India has reported more than 10,000 new cases of Covid-19 in a day, prompting its Health Ministry to issue safety guidelines.
The 10,158 new infections in the last 24 hours took the total active cases to nearly 45,000, a more than threefold jump in the last week.
India has recorded more than 44 million cases and nearly 531,000 deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020.
Southern Kerala recorded 1,613 new cases in the last 24 hours.
Western Maharashtra state recorded more than 1,100 new cases — its highest daily surge in the last seven months. Mumbai, India’s financial capital, reported 320 cases.
At least 15 deaths were recorded, according to the Health Ministry.
In a tweet on Thursday, India’s Health Ministry asked citizens to “follow Covid-appropriate behaviour to defeat” the infection. The country lifted all Covid-19 restrictions in March last year.
In northern Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged officials to make dedicated Covid hospitals functional and reactivate the Integrated Covid Control and Command Centre.
The state has nearly 1,800 positive cases.
Vaccine production restarted
Amid the rising number of infections, the Serum Institute of India — the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer — has restarted the manufacture of the Covishield vaccine.
The institute was the first vaccine manufacturer in the country to produce Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield.
It stopped production of the vaccines in December 2021 due to adequate stock, a drop in demand and slow take-up of booster shots.
The institute's chief executive Adar Poonawalla told the Times of India that the company has six million booster doses of the Covovax vaccine available.
India witnessed one of the worst waves of the pandemic in April and May 2021, with millions of people contracting the Delta variant. At least 240,000 people are estimated to have died from Covid-19 during that period.
Hospitals across the country ran out of space and lacked the staff, medication and equipment to deal with the number of cases. Desperate families searched for oxygen cylinders as hospitals grappled with a shortage of supplies.
Amid fears of a potential fourth wave, the Health Ministry has conducted a nationwide drill to step up emergency plans, and asked private and government-run hospitals to check the availability of oxygen beds, ventilators, PPE kits and other critical care equipment and services.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Price: From Dh117,059
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
