Today is the sixty-fourth day of India’s nationwide lockdown, meant to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. Domestic passenger flights resumed earlier this week after two months.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in India stand at 1,51,767. The death toll from the outbreak in India is at 4,337. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi have reported the highest number of cases.
Globally, there have been over 56 lakh confirmed cases of COVID-19. At least 3.5 lakh people have died so far. The United States, Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom and Spain are the most-affected countries. Catch the latest updates here:
This LIVE blog session has concluded. Please follow our new LIVE blog for the latest updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic and its impact.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | Spicejet spokesperson:
2 passengers who had travelled with SpiceJet from Ahmedabad to Guwahati on May 25 have tested positive for COVID-19. Passengers had travelled on SG-8194 (Ahmedabad-Delhi) & SG-8152 (Delhi-Guwahati).
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE updates: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee:
I told Amit Shah, if you think West Bengal can't manage on its own then you come and handle. Amit Shah had then said "Chune huyesarkar ko hum kaise tod sakte hai". I thank him for saying this.
I appeal to the PM andHM to take care of the situation. I want PM to intervene, this is no time for politics. There is a spike in cases in Bihar and other BJP ruled states.This is one country. The virus has to be stopped from spreading.
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE updates:
18 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Mumbai's Dharavi area today. The total number of positive cases in Dharavi rises to 1,639, the death toll stands at 61.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE updates:
280 new COVID-19 positive cases and3 deaths have been reported in the state today; the total tally of positive cases in the state rises to 7,816. Active cases in state stand at 3,081. Death toll is at 173.
Coronavirus in Haryana LIVE updates:
76 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Haryana today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 1,381.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates:
The current count of COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra is 56,948. Today, 2190 patients have been identified as positive, also 964 patients have been cured. Total 17,918 patients are cured and discharged. Total active patients are 37,125.
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE updates | BMC:
1,044 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 32 new deaths reported from Mumbai today. This takes the total number of cases in the city to 33,835 and total virus-related deaths to 1,097.
BMC has said that Sero-Surveillance has started in Mumbai to monitor the trend of coronavirus infection transmission. The objective of the survey is to estimate and monitor the trend of Sero-prevalence for COVID-19 cases in high burden cities. The surveillance is being conducted by ICMR.
This will be a base line survey and there will be subsequent rounds, the municipal body added.
Mumbai Police's social media directives spark row, BJP claims 'gag order' in Maharashtra
The Mumbai Police's order prohibiting the circulation of fake news and content "derogatory and discriminatory towards a particular community" or "causing panic and confusion among general public", has started a political war of words in Maharashtra.
The order states that those people designated as "Admin" on messaging and social media platforms "shall be personally responsible for any such information being disseminated from a group administered by them".
It also prohibits any person from "inciting mistrust towards government functionaries and their actions taken in order to prevent spread of the COVID- 19 virus and thereby causing danger to human health or safety or a disturbance to the public tranquillity". It will remain effective till June 8.
The BJP's Mangal Prabhat Lodha has now filed a petition in Bombay High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the order.
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Coronavirus LIVE updates:
Premier League clubs vote unanimously to resume contact training in an important step towards a possible restart of the season in June, AFP has reported.
Coronavirus in Punjab LIVE updates:
CM Captain Amarinder Singh will chair a review meeting with the concerned departments on the overall COVID-19 situation in the state on May 30, and announce the government’s decision on lifting or further extension of lockdown thereafter:
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
Punjab Government to seek fiscal stimulus of Rs. 51,102 Cr from GoI to overcome economic crisis amid COVID-19. Proposed package includes Rs. 21,500 Cr direct stimulus, CCL debt waiver, 100% funding of Central Schemes by GoI.
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE updates:
817 people tested positive for COVID-19, in Tamil Nadu today, 6 deaths reported and 567 discharged today. The total number of positive cases in the state stands at 18,545, including 133 deaths and 9,909 discharged.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
The testing capacity has increased in the country through 435 Govt laboratories and189 private laboratories (total of 624 labs). Cumulatively, 32,42,160 samples have been tested so far for COVID-19;whereas1,16,041 samples were tested yesterday.
