INDIA RECORDS 2,054 NEW COVID CASES, 96 DEATHS

India recorded 2,054 new cases in 24 hours, taking the total number of positive novel coronavirus cases in the country to 39,311.

A total of 96 deaths were reported in the last one day from across India, taking the total death toll to 1,319.

As special trains continued to transport stranded migrants workers and others on Saturday, Indian Railways said that all passenger train services shall be cancelled till May 17.

According to Union health ministry, with 2,411 new cases in past 24 hours, the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country rise to 37,776. Till Friday evening, the country had reported 35,365 cases. 71 more deaths in the last one day across the country took the death toll to 1,223.

The Railway ministry said that in continuation with the measures taken in the wake of Covid-19, it has been decided that the cancellation of all passenger train services shall be extended till May 17.

“Movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places shall be carried out by Shramik Special trains, as required by the state governments, in terms of the guidelines issued by union home ministry. Freight and Parcel train operations shall continue, as at present,” the ministry added.

A special train, meanwhile, carrying 847 stranded migrant labourers left for Lucknow from Nashik. The train departed from Nashik Road railway station at 10.20 am.

“As many as 847 passengers boarded the train following all norms of social distancing. The special train has 17 coaches,” said chief public relations officer of the Central Railway, Shivaji Sutar.

Out of the two Shramik special trains planned from Nashik on May 1, the CR operated only one train for Bhopal. The train carrying 300 migrants had left on Friday night and reached Bhopal on Saturday morning. The train for Lucknow was also supposed to run last (Friday) night, but due to some issues its departure was postponed. Another special train from Jaipur reach Patna on Saturday. A train from Telangana also reached Ranchi’s Hatia station last night.

As per the union health ministry, of the total cases, 26,535 are active, 10,017 people have recovered. The total count also includes 111 foreign nationals. Maharashtra continued the worst-hit with 11,506 cases and 485 deaths, although 1,879 people have also recovered.