As the national capital, Delhi continues to grapple with the ongoing surge in Covid19, the Delhi government on Monday announced that it will provide free vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age when the drive begins on May 1. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced, “Today we have given the approval for the purchase of 1.34 crore vaccines. We will make an effort to ensure that it is purchased soon and administered at the earliest to people.”

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On Monday, the Delhi High Court asked the state government to set up more virus testing centres and expand its sample collection infrastructure. The court was replying to Centre’s representative, who said that testing numbers have gone down in the national capital.

Apart from Delhi, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan have announced free vaccine for all above 18 years.

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While addressing the press on Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that, in order to contain the spread, the lockdown in the National Capital would be extended by another week, until 5 am on May 3.

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India has recorded over 3.52 lakh new Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours ending 8 am on Monday, taking the country’s total infections to over 1.73 crore. Apart from the USA, UK and EU have also pledged to help India in terms of vaccine-ingredients, oxygen tankers, and oxygen concentrators.

Indian NSA Ajit Doval had a phone call with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan on Sunday. Following this call, the USA has decided to export raw materials required by Indian vaccine makers and deploy a team of experts to help India tide over the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.