Coronavirus News Highlights: India is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 2.65 crore confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2,99,266 deaths. A total of 2,34,25,467 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. There are 28,05,399 active cases in the country as of date, which comprises 10.57 percent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's recovery rate now stands at 88.3 percent. Globally, more than 16.64 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 34.49 lakh have died so far. India has begun the third phase of the vaccination drive in which everyone above 18 years of age will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. India's regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for three vaccines -- Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India has crossed 19.5 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India becomes third nation after the US, Brazil to cross 3 lakh deaths
India on May 23 became the world's third country to cross three lakh deaths due to COVID-19. The two other countries which have crossed the toll are the United States and Brazil.
While the official update would be shared by the Health Ministry on May 24, the real-time Worldometers tracker has pushed the country's death count to 3,02,744.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Lockdown in Rajasthan extended till June 8
To check the spread of Covid-19, the Rajasthan government on Sunday decided to extend the statewide lockdown till June 8.
This time, it will be a three-tier public discipline lockdown, said an order issued by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The lockdown will be in force from 5 am on May 24 to 5 am on June 8.
In a meeting on Saturday, the council of ministers and experts had suggested extending the lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kerala registers 25,820 new cases; 188 deaths
Kerala reported 25,820 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the total caseload to 23,17,911, while 188 deaths pushed the toll to 7,358. Recoveries outnumbered new cases with 37,316 people undergoing treatment testing negative for the virus, taking the total number to 20,62,635. Active cases stood at 2,77,598. Malappuram recorded the highest number of 3,943 cases, followed by Ernakulam with 2,771 and Palakkad 1,805, a health department release said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Goa LIVE Updates |
Goa reports 1,621 new positive cases, 2,545 recoveries, and 42 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases: 1,46,460, active cases: 17,277
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Karnataka reports 25,979 new COVID-19 positive cases, 35,573 recoveries and 626 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total positive cases: 24,24,904
Active cases: 4,72,986
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-hit Bengaluru is running out of beds for black fungus treatment
Bengaluru, which has emerged as one of the hotspots of the second COVID-19 wave, has also been hit by a rise in mucormycosis infections. Hospitals in the city are reportedly running out of beds to treat the rare fungal infection, also known as black fungus.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indian tech companies join hands to make open source based oxygen concentrators
A group of small and medium Indian technology companies and a defence PSU have joined hands to manufacture oxygen concentrators based on an open source design project Marut, initiated by robotic and automation startup Technido to meet the immediate need of patients and reduce dependency on imports.According to the companies involved in the project, the oxygen concentrator (OC) with 10 litres per minute flow with purity of above 93 percent and capability to operate round-the-clock can be retailed at about half the price of imported units in the range of Rs 65,000-70,000 per piece.The prices can further reduce to Rs 35,000-40,000 apiece on bulk purchase of 100 units or more, according to Technido.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Moderna CEO advocates third vaccine dose to protect people at risk
Amid global concernsover the possibility of variant viruses breaking through the vaccine's protection, US-based pharmaceuticalmajor Moderna's CEO Stephane Bancel on May 23 said vaccination with a booster shot is a good way to protect those at risk against ever-emerging new COVID-19 variants.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray asks parents to be alert about any symptoms in children
Amid the raging coronavirus pandemic and some experts warning of a possible third wave, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday appealed to people to consult doctors immediately if children show any symptoms. Addressing paediatricians virtually, the chief minister said the immediate diagnosis was the need of the hour. "Don't be complacent and negligent regarding any symptoms in children. Consult a doctor immediately," Thackeray said. During his interaction with 6,300 paediatricians from different parts of Maharashtra along with the members of the paediatrics COVID-19 task force and other medical experts via a video link, guidelines for the treatment protocol for children were discussed. The CM hailed the efforts of the medical fraternity in dealing with the pandemic. Thackeray said paediatricians need to comfort parents and not cause fear among them. "We trust our doctors completely when it comes to treating children. Treatment shouldn't be a bigger problem than the actual disease itself. Doctors should advise parents properly. The threat of coronavirus still looms large," he said. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said paediatricians were advised on how to identify mild, medium and severe symptoms of coronavirus infection among children. The meeting also discussed aspects like treatment of infected children with comorbidities, precautions to be taken by parents while handling their infected children, the diet of child patients etc among other issues, it said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Haryana extends lockdown-like curbs till May 31; some relaxations announced
