According to South African officials, the&nbsp;coronavirus cases in the country have been on the rise for the first time in months.

The country's COVID-19 tracking agency said 4,631 infections were reported in the last 24 hours. South Africa had reported the presence of the Omicron variant last November as it spread worldwide.

The virus cases in the country were in control for the past several months but it registered a three-fold increase recently as health minister Joe Phaahla said the development was "worrying".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/over-seven-in-10-people-in-england-had-covid-19-study-473092">Also Read |&nbsp;Over seven in 10 people in England had COVID-19: Study</a>

The most number of cases were reported in the Gauteng area with flood-hit KwaZulu-Natal province also reporting COVID-19 cases. One person reportedly died due to the virus in the country on Friday.

In a report, the World Health Organisation(WHO), had said over two-thirds of Africans may have contracted the virus with official figures still lagging behind the actual reported cases.

Watch:&nbsp;Philippine ambassador dies in Covid Quarantine in China

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-philippine-ambassador-dies-in-covid-quarantine-in-china-472531/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The UN health body said due to the lack of adequate testing facilities many cases had gone unreported 
&nbsp; 
Earlier this month, two South African cricketers - &nbsp;batsman Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder - had tested positive for the virus. 
&nbsp; 
South Africa has so far reported 3.7 million cases with the Omicron variant still the dominant in the country.

The country had recorded a total of 100,000 virus deaths last month, however, reports claim the actual death toll is far higher. Reports claim only 30 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

According to South African officials, the coronavirus cases in the country have been on the rise for the first time in months. The country's COVID-19 tracking agency said 4,631 infections were reported in the last 24 hours.

According to South African officials, the coronavirus cases in the country have been on the rise for the first time in months. The country's COVID-19 tracking agency said 4,631 infections were reported in the last 24 hours. South Africa had reported the presence of the Omicron variant last November as it spread worldwide. The virus cases in the country were in control for the past several months but it registered a three-fold increase recently as health minister Joe Phaahla said the development was "worrying". Also Read | Over seven in 10 people in England had COVID-19: Study The most number of cases were reported in the Gauteng area with flood-hit KwaZulu-Natal province also reporting COVID-19 cases. One person reportedly died due to the virus in the country on Friday. In a report, the World Health Organisation(WHO), had said over two-thirds of Africans may have contracted the virus with official figures still lagging behind the actual reported cases. Watch: Philippine ambassador dies in Covid Quarantine in China The UN health body said due to the lack of adequate testing facilities many cases had gone unreported Earlier this month, two South African cricketers - batsman Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder - had tested positive for the virus. South Africa has so far reported 3.7 million cases with the Omicron variant still the dominant in the country. The country had recorded a total of 100,000 virus deaths last month, however, reports claim the actual death toll is far higher. Reports claim only 30 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. (With inputs from Agencies)

South Africa reports surge in coronavirus cases; Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal worst-hit

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-reports-surge-in-covid-19-cases-several-infected-in-jails-385712">Thai </a>authorities on Thursday imposed night curfew in Bangkok including in ten provinces to combat the spread of the virus.

The country on Thursday reported 9,276, with 72 fatalities as authorities moved to halt non-essential travel and ordered people not to leave their house after 9pm until 4am.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thailand-witnessing-third-wave-of-covid-19-376752/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bangkok&nbsp;has witnessed a surge in cases as officials ordered beauty parlours, malls including&nbsp;popular spa and massage shops to close from Monday.

Last month authorities had reimposed restrictions in Bangkok halting work in construction sites and ordered restaurants to close in order to contain a wave of coronavirus cases.

Officials had detected a coronavirus cluster in Bangkok's upscale clubs including in overcrowded prisons as it opened checkpoints in southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla.

The government's coronavirus task force issued orders to work from home with residents barred from gathering in groups of more than five people.

However, authorities have allowed supermarkets, banks and pharmacies to remain open while shutting down public transport from 9 pm.&nbsp;

The virus disruption has hit the tourism sector hard which generates at least 20 per cent of the country's&nbsp;national income.&nbsp;

The authorities had tried to kick-start travel in the popular holiday island of Phuket allowing quarantine-free holidays to vaccinated travellers, however, not many travellers have signed up so far even as the government announced plans to allow travellers who have been fully vaccinated from October.

