COVID-19 Updates: Single Day Death Toll Crosses 4,000, Vaccines At Workplaces, More Lockdowns

India reported 4,187 fatalities on Friday from COVID-19, making it only the third country after the US and Brazil to report more than 4,000 deaths in a day.

Maharashtra's Covid Deaths Cross 74,000, Caseload Higher Than Turkey

Maharashtra's Covid-19 fatalities crossed the 74,000 mark on Friday and the state case tally surpassed Turkey's total infections, although the Mumbai situation continued to remain positive, health officials said here.

AFP

Against 853 deaths on Thursday, the state fatalities went up to 898 on Friday, taking the toll to 74,413.

Karnataka Reports Daily High Of 592 Deaths; Tally Crosses 18 Lakh

Karnataka reported its single largest daily spike in COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic with 592 fatalities, while the case tally went past the 18 lakh mark, the health department said on Friday.

Reuters

The deaths took the total number to 17,804, while 48,791 infections pushed the caseload to 18,38,885.

Karnataka Imposes Lockdown From May 10

Karnataka on Friday decided to impose a strict statewide lockdown from May 10 to May 24. CM BS Yediyurappa said the 14-day lockdown will start at 6am on May 10 and end at 6am on May 24.

AFP

The main differences in the new lockdown norms, when compared to existing rules, are that private vehicles will not be allowed to move freely and all intra-state travels will be barred, except for emergency services.

Government Approves Vaccine Sessions At Workplaces

The Centre has approved holding of Covid-19 vaccination sessions at public and private workplaces that have at least 100 eligible and willing beneficiaries by tagging these workplaces with an existing Covid Vaccination Centre (CVC).

AFP

The announcement came on the sidelines of a vaccination drive organised by the Press Information Bureau at the National Media Centre here where a team of medics administered vaccines to about 110 people, including PIB staff and journalists above the age of 45 years.

Dr Reddy¡¯s To Distribute Sputnik Light After Government Nod

The single-shot Russian Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik Light, which was approved for use by Russia on Thursday, will be distributed by Dr Reddy¡¯s Labs in India. It already has a distribution tie-up with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for Sputnik V.

Reuters

¡°Sputnik Light too will be distributed by Dr Reddy¡¯s Laboratories in India but after the necessary approvals,¡± a source told TOI. Dr Reddy¡¯s officials refused to comment on the development as the company is in the silent period ahead of its quarterly financial results announcement next week. The Hyderabad-based pharma giant is the marketing partner of RDIF and the custodian of the Sputnik vaccine brand in India.