The Haryana government has extended the lockdown-like curbs in the state till May 31. Some of the restrictions have been eased to allow shopkeepers to resume their business activities in a regulated manner."Standalone shops are allowed to open during the day when the night curfew is not in operation," stated the order issued by the chief secretary on May 23.The night curfew, which will continue in the state, stretches from 9 pm to 5 am. During this period, all shops would remain shut.The state government has also allowed the non-standalone shops to operate for up to five hours per day."Shops other than standalone shops are allowed to operate from 07:00am to 12 noon," the order said, further adding that such shops would be divided into two groups with each of them allowed to operate on alternative days.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Moderna declines Punjab's request for direct vaccine supply, says they 'deal only with Government of India'
ModernaInc, one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers whose jabs are being administered in North America and Europe, has declined the Punjab government's request for direct supply of doses.The company, as per its policy, would "only deal with Government of India", saidVikasGarg, Punjab's nodal officer for vaccination, on May 23.The Punjab government has recently reached out to all top vaccine makers, includingModerna,Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson and the producers of Russia's Sputnik V for the direct supply of doses to the state.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Lockdown extended in Puducherry till May 31
The Puducherry government on Sunday announced extension of the ongoing lockdown till May 31 as COVID-19 cases continue to soar in the union territory.The two-week long lockdown clamped on May 10 is to come to an end on May 24 midnight.Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said the lockdown is extended till month end, beyond midnight of May 24. All restrictions imposed from May 10 would continue and only essential services such as vegetables would be available till noon every day, an official release said.Milk and essential services would continue to be available and the government is keen that livelihood sources should not suffer any setback. With Puducherry registering unabated incidence of COVID-19, extension of lockdown to rein in the pandemic has become necessary, an official source said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indian Air Force flies in cryogenic oxygen cylinders from 3 countries
Keeping with their efforts to bring more relief to the country, the Indian Air Force brought in oxygen containers from three different countries on May 23.Three cryogenic oxygen containers were airlifted by an IL-76 from Bangkok to Hyderabad. The Indian Air Force's C-17s airlifted four Cryogenic Oxygen Containers from Frankfurt to Hindan, and four from Ostend, Belgium to Panagarh, ANI reported.Two more oxygen concentrators are to be brought into India via IAF C-17 from Bordeaux to Hindan, the report said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indian Navy:
INS Jalashwa arrived at Visakhapatnam today with COVID relief consignment including Oxygen cylinders and ventilators from Brunei and Singapore.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indigenous nasal vaccines could be game changer, says WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan
Amidst rising cases of COVID-19, World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist DrSoumyaSwaminathansaid that nasal vaccines, which are being made in India, could be a game-changer for children. As per medical experts, the third wave of COVID-19 disease which is expected to hit the country next year is likely to affect children more than the first two waves.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today expressed confidence that the vaccination drive would be expedited after the state starts getting adequate supply of doses from June. Inaugurating a field training workshop titled Pediatrics COVID-19, Thackeray said his government was relentlessly pursuing the issue of vaccine supply, adding that his government was ready to make one-time payment for 12 crore doses for beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group, who account for six crore of the state's total population. "I am confident the vaccination drive will pick up once the supply is smooth after June," the CM asserted.
Read more | Vaccine drive to get faster after adequate supply starts from June: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Delhi reports 1,649 new COVID-19 cases, 189 more deaths
Delhi recorded 1,649 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest since March 30, and 189 deaths today, a health bulletin issued said. The positivity rate further dipped to 2.42 percent, it said. Delhi had recorded 2,260 fresh coronavirus cases and 182 fatalities yesterday with the positivity rate slipping to 3.58 percent. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates | Serum Institute disassociates itself from its executive's remarks on COVID vaccination drive
The Serum Institute has disassociated itself from its executive director's statement that the government began the COVID-19 vaccination of multiple age groups without taking into consideration the available stock, stating that this is "not the view of the company". In a letter to the Union Health Ministry on May 22, Prakash Kumar Singh, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), clarified that the statement by its executive director Suresh Jadav at a recent event is not the view of the company, sources said.
"On behalf of our CEO Adar C Poonawalla, I want to inform you that this statement is not issued on behalf of SIIPL (Serum Institute of India Private Limited) and the Company completely dissociates itself from this statement. It is reiterated that, this is not the view of the company at all. SIIPL is committed to maximise its Covishield production and it stands shoulder to shoulder to strengthen the government's fight against COVID-19," he said in a communique. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Much like the first wave of the pandemic, the second wave, too, has impacted the consumption of various FMCG products across the country. Though the sales of personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners have been hit, sanitisers and soaps have witnessed an uptake again, shows data from Bizom, a retail intelligence platform. According to the company, bathing soaps registered an 11 percent month-on-month (MoM) growth in April, while sanitisers and handwashes grew 22 percent MoM during the period, revealed data from Bizom.