Phuket had&nbsp;closed most of its hotels for over a year, however, reports say two-thirds of Phuket's population has been vaccinated.&nbsp;

However, authorities had put other restrictions with travellers asked to stay at the holiday destination for at least 14 days if they wished to travel across the country and to take three coronavirus tests.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, Thai authorities on Thursday imposed night curfew in Bangkok including in ten provinces to combat the spread of the virus.

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, Thai authorities on Thursday imposed night curfew in Bangkok including in ten provinces to combat the spread of the virus. The country on Thursday reported 9,276, with 72 fatalities as authorities moved to halt non-essential travel and ordered people not to leave their house after 9pm until 4am. Watch: Bangkok has witnessed a surge in cases as officials ordered beauty parlours, malls including popular spa and massage shops to close from Monday. Last month authorities had reimposed restrictions in Bangkok halting work in construction sites and ordered restaurants to close in order to contain a wave of coronavirus cases. Officials had detected a coronavirus cluster in Bangkok's upscale clubs including in overcrowded prisons as it opened checkpoints in southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla. The government's coronavirus task force issued orders to work from home with residents barred from gathering in groups of more than five people. However, authorities have allowed supermarkets, banks and pharmacies to remain open while shutting down public transport from 9 pm. The virus disruption has hit the tourism sector hard which generates at least 20 per cent of the country's national income. The authorities had tried to kick-start travel in the popular holiday island of Phuket allowing quarantine-free holidays to vaccinated travellers, however, not many travellers have signed up so far even as the government announced plans to allow travellers who have been fully vaccinated from October. Phuket had closed most of its hotels for over a year, however, reports say two-thirds of Phuket's population has been vaccinated. However, authorities had put other restrictions with travellers asked to stay at the holiday destination for at least 14 days if they wished to travel across the country and to take three coronavirus tests. (With inputs from Agencies)

Thailand imposes night curfew in Bangkok amid surge in virus

The European Union's vaccination programme is becoming a disaster, with the bloc having inoculated around 2 per cent of its population. EU's best-performing country - Denmark has managed to administer 4.47 doses per 100 people. Israel, for example, has vaccinated - 54.72 people for every hundred.

So, what's going on in Europe?

Europe's problems range from slow vaccine supply to slow approvals. The bloc is also caught in a scuffle with vaccine-maker AstraZeneca - after it said it won't be able to deliver the promised doses on time. AstraZeneca has decided to supply an additional 9 million doses of coronavirus drugs to the EU by March, taking the total to 40 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beware-of-fake-negative-coronavirus-reports-europol-warns-travellers-360721" hreflang="en">Beware of fake negative coronavirus reports: Europol warns travellers</a>

The total population of the European Union is 446 million. Each person needs 2 doses, which roughly translates into 892 million doses. AstraZeneca is not the only company that EU has ordered coronavirus drugs from. Procurement deals have been signed with- 6 companies, with total number of doses at 2.3 billion. Despite these figures, the EU Has been able to inoculate just 2 per cent of its population.

What happened to the rest of their orders? &nbsp;

Deliveries are slow as both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are facing problems in their Belgium plant. Approvals are also slow. The EU Has so far approved the Pfizer, the Moderna and the AstraZeneca vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine has only been approved for those above 18. Hungary has separately approved China's Sinopharm vaccine.

"In addition to Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and AstraZeneca, we can now count on Sinopharm as well", Cecilia Muller, Hungary's chief medical officer said.

Critics say that Europe ordered too little, too late, and it is now trying to make up for the mess by tightening export rules.

''Well, I think the European Union recognised now that they made a mistake", Michael Gove, UK minister for the cabinet office said. "This is an incredibly hostile and aggressive act by the European Union bloc, they are trying to stop the supply of a vaccine designed to save lives into the United Kingdom", said Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland's First Minister.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finds-south-african-coronavirus-variant-among-11-people-with-no-travel-history-360720" hreflang="en">UK finds South African coronavirus variant among 11 people with no travel history</a>

For Britain, which recently exited the EU, the vaccination botch-up translates into Brexit endorsement. It has numbers to show that the EU is doing a shoddy job. For every 100 people in the UK, 13.95 have been administered with at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. In Italy - the number dips to 3.24. In France, it's 2.25. In Spain, it's 3.15, and in Germany, it's 2.77. In Greece, it's 2.58, followed by Belgium and Norway at 2.5 and 2.15 respectively.

Europe's best-performing country is Denmark, where 4.47 people for every 100 have received a vaccine dose.

