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India witnessed a jump in the number of daily Covid-19 cases, recording 9,629 fresh cases of the infection in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday, India Today reported. According to the Health Ministry data, the death toll rose to 5,31,398 with 29 fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours. Of the 29 deaths -- six were reported in Delhi, three each in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, two each in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and one each in Odisha, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. Ten deaths were reconciled by Kerala. The number of active cases stood at 61,013. Active caseload comprises 0.14% of the total Covid-19 cases, according to India Today. The Health Ministry said that 11,967 people recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of people who have recuperated from the disease to 4,43,23,045. The national recovery rate stood at 98.68% while the case fatality rate was pegged at 1.18%.

The National Child Rights Council (NCRC) has urged the child homes in operation across the country to get licenses. Issuing a notice today, the Council asked the child homes to apply for the license within May 18. There is a provision that allows a child home to operate by meeting the set standards. Earlier on January 5, the Council issued a notice urging child homes to apply for the license. But none applied for the same. It has also warned of action against the child homes operating without taking permission. It has asked the local levels and the respective provincial ministry to inform about the child homes operating within their respective areas without official permission.  

A child died after being hit by a school bus in Jhapa on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as two-and-half-year old Chindal Subedi, daughter of Pawal Subedi of Kamal Rural Municipality-2, the District Police Office, Jhapa said. Police said that the bus (Me 1 Ka 407) belonging to the Nawadaya Secondary School hit her at Bhutlung in Kamal-2 at around 4 pm yesterday. Critically injured in the incident, Subedi breathed her last during the course of treatment at the Medimax Hospital in Gauradaha. Police said that they have impounded the bus and arrested its driver Durga Bahadur Kunwar (39) for investigation.  

Residents of Manang district have headed toward highlands to collect yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinesis) with the beginning of the yarsa picking season. Generally, the yarsa picking season begins from May and it will continue till the third week of June. Local people have set out for Namke Kharka, Khangsarkharka and Narphukharka in the Upper Manang to collect the valuable medicinal herbs. Their main income sources are agriculture and medicinal herbs. "We are heading to highlands to collect yarsa as this season is favorable for the same," said Jag Bahadur Gurung of Chame Rural Municipality-4. They have obtained permission to pick yarsa from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAAP) unit office Manang. Herbs collection is considered as one of the major sources of income of Manang folks.  People from outside the district also arrive there to collect yarsa. Chief District Officer Suprabha Khanal Dhungel said necessary arrangements are in place for the security of yarsa collectors. The collection has begun from the Namke alpine and it is permitted in Narfu and Khangsar of Upper Manang. The possession of COVID-19 vaccination card is compulsory for the yarsa and other herbs collectors and suppliers from outside the district.