Read more | COVID-19 impacts peak season sales of ice cream, cola makers while essentials witness surge
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Covid taking toll on 31-40-50 age group in Andhra Pradesh: Data
Coronavirus is taking a heavy toll on people in the 31-40-50 age groups while largely sparing children and those over 60 in the ongoing second wave inAndhraPradesh. The State has now crossed the 10,000-mark in the total number of Covid-19 deaths since the first one was reported on April 3, 2020. The overall mortality rate so far since the outbreak of the pandemic stood at 0.65 per cent, with women constituting 34.27 per cent of the total deaths and men 65.67 per cent. The toll percentage and the case mortality rate in the first and second waves in the state remained almost the same, a death audit by the State government revealed. About 50.4 per cent of the deaths were being reported from urban areas and 49.6 per cent from the rural side. The State currently occupied the 19th position in the country in overall Covid-19 toll.(PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ministry of Railways:
Till now, more than 15,000 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen has been delivered across 14 States by 'Oxygen Express' trains. The first Oxygen Express reached Assam today with 80 MT of Oxygen.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Jharkhand govt launches survey in rural areas to contain spread of COVID-19
In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas, theJharkhandgovernment has started an extensive mapping exercise in all the blocks where several health teams have initiated a door-to-door campaign to identify people with symptoms of the coronavirus infection.During the survey, teams of frontline workers will visit every household inpanchayatareas andenquireabout any positive case and death of family members in the last two months or any person withCOVIDsymptoms, a statement said."In case any member of a family is found to be positive, the team will ensure that others also get tested," it said.COVIDtask forces have been formed in all the 260 blocks for intensifying coronavirus tests and distribution of home isolation kits, in addition to ensuring the availability of ambulances and the disposal of dead bodies in a scientific manner, according to the statement issued by the government on Saturday.Thousands ofMOICs(Medical officer in-charge),ANMs(Auxiliary nurse midwife),MPWs(Multipurpose workers),CHOs(Community health officers) have been trained to prepare them for conducting the survey and rapid antigen tests.(PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Puducherry adds 1,448 new COVID-19 cases, 34 deaths push toll
The union territory ofPuducherry reported 1,448 fresh coronavirus cases and 34 deaths, a single day high, a senior Health Department officialsaid today. The 34 fatalities took the toll to 1,359, Director ofthe Department of Health and Family Welfare Services S MohanKumar said. The Puducherry region reported 24 deaths, followed by Karaikal (six) and Yanam (4) while the Mahe region did notreport any fatality. Twenty-five of the deceased were men and the rest werewomen, he said and added that 22 of the victims had no comorbidities. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates |
COVID-19 inoculation drive for 18-44 age group has been suspended as the supply of vaccines isn't smooth. I'm hopeful that from June production capacity of vaccines will increase, then, we can run 24-hour vaccination drive in the state, says Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray during interaction with paediatricians. (ANI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
After black fungus, the Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is the next cause of concern for the medical fraternity to deal with the post COVID complications. The syndrome involving multi-organ is usually seen weeks after the peak of COVID wave and can pose a threat to the children post infection.
Read more | Post COVID complication among children a new cause of worry for pediatricians
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | 21.80 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses provided to states, UTs so far, says Centre
More than 21.80 crore vaccine doses against COVID-19 have been provided to states and union territories so far and over 1.90 crore jabs are still available with them, the Union Health Ministry said today. In a statement, the ministry said 40,650 COVID-19 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states/UTs within the next three days.
"The government has so far provided, both through the free-of-cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 21.80 crore vaccine doses (21,80,51,890) to states/UTs," the ministry said in a statement. Of this, the total consumption, calculated based on average up to May 22, 2021, including wastages is 19,90,31,577 doses (according to data available at 8 am today).
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates | Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal:
There is a possibility that the third wave of COVID-19 won't hit if everyone is vaccinated. We are planning to vaccinate everyone as soon as possible. I'm in talks with domestic and foreign companies regarding vaccines. We are ready to spend from our budget. (ANI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had first imposed a COVID-19 lockdown in the national capital on April 19 which was later extended multiple times, lastly on May 16.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | JUST IN:
Lockdown has been extended in Delhi till 5 am on May 31, said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today.If COVID-19 cases continue to decrease, teh government will begin to unlock Delhi in a phased manner from May 31, he added. (ANI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
Bharat Biotech plans to start the pediatric trial of its indigenously-made COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in June. The Hyderabad-based vaccine maker recently received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct clinical trials on children between the age of 2 and 18.
Read more | Bharat Biotech to begin Covaxin trial for 2-18 age group on June 1
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 impact: FPIs net sellers at Rs 4,444 crore in May so far
Overseas investors withdrew Rs 4,444 crore from Indian markets in May so far amid concerns over the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and its possible impact on the Indian economy. As per depositories data, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) took out Rs 6,370 crore from equities but pumped in Rs 1,926 crore in the debt segment between May 1-21. This took the total net outflow to Rs 4,444 crore. (PTI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Recent surges of COVID-19 in India, S America left people gasping for breath before our eyes: UN chief
Recent surges of COVID-19 in India, South America and other regions have left people literally gasping for breath before our eyes, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, warning that the pandemic is still very much with us, thriving and mutating".