In Israel, this number is 54.72, and in the UAE it's 33.71.

"I think we Europeans should also be more efficient on this matter [COVID-19 vaccines]", French President Emmanuel Macron said.

European Union wants to vaccinate at least 80 per cent of those above the age of 80 by March. It also wants to vaccinate 80 per cent of health workers at the same time. The goal is to immunise 70 per cent of Europe's adult population by summer.

The European Union's vaccination programme is becoming a disaster, with the bloc having inoculated around 2 per cent of its population. EU's best-performing country - Denmark has managed to administer 4.

The European Union's vaccination programme is becoming a disaster, with the bloc having inoculated around 2 per cent of its population. EU's best-performing country - Denmark has managed to administer 4.47 doses per 100 people. Israel, for example, has vaccinated - 54.72 people for every hundred. So, what's going on in Europe? Europe's problems range from slow vaccine supply to slow approvals. The bloc is also caught in a scuffle with vaccine-maker AstraZeneca - after it said it won't be able to deliver the promised doses on time. AstraZeneca has decided to supply an additional 9 million doses of coronavirus drugs to the EU by March, taking the total to 40 million. Also read: Beware of fake negative coronavirus reports: Europol warns travellers The total population of the European Union is 446 million. Each person needs 2 doses, which roughly translates into 892 million doses. AstraZeneca is not the only company that EU has ordered coronavirus drugs from. Procurement deals have been signed with- 6 companies, with total number of doses at 2.3 billion. Despite these figures, the EU Has been able to inoculate just 2 per cent of its population. What happened to the rest of their orders? Deliveries are slow as both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are facing problems in their Belgium plant. Approvals are also slow. The EU Has so far approved the Pfizer, the Moderna and the AstraZeneca vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine has only been approved for those above 18. Hungary has separately approved China's Sinopharm vaccine. "In addition to Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and AstraZeneca, we can now count on Sinopharm as well", Cecilia Muller, Hungary's chief medical officer said. Critics say that Europe ordered too little, too late, and it is now trying to make up for the mess by tightening export rules. ''Well, I think the European Union recognised now that they made a mistake", Michael Gove, UK minister for the cabinet office said. "This is an incredibly hostile and aggressive act by the European Union bloc, they are trying to stop the supply of a vaccine designed to save lives into the United Kingdom", said Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland's First Minister. Also read: UK finds South African coronavirus variant among 11 people with no travel history For Britain, which recently exited the EU, the vaccination botch-up translates into Brexit endorsement. It has numbers to show that the EU is doing a shoddy job. For every 100 people in the UK, 13.95 have been administered with at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. In Italy - the number dips to 3.24. In France, it's 2.25. In Spain, it's 3.15, and in Germany, it's 2.77. In Greece, it's 2.58, followed by Belgium and Norway at 2.5 and 2.15 respectively. Europe's best-performing country is Denmark, where 4.47 people for every 100 have received a vaccine dose. In Israel, this number is 54.72, and in the UAE it's 33.71. "I think we Europeans should also be more efficient on this matter [COVID-19 vaccines]", French President Emmanuel Macron said. European Union wants to vaccinate at least 80 per cent of those above the age of 80 by March. It also wants to vaccinate 80 per cent of health workers at the same time. The goal is to immunise 70 per cent of Europe's adult population by summer.

EU has vaccinated 2% of its population. How does it compare to rest of the world?

All Australian states and territories imposed travel restrictions on Sydney starting Sunday as a new COVID-19 cluster in the city sparks fears of more transmission. So far, at least 70 people have been affected by the cluster.

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The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) sent out a strict message to Sydney, reading as explicitly as this - “Do not come to us”, Reuters reported.

Sydney is Australia’s most populous city with more than five million people. And all Australian territories have warned its people that they would face a 14 day long quarantine if they decided to travel.

"If you are not an ACT resident and have been in greater Sydney...our message is simple: do not travel to the ACT," the city’s health department said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/australia-battles-virus-as-lockdown-in-sydney-torments-residents-ahead-of-christmas-351018" hreflang="en">Australia battles virus as lockdown in Sydney torments residents ahead of Christmas</a>

Starting Monday, residents of Sydney will not be able to visit Victoria, Queensland, and Northern Territory.

To ensure there is no spillover of COVID-19 cases, Queensland police intend to reintroduce road check points at the New South Wales (NSW) border.