As of today, 930 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals with 1,58,747 isolation beds, 20,355 ICU beds and 69,076 Oxygen supported beds are available. 2,362 dedicated COVID-19 Health Centres with 1,32,593 isolation beds; 10,903 ICU beds and 45,562 Oxygen supported beds have been operationalised.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Railways Ministry:
Over 3500 Shramik special trains have been originated till now by Indian Railways carrying more than 48 lakhs passengers. Nearly 80% of total Shramik trains are destined for various destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Coronavirus LIVE updates |
Pandemic creating 'lockdown generation' as one in six youths stop work: United Nations (AFP)
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | HRD Ministry:
Class 10, 12 students who have moved to different state or district during lockdown can appear for pending board exams there.
Students not required to travel to previous board exam centre if they have moved to different state or district during lockdown.
Virus update from the around the world:
• USdeath toll nears 100,000
• South Korea has highest number of new virus cases
Coronavirus in Odisha LIVE updates:
Another 79 COVID-19 patients have recovered and are being discharged. The total recovered cases of Odisha now stand at 812.
Coronavirus in Haryana LIVE updates:
Those without masks will be fined Rs 500 and those spitting in public will also be fined Rs 500,Haryana Health MinisterAnil Vijhas said.
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE updates | State Principal Secretary (Health), Amit Mohan Prasad:
277 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours. While there are 2,790 active cases in the state, 3,855 patients have recovered so far. The COVID-19 death toll in the state stands at 178. (Input from ANI UP)
Coronavirus News LIVE updates | Confirmed cases in SAARC countries
> India: 1,51,767 confirmed cases (includes recoveries and deaths)
> Afghanistan: 12,456 cases
> Bangladesh: 38,292 cases
> Bhutan: 27 cases
> Maldives: 1,438 cases
> Nepal: 772 cases
> Pakistan: 59,386 cases
> Sri Lanka: 1,319 cases
(Source: News reports and Johns Hopkins University CSSE, as of 3.35 pm IST on May 27)
Coronavirus in Puducherry LIVE updates |
Puducherry reported five new COVID-19 cases today, taking the total tally to 39.
All these patients hail from the peripheral pockets of the town.
Coronavirus impact | Centre not to approve state amendments to labour laws in 'current form’: Labour Minister
Union Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar has said that state government amendments to labour laws would not be approved by the Centre “in their current form”.
Emphasising that a balance would be created between workers’ rights and business’ demands, the Minister of State (MoS) for Labour and Employment - Independent Charge (IC) told The Economic Times that “complete suspension of labour rights are not labour reforms”.
Coronavirus in Assam LIVE updates | State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma:
18 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Assam. Total confirmed cases in the state have risen to 704, including 62 recoveries and four deaths. Update from 1.50 pm today.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE updates:
Prices of onion drop in Jodhpur amid COVID-19 lockdown. An onion trader says, "Before lockdown the prices were between Rs 20 to Rs 24 per kg but now it ranges between Rs 4 to Rs 7 per kg". (Input from ANI)
COVID-19 death toll in Delhi mounts to 303; highest spike of 792 cases
The coronavirus death toll in Delhi climbed to 303, while 792 new cases of COVID-19 were reported today, the highest single-day spike in the city, authorities said.
The previous highest spike in fresh cases — 660 — was recorded on May 22. This is the first time in Delhi that over 700 COVID-19 cases have been reported in a day.
In a bulletin, the Delhi health department said that the total number of cases have mounted to 15,257.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates:
179 Pakistan nationals who were stranded in India due to COVID-19 lockdown were repatriated via Attari-Wagah border today.
COVID-19 deaths in India could top 18,000: public health expert
COVID-19 cases are expected to peak in early July in India, where deaths from the pandemic could top 18,000, an Epidemiologist and a public health expert said.
The country is still in the ascending limb of the epidemic, said Prof. D Prabhakaran, Director, Centre for Control of Chronic Conditions (CCCC).
Coronavirus in France LIVE updates | JUST IN:
France has halted use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19 cases,
AFP has reported.This comes a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) suspended testing of the malaria drug on COVID-19 patients due to safety concerns.
Coronavirus in Germany LIVE updates | Germany extends social distancing rules until June 29
Germany's government and its state premiers have agreed to extend social distancing rules until June 29. Under the agreement, public gatherings of up to 10 people would also be allowed from June 6.