"From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I warned that no one is safe until everyone is safe. Grossly unequal access to vaccines, tests, medicines and supplies, including oxygen, have left poorer countries at the mercy of the virus, Guterres said in his statement to the Global Health Summit. He said recent surges of COVID-19 in India, South America and other regions have left people literally gasping for breath before our eyes. The pandemic is still very much with us, thriving and mutating. (PTI)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Dr Reddy's developing new treatment options for COVID-19, says MD
Drug major Dr Reddy's Laboratories is working on the development of new treatment options for COVID-19 patients which it aims to launch over the next few months while ensuring uninterrupted supplies of its existing range of products for the infectious disease in the market, according to a top company official. The Hyderabad-based drug major has already launched Sputnik V vaccine while partnering various organisations, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
"We are motivated to serve patients in every possible way and with utmost urgency. This is reflected in the multiple collaborations we have entered to develop and commercialise a wide range of preventive and curative options for COVID treatment," Dr Reddy's Laboratories Co-Chairman & Managing Director G V Prasad said in an analyst call. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
The vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group came to a halt in Delhi today due to a shortage of vaccines, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying it will take 30 months to vaccinate people in this category in the national capital if the supply crisis continues. The chief minister also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to ensure immediate supply of jabs and increase the quota for Delhi.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
India has reported over 8,800 cases of back fungus infection, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda has said. He said 23,680 additional vials of Amphotericin-B, the drug used to treat Mucormycosis, have been allocated to all states and Union Territories. Doctors in India are documenting an alarming number of cases of mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients and those who have recently recovered. They believe that mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically-ill COVID-19 patients.
Read more | Black fungus: Nearly 9,000 affected so far; Centre allocates over 23,600 vials of Amphotericin-B to states
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | State-wise COVID-19 data
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 2,65,30,132, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry. This number includes cases involving foreign nationals, patients who have recovered and the death toll.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
As many as 2,34,25,467 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far, the Union Health Ministry has said in its latest update.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
The reported active COVID-19 cases in India stand at 28,05,399, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
The death toll in India due to the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 2,99,266, the Union Health Ministry has said.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | 1,001 new COVID-19 cases in Thane district, 52 more deaths
With the addition of 1,001 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in the Thane district of Maharashtra has gone up to 5,08,647, an official said today. These new cases were reported yesterday, he said. The virus also claimed the lives of 52 more people, raising the death toll in the district to 8,820, he said. The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane is 1.73 percent, he added.
In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count has gone up to 1,06,450, while the overall death toll is 1,982, another official said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 32,86,07,937 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to May 22 with 21,23,782 samples being tested on Saturday.
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Vietnam holds parliament election amid new COVID-19 outbreak
Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote today to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Fewer independent candidates than before are standing in the election for the 500-seat National Assembly, which is held every five years and usually after the ruling Communist Party holds its congress to select a new leadership. Nearly 69.2 million registered voters are expected to select from 866 candidates for the parliament. They will also vote for members of the people's councils at provincial and district levels. (Reuters)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates |
The Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) have gained a major market share in a short period. They were the first off the blocks last year when the restrictions were lifted. And most likely, the trend will repeat itself this year as well once the COVID-19 wave subsides.
Western QSRs are expected to grow by more than 50 percent during FY21-25. Growth opportunities for QSRs are even high considering the lower level of penetration.
Read more | Quick Service Restaurants show strong appetite for growth as COVID-19 wave subsides
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates |
A total of 2,044 children below 9 years and 8,661 aged between 10-19 years contracted COVID-19 in Uttarakhand, between May 1 and May 20 this year, informed state COVID control room. As many as 1,22,949 people have been exposed to the infection in 20 days, as per Uttarakhand Health Secretary Dr Amit Negi. (ANI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | India needs to learn, improve healthcare after the current COVID-19 crisis: Chetan Bhagat
Noted author Chetan Bhagat has said that India needs to learn and improve its healthcare from the current crisis caused by the devastating spread of coronavirus cases in the country. Speaking at a gathering organised by the Gulf Maharashtra Business Forum (GMBF) in Dubai yesterday, Bhagat also said that India did not take the vaccines seriously in 2020 unlike other nations. This crisis should help India learn its lessons, especially in the healthcare sector. It is ok to make mistakes as long as we accept it, Bhagat said. When it (COVID-19) gets over, we must change. We all have changed to an extent. The change will be in personal sphere, the business sphere and how and what we can learn as a nation. The only good thing about a crisis is a lesson, Bhagat added. (PTI)