On Sunday, the state of South Australia also imposed a 14-day quarantine period on people coming in from Sydney, while banning travellers from affected suburbs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/australian-state-violated-human-rights-in-lockdown-to-control-covid-19-spread-report-350492" hreflang="en">Australian state violated human rights in lockdown to control Covid-19 spread: Report</a>

Tasmania took similar steps on Saturday, and the state of Western Australia has closed its borders to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Other people coming in from New South Wales, where Sydney is situated, will have to prove that they are not coming from the affected regions in Sydney in order to cross state borders.

A quarter million people have been forced into a lockdown until Christmas Eve to control the outbreak.

All Australian states and territories imposed travel restrictions on Sydney starting Sunday as a new COVID-19 cluster in the city sparks fears of more transmission.

All Australian states and territories imposed travel restrictions on Sydney starting Sunday as a new COVID-19 cluster in the city sparks fears of more transmission. So far, at least 70 people have been affected by the cluster. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) sent out a strict message to Sydney, reading as explicitly as this - “Do not come to us”, Reuters reported. Sydney is Australia’s most populous city with more than five million people. And all Australian territories have warned its people that they would face a 14 day long quarantine if they decided to travel. "If you are not an ACT resident and have been in greater Sydney...our message is simple: do not travel to the ACT," the city’s health department said. Also read: Australia battles virus as lockdown in Sydney torments residents ahead of Christmas Starting Monday, residents of Sydney will not be able to visit Victoria, Queensland, and Northern Territory. To ensure there is no spillover of COVID-19 cases, Queensland police intend to reintroduce road check points at the New South Wales (NSW) border. On Sunday, the state of South Australia also imposed a 14-day quarantine period on people coming in from Sydney, while banning travellers from affected suburbs. Also read: Australian state violated human rights in lockdown to control Covid-19 spread: Report Tasmania took similar steps on Saturday, and the state of Western Australia has closed its borders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Other people coming in from New South Wales, where Sydney is situated, will have to prove that they are not coming from the affected regions in Sydney in order to cross state borders. A quarter million people have been forced into a lockdown until Christmas Eve to control the outbreak.

Australian territories impose travel ban on Sydney as COVID-19 cluster grows

India's consul general in Dubai Vipul has said that the ongoing repatriation is going "very well and smoothly" as many flights from the city land in India. Speaking exclusively&nbsp;to our diplomatic&nbsp;correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Dubai, Vipul lauded the UAE authorities saying that have been "very helpful and cooperative." 250,000 Indians in UAE have registered for repatriation, the maximum anywhere in the world with a large number of flights originating from Dubai making the task much more complex&nbsp;in the West Asian country which hosts maximum numbers of Indians anywhere in the world.

WION: How has the repatriation going on?

Vipul: Well, the repatriation has gone on very well. So far we have sent 4 flights from Dubai, one to Calicut, two to Chennai, one to Lucknow and all the flights have been very orderly. The Dubai authorities&nbsp;along with Air India have done exceedingly well, in terms of&nbsp;ensuring a very smooth flow of passengers. Of course, all the passengers are very relieved&nbsp;to go back home now, because&nbsp;many have been stranded here for some time and we got number of passengers&nbsp;who were pregnant&nbsp;ladies, number of workers who would have lost jobs or had completed&nbsp;the assignments here. A lot of elderly people and medical cases and these are the 4 categories we have concentrated the most on in the initial phase. Then there are students and visitors who were stranded. But overall&nbsp;it&nbsp;has gone very nicely and very smoothly.&nbsp;

WION: How has it been for our people and diplomats like you who have been on the ground facilitating the process. It is risky being out due to COVID.

Vipul: It is correct and there are jobs we have to do, and people at the airport have to do. In that, there is no choice and we are taking all the precautions. We taking all care that we are not going too near to the passengers. And at the same time, we have to be at the location so that it is an orderly flow. And sometimes especially here in Dubai, people get deboarded at the last minute&nbsp;because they have not done some formality or other. In some cases, people haven't turned up despite buying the ticket. And then you have to make sure seats don't&nbsp;go vacant, therefore&nbsp;we have had passengers in the waiting list and you have to arrange for that, so overall yes it there is some risk we are taking all precautions and hopefully, everything will go all well. The other thing with which we are facing difficulty or challenge is a huge number of Indian population is here in UAE, we 3.4 million and of course lot of people want to go to India right now and that has been a tough job. We have done that at random, and then also, we have taken people who have written to us or have approached us and who are really in a compelling circumstance were they have to go back to India.

