in form of the number of fatalities as the national capital reported more than 100 deaths on Wednesday.

After Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Indore, Chandigarh imposes weekend curfew

After cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Indore, and more imposing weekend curfew to curb the spread, it’s Chandigarh that has joined the list.

Amid sharp and sudden increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Chandigarh administration on Friday issued an order stating that the city will be under strict weekend curfew from April 16, Friday 10 PM to April 19, Monday 5 AM.

Like most cities that have imposed such lockdowns, Chandigarh too will keep all the essential services operating. Chandigarh has been reporting more an average of over 380 cases since the past 10 days.

Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa tests positive for COVID-19 for the 2nd time

On Friday it was revealed that Karnataka CM B.S.Yediyurappa confirmed being tested positive for COVID-19 and was later shifted to the Manipal Hospital. On Friday the CM Office announced that Yediyurappa was first taken to Ramaiah Hospital for a checkup as he was suffering from mild fever.

After COVID-19 test, he was confirmed positive and was taken to the Manipal Hospital. It should be noted that prior to this, the Karnataka CM was tested positive in August, 2020.

Meanwhile Karnataka recorded 14,738 new cases and registered its sharpest single day increase since the pandemic began last year. These 14,000+ cases took the state’s total tally to 11.09 lakhs and fatality to 13,112.

FIRs to be registered against all COVID-19 safety norm violators: Karnataka High Court

Due to the ever-increasing COVID-19 cases in the state, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday asked the DG and Inspector General of Police to make sure that the police officials file a FIR against all the violators of COVID-19 safety protocols. The Karnataka High Court also highlighted that such violations would be non-bailable in nature under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020.

Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh to go under Sunday Lockdown

Before Chandigarh’s announcement of a weekend lockdown, Uttar Pradesh government announced a Sunday lockdown in the entire state. The Yogi Adityanath’s state will be under strict lockdown on 17th April, Saturday, 8 PM till 19th April, Monday 7 am.

Like most states that have imposed such lockdowns, even Uttar Pradesh would let all the essential activities and services be exempted from the restrictions.

Moreover, to spread awareness among people regarding the importance of wearing masks, the UP govt has decided to fine Rs. 1,000 anyone who is not seen wearing masks and violating the COVID-19 Sunday lockdown.

The official statement from CM Yogi Adityanath’s office said, “There will be a weekly closure in all rural and urban areas of the state on Sunday. Only sanitation, sanitisation and emergency services will operate during this period. Necessary awareness works should also be done in this regard.”

Centre permits Mumbai’s Haffkine Institute to manufacture Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin

Meanwhile, government of India has given permission to Mumbai’s Haffkine Institute to manufacture Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. The development came after Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray had asked the Centre to give permission to Haffkine institute to manufacture Covaxin.

Currently Covaxin is produced by Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad. Shiv Sena had to request the Centre for such a thing because in the past few days Maharashtra had been reporting a shortage of vaccine stocks.

There were vaccine centers across Maharashtra that had even had to send some beneficiaries away as they had run out of stocks. However, this claim was denied by Centre and Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan claimed that improper management by the state led to such shortage.