India

GAUHATI, India (AP) — With experts saying the coronavirus is likely spreading in India’s northeastern state of Assam faster than anywhere else in the country, authorities were preparing Monday for a surge in infections by converting a massive stadium and a university into hospitals.

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Hockey India on Monday mourned the death of former player George Fernandez, who was battling COVID-19 in Bengaluru.

The 67-year-old died on Sunday due to complications related to the disease.

"We at Hockey India are deeply saddened to learn about the untimely demise of George Fernandez, who represented our nation at the Junior level," HI president Gyanendro Ningombam said in a press release.

"We extend our deepest condolences to his family in this moment of grief."

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday attacked the government over the Central Vista Project and questioned expenditure on a new residence for the prime minister when it could be utilised for COVID-19- related medical assistance.

Guwahati, May 10 (PTI) North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma was on Monday sworn-in as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam by Governor Jagadish Mukhi at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra here.

Sarma, clad in traditional 'pat silk' dhoti and kurta with a muga 'gamosa' draped around his neck, took the oath of office and secrecy in Assamese.

Along with him, 13 other legislators were also sworn- in as ministers amid strict COVID-19 protocols.

Mumbai, May 9 (PTI) Veteran Bollywood actor-politician Hema Malini said her secretary Markand Mehta has died of COVID-19 related complications.

In a heartfelt note, Malini took to social media late Saturday evening to mourn the loss of Mehta, who she said was part of her family.

Dehradun, May 9 (PTI) A seer from the Joona Akhada, Mahant Vimal, died from coronavirus at a hospital here.

(Reuters) --- India's COVID-19 deaths rose by more than 4,000 for a second consecutive day on Sunday as calls for a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus mounted.

India's health ministry reported 4,092 fatalities over the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 242,362. New cases rose by 403,738, just shy of the record and increasing the total since the start of the pandemic to 22.3 million.

Srinagar, May 8 (PTI) An oxygenated 100-bedded COVID care facility has been set up at the Haj House in Srinagar, an official spokesman said on Saturday.

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Srinagar set up the facility in Bemina area of the city in the wake of rising coronavirus cases.

The spokesman said the facility came up at the Haj House in just a week's time.

Chennai, May 8 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday requested the Centre to enhance the medical oxygen allocation to Tamil Nadu to 500 metric tonnes.

The chief minister, who had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assured the PM that Tamil Nadu would stand by the Centre in the fight against Coronavirus.

The Prime Minister assured Stalin that he would consider his request immediately, an official release here said.

Kolkata, May 8 (PTI) One person was killed and six others were injured in a clash between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengals Birbhum district, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred at Muktinagar village under Dubrajpur assembly constituency when a group of people, allegedly BJP workers, tried to enter the houses of villagers on Friday night, a police officer said.