WION: Any exact figure on the number of people who are expected to come back?&nbsp;

Vipul: It is a bit difficult to give an exact number. &nbsp;Six flights are slated to go from Dubai in next 4 days. And then for the 2nd phase as yet we don't have instructions from Delhi and information as to how many fights there would be. In terms of a number of people, it is large, there are also people who have gone into our database and filled up the details but not ready to go immediately. So it is a bit difficult to give the exact number. Of course, it is very large, on the portal, more than 250,000 people have registered so far but when we are calling people, they are not ready to go right now, so it is a bit difficult to give the exact number of people who will go in next few weeks.

WION: How have the UAE authorities helping out?&nbsp;

Vipul: They have been very very helpful. The UAE authorities are doing the test for all Indians and for all other stranded nationalities as well who are repatriating people. They have put in lot of staff that maintain order and make sure social distancing norms are maintained at the airport. Dubai police, Dubai health authorities and other agencies, they have been working together with us, ministry foreign affairs, everyone has been working together to make sure its a smooth operation and people do not face any difficulty. In any case, the large Indian population in UAE and number of COVID cases are also Indians and local authorities are taking care and doing the best to manage the situation. Authorities have been very helpful and cooperative.&nbsp;

India's consul general in Dubai Vipul has said that the ongoing repatriation is going "very well and smoothly" as many flights from the city land in India. Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Dubai, Vipul lauded the UAE authorities saying that have been "very helpful and cooperative.

India's consul general in Dubai Vipul has said that the ongoing repatriation is going "very well and smoothly" as many flights from the city land in India. Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Dubai, Vipul lauded the UAE authorities saying that have been "very helpful and cooperative." 250,000 Indians in UAE have registered for repatriation, the maximum anywhere in the world with a large number of flights originating from Dubai making the task much more complex in the West Asian country which hosts maximum numbers of Indians anywhere in the world. WION: How has the repatriation going on? Vipul: Well, the repatriation has gone on very well. So far we have sent 4 flights from Dubai, one to Calicut, two to Chennai, one to Lucknow and all the flights have been very orderly. The Dubai authorities along with Air India have done exceedingly well, in terms of ensuring a very smooth flow of passengers. Of course, all the passengers are very relieved to go back home now, because many have been stranded here for some time and we got number of passengers who were pregnant ladies, number of workers who would have lost jobs or had completed the assignments here. A lot of elderly people and medical cases and these are the 4 categories we have concentrated the most on in the initial phase. Then there are students and visitors who were stranded. But overall it has gone very nicely and very smoothly. WION: How has it been for our people and diplomats like you who have been on the ground facilitating the process. It is risky being out due to COVID. Vipul: It is correct and there are jobs we have to do, and people at the airport have to do. In that, there is no choice and we are taking all the precautions. We taking all care that we are not going too near to the passengers. And at the same time, we have to be at the location so that it is an orderly flow. And sometimes especially here in Dubai, people get deboarded at the last minute because they have not done some formality or other. In some cases, people haven't turned up despite buying the ticket. And then you have to make sure seats don't go vacant, therefore we have had passengers in the waiting list and you have to arrange for that, so overall yes it there is some risk we are taking all precautions and hopefully, everything will go all well. The other thing with which we are facing difficulty or challenge is a huge number of Indian population is here in UAE, we 3.4 million and of course lot of people want to go to India right now and that has been a tough job. We have done that at random, and then also, we have taken people who have written to us or have approached us and who are really in a compelling circumstance were they have to go back to India. WION: Any exact figure on the number of people who are expected to come back? Vipul: It is a bit difficult to give an exact number. Six flights are slated to go from Dubai in next 4 days. And then for the 2nd phase as yet we don't have instructions from Delhi and information as to how many fights there would be. In terms of a number of people, it is large, there are also people who have gone into our database and filled up the details but not ready to go immediately. So it is a bit difficult to give the exact number. Of course, it is very large, on the portal, more than 250,000 people have registered so far but when we are calling people, they are not ready to go right now, so it is a bit difficult to give the exact number of people who will go in next few weeks. WION: How have the UAE authorities helping out? Vipul: They have been very very helpful. The UAE authorities are doing the test for all Indians and for all other stranded nationalities as well who are repatriating people. They have put in lot of staff that maintain order and make sure social distancing norms are maintained at the airport. Dubai police, Dubai health authorities and other agencies, they have been working together with us, ministry foreign affairs, everyone has been working together to make sure its a smooth operation and people do not face any difficulty. In any case, the large Indian population in UAE and number of COVID cases are also Indians and local authorities are taking care and doing the best to manage the situation. Authorities have been very helpful and cooperative.