The country has seen 8,302 deaths from the coronavirus so far, far fewer than in Italy, Spain, France or Britain, and an initial easing of the measures does not appear to have caused a major spike in cases. (Input from Reuters)
Private labs record 3x positive COVID-19 cases even as government labs lead in testing: Report
Around 182 private laboratories testing for coronavirus in the country have recorded a 16-17 percent test positivity rate, internal assessments by the government have found.
This is nearly three times the 5-6 percent test positivity rate recorded by 430 government laboratories, according to a report.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates |
Delhi government’s Directorate General of Health Services: 792 COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours. About 310 patients recovered and were discharged during this period. Total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the national capital have risen to 15,257, including 7,264 recoveries and 303 deaths.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE updates | Health Department:
One death and 122 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Karnataka between 5.00 pm yesterday and 12.00 pm today. Total confirmed in the state now at 2,405, including 1,596 active cases and 45 deaths (two due to 'non-COVID-19' reasons).
COVID-19 here to stay, aggressive testing needed: Health experts
Global health experts have said novel coronavirus is here to stay for more than a year and called for aggressive testing to prevent its spread.
In an interaction with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, health experts Professor Ashish Jha and Professor Johan Giesecke talked about the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Jha exuded confidence that a vaccine will be available in a year's time, Prof Giesecke said India should practice a lockdown that is as 'soft' as possible, as a severe lockdown will ruin its economy very quickly.
Coronavirus in Singapore LIVE updates |
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Singapore has risen to 32,876, according to Channel News Asia. The city-state reported 533 new cases today.
While 16,444 patients have been discharged from hospitals so far, 23 have died. Over 15,291 remain in isolation.
Quarantine protocols and rules for air passengers in different states
(Image: News18 Creative)
Trans-Tasman travel bubble?
A draft blueprint on safely starting travel between New Zealand and Australia will be presented to both governments in early June, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said, in what would be the creation of a travel bubble between the neighbours.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE updates |
Health Department: 68 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours. The total number of confirmed cases in the state is now 2,787.
‘Certainly not an eye-wash’: Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee on Centre's Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus
Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee believes that Centre’s special economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore under the ‘Atmanirbhar Abhiyan’ is “certainly not an eye-wash”.
Banerjee has also voiced hope that it will boost the supply side which will in turn drive economic recovery.
China's missing 'Bat Woman' appears on state TV; says COVID-19 'tip of the iceberg'
A leading Chinese virologist whose mysterious disappearance sparked speculation about the deadly novel coronavirus emanating from a bio-lab in Wuhan, was for the first time interviewed on China's state television where she warned that such viruses are just the "tip of the iceberg" and expressed regret over science being "politicised".
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that 32,42,160 samples were tested for COVID-19 in the country till 9.00 am today. Of these, 1,16,041 were tested in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus in Pakistan LIVE updates |
Total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan have risen to 58,525, according to Dawn. This figure includes patients who have recovered (18,314) and the death toll in the country which stands at 1,210.
While Punjab province has reported 20,654 cases so far, Sindh has reported 23,507 cases.
Coronavirus in Jharkhand LIVE updates | Health Department:
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand now stand at 408, including 234 active cases, 170 recoveries and four deaths.
Coronavirus in Odisha LIVE updates |
Health Department: With a spike of 76 new COVID-19 cases today, the tally in Odisha has risen to 1,593. This includes 853 active cases, 733 recoveries and seven deaths.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE updates | Health Department:
109 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths were reported in the state till 9.00 am today, taking the tally of confirmed cases to 7,645.
Coronavirus in South Korea LIVE updates | South Korea reports 40 new cases, biggest jump in nearly 50 days
South Korea has reported 40 new COVID-19 cases for its biggest daily jump in nearly 50 days, causing alarm in a country where millions of children are returning to school.
Figures from the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention today brought national totals to 11,265 confirmed cases and 269 deaths. (Input from AP)
With hospitals stretched to capacity, housing societies in Mumbai are renting oxygen cylinders: Report
Some housing societies and people in Mumbai are reportedly renting oxygen cylinders for use in case of a health emergency.
This comes at a time when the city is scrambling to expand healthcare facilities and add Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
As many as 6,387 new COVID-19 cases and 170 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the data released by the Union Health Ministry.