India's consul general in Dubai Vipul lauds UAE authorities as India repatriates stranded citizens

There were 1,752 new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-cm-requests-pm-to-help-bring-back-the-remains-of-nkrs-who-died-due-to-non-covid-reasons-in-gulf-countries-294540">coronavirus</a> cases with 37 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the country's health department said on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-may-see-second-wave-of-covid-19-outbreak-in-monsoon-say-scientists-294483">Also Read: India may see second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in monsoon, say scientists</a>

The total number of cases has now risen to 23,452, including 1,7915 active cases.

724 people have died due to the virus in the country.

Mumbai's slum area Dharavi reported six new coronavirus cases taking the number of positive cases in the area to 220 which includes 14 deaths.

Kerala reported three new coronavirus cases in Kasaragod district in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases in the state to 450.&nbsp;

In Karnataka, 29 new cases of coronavirus were detected taking the total number of cases in the state to 474. Eighteen people have died due to the virus in the state. There are 304 active cases in the state out of which five patients are in the ICU, the state health department informed.

In West Bengal, 51 more coronavirus cases were detected taking the total number of cases in the state to 385 on Friday evena as the Punjab government reported eleven more cases of the virus.

In Punjab, the death toll reached 17 after the number of cases reached 298.

&nbsp;&nbsp;

There were 1,752 new coronavirus cases with 37 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the country's health department said on Friday. Also Read: India may see second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in monsoon, say scientists The total number of cases has now risen to 23,452, including 1,7915 active cases.

There were 1,752 new coronavirus cases with 37 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the country's health department said on Friday. Also Read: India may see second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in monsoon, say scientists The total number of cases has now risen to 23,452, including 1,7915 active cases. 724 people have died due to the virus in the country. Mumbai's slum area Dharavi reported six new coronavirus cases taking the number of positive cases in the area to 220 which includes 14 deaths. Kerala reported three new coronavirus cases in Kasaragod district in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases in the state to 450. In Karnataka, 29 new cases of coronavirus were detected taking the total number of cases in the state to 474. Eighteen people have died due to the virus in the state. There are 304 active cases in the state out of which five patients are in the ICU, the state health department informed. In West Bengal, 51 more coronavirus cases were detected taking the total number of cases in the state to 385 on Friday evena as the Punjab government reported eleven more cases of the virus. In Punjab, the death toll reached 17 after the number of cases reached 298.

Dharavi slum area in Mumbai reports six new COVID-19 cases

In a recent study published in The Lancet experts have projected the demand for ventilators at the peak of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/states-advised-not-to-use-rapid-testing-kits-for-two-days-need-to-be-validated-government-293806"> coronavirus</a> outbreak in the USA. ''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-can-mobile-apps-aid-the-fight-against-coronavirus-293804">Explained: Can mobile apps aid the fight against coronavirus?</a>

According to the report, at a basic reproduction rate of 2.5, 1,15,001 (ranging between 101 006–131 770) invasive ventilators and 89,788 (ranging between 78 861–102 880) non-invasive ventilators would be needed, on average at the outbreak peak.

The estimates used to project the numbers include recent evaluations of coronavirus patient’s hospitalization and data of patients in ICU requiring ventilation.&nbsp;

The study further elaborates that 69,660 out of 98,105 invasive ventilators in the USA are already deployed for non-coronavirus patients, before the spread of the pandemic. It essentially means that only 28,445 invasive ventilators would be left for coronavirus patients.

Consequently, at least 45 341 (IQR 31 346–62 110) additional units would be needed for the surge at the peak. Similarly, of the 22,976 non-invasive devices, an estimated 12,499 units would be available for COVID-19 patients. As a result, a minimum of 77,289 additional units would be needed at the peak in the USA.&nbsp;

The startling numbers projected in the report reveals how ill-prepared the USA really is, once coronavirus peaks in the country. A point worth being noted here is that these available ventilators include additional units in stockpile or storage.

The USA is not alone in facing the crisis. As the pandemic spread, countries around the world started to push to get more ventilators to treat coronavirus patients.&nbsp;

According to an estimate projected by in a report by Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy on March 24, India will need an estimated 1 million ventilators to address the peak of coronavirus.

The shortfall has resulted in a race to develop low-cost ventilators in the country. India is also looking to import ventilators from countries like China, South Korea to meet the required numbers of units.

But, with growing concerns among health experts on the usage of ventilators and data suggesting higher mortality rate among patients on ventilators than the normal mortality rate, leaves a big question unanswered. Are ventilators saving lives or killing more people?

As health officials around the world are working day and night for a possible vaccination to cure COVID-19 responsible for the death of more than 171,652 around the world, some doctors are moving away from using ventilators when they can.

High death rates on most advanced breathing support in the UK, New York, etc. raises questions on the effectiveness of critical care for patients in ICU who are fighting for their lives.&nbsp;

The reason - some hospitals have reported unusually high death rates for coronavirus patients on ventilators, and some doctors worry that the machines could be harming certain patients.

The evolving treatments highlight the fact that doctors are still learning the best way to manage a virus that emerged only months ago. They are relying on anecdotal, real-time data amid a clutch of patients and shortages of basic supplies.

Mechanical ventilators push oxygen into patients whose lungs are failing. Using the machines involves sedating a patient and sticking a tube into the throat. Deaths in such sick patients are common, no matter the reason they need breathing help.

Generally speaking, 40 per cent to 50 per cent of patients with severe respiratory distress die while on ventilators, experts say. But 80 per cent or more of coronavirus patients placed on the machines in New York City have died, state and city officials say, reported by Associated Press.&nbsp;

Similar reports have emerged from China and the United Kingdom. One UK report put the figure at 66 per cent. The ICNARC (Intensive Care National Audit &amp; Research Centre, UK) report looked at the first 775 patients who had fallen critically ill with COVID-19 across 285 intensive care units. &nbsp;

Of the 98 patients who needed advanced respiratory support when their lungs started to fail, just 33 patients lived (34 per cent). A very small study in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the disease first emerged, said 86 per cent died.

The reason is not clear. It may have to do with what kind of shape the patients were in before they were infected or it could be related to how sick they had become by the time they were put on the machines, some experts said. But some health professionals have wondered whether ventilators might make matters worse in certain patients, perhaps by igniting or worsening a harmful immune system reaction- that’s speculation. ''

But experts do say ventilators can be damaging to a patient over time, as high-pressure oxygen is forced into the tiny air sacs in a patient’s lungs.

“We know that mechanical ventilation is not benign,” said Dr Eddy Fan, an expert on respiratory treatment at Toronto General Hospital.&nbsp;

“One of the most important findings in the last few decades is that medical ventilation can worsen lung injury — so we have to be careful about how we use it.”

The dangers can be eased by limiting the amount of pressure and the size of breaths delivered by the machine, Fan said in an interview to Associated Press.&nbsp;

Dr Luciano Gatinoni, an expert in anesthesiology and intensive care at the Medical University of Gottingen, in a letter to the editor published in Intensive Care Medicine, wrote that coronavirus patients in Italy showed symptoms subtly but significantly different from of other patients in respiratory distress.&nbsp;

“All we can do ventilating these patients is "buying time" with minimal additional damage: the lowest possible PEEP [Positive End Expiratory Pressure] and gentle ventilation,” Gattinoni added.

“The ventilator is not therapeutic. It’s a supportive measure while we wait for the patient’s body to recover,” said Dr Roger Alvarez, a lung specialist with the University of Miami Health System in Florida, who is a leader in the effort to use nitric oxide to keep patients off ventilators for as long as possible said, while speaking the Associated Press.

In a recent study published in The Lancet experts have projected the demand for ventilators at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the USA. '' Explained: Can mobile apps aid the fight against coronavirus?

In a recent study published in The Lancet experts have projected the demand for ventilators at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the USA. '' Explained: Can mobile apps aid the fight against coronavirus? According to the report, at a basic reproduction rate of 2.5, 1,15,001 (ranging between 101 006–131 770) invasive ventilators and 89,788 (ranging between 78 861–102 880) non-invasive ventilators would be needed, on average at the outbreak peak. The estimates used to project the numbers include recent evaluations of coronavirus patient’s hospitalization and data of patients in ICU requiring ventilation. The study further elaborates that 69,660 out of 98,105 invasive ventilators in the USA are already deployed for non-coronavirus patients, before the spread of the pandemic. It essentially means that only 28,445 invasive ventilators would be left for coronavirus patients. Consequently, at least 45 341 (IQR 31 346–62 110) additional units would be needed for the surge at the peak. Similarly, of the 22,976 non-invasive devices, an estimated 12,499 units would be available for COVID-19 patients. As a result, a minimum of 77,289 additional units would be needed at the peak in the USA. The startling numbers projected in the report reveals how ill-prepared the USA really is, once coronavirus peaks in the country. A point worth being noted here is that these available ventilators include additional units in stockpile or storage. The USA is not alone in facing the crisis. As the pandemic spread, countries around the world started to push to get more ventilators to treat coronavirus patients. According to an estimate projected by in a report by Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy on March 24, India will need an estimated 1 million ventilators to address the peak of coronavirus. The shortfall has resulted in a race to develop low-cost ventilators in the country. India is also looking to import ventilators from countries like China, South Korea to meet the required numbers of units. But, with growing concerns among health experts on the usage of ventilators and data suggesting higher mortality rate among patients on ventilators than the normal mortality rate, leaves a big question unanswered. Are ventilators saving lives or killing more people? As health officials around the world are working day and night for a possible vaccination to cure COVID-19 responsible for the death of more than 171,652 around the world, some doctors are moving away from using ventilators when they can. High death rates on most advanced breathing support in the UK, New York, etc. raises questions on the effectiveness of critical care for patients in ICU who are fighting for their lives. The reason - some hospitals have reported unusually high death rates for coronavirus patients on ventilators, and some doctors worry that the machines could be harming certain patients. The evolving treatments highlight the fact that doctors are still learning the best way to manage a virus that emerged only months ago. They are relying on anecdotal, real-time data amid a clutch of patients and shortages of basic supplies. Mechanical ventilators push oxygen into patients whose lungs are failing. Using the machines involves sedating a patient and sticking a tube into the throat. Deaths in such sick patients are common, no matter the reason they need breathing help. Generally speaking, 40 per cent to 50 per cent of patients with severe respiratory distress die while on ventilators, experts say. But 80 per cent or more of coronavirus patients placed on the machines in New York City have died, state and city officials say, reported by Associated Press. Similar reports have emerged from China and the United Kingdom. One UK report put the figure at 66 per cent. The ICNARC (Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre, UK) report looked at the first 775 patients who had fallen critically ill with COVID-19 across 285 intensive care units. Of the 98 patients who needed advanced respiratory support when their lungs started to fail, just 33 patients lived (34 per cent). A very small study in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the disease first emerged, said 86 per cent died. The reason is not clear. It may have to do with what kind of shape the patients were in before they were infected or it could be related to how sick they had become by the time they were put on the machines, some experts said. But some health professionals have wondered whether ventilators might make matters worse in certain patients, perhaps by igniting or worsening a harmful immune system reaction- that’s speculation. '' But experts do say ventilators can be damaging to a patient over time, as high-pressure oxygen is forced into the tiny air sacs in a patient’s lungs. “We know that mechanical ventilation is not benign,” said Dr Eddy Fan, an expert on respiratory treatment at Toronto General Hospital. “One of the most important findings in the last few decades is that medical ventilation can worsen lung injury — so we have to be careful about how we use it.” The dangers can be eased by limiting the amount of pressure and the size of breaths delivered by the machine, Fan said in an interview to Associated Press. Dr Luciano Gatinoni, an expert in anesthesiology and intensive care at the Medical University of Gottingen, in a letter to the editor published in Intensive Care Medicine, wrote that coronavirus patients in Italy showed symptoms subtly but significantly different from of other patients in respiratory distress. “All we can do ventilating these patients is "buying time" with minimal additional damage: the lowest possible PEEP [Positive End Expiratory Pressure] and gentle ventilation,” Gattinoni added. “The ventilator is not therapeutic. It’s a supportive measure while we wait for the patient’s body to recover,” said Dr Roger Alvarez, a lung specialist with the University of Miami Health System in Florida, who is a leader in the effort to use nitric oxide to keep patients off ventilators for as long as possible said, while speaking the Associated Press.

Ventilators in times of COVID-19: Life-saving machine or a 'killing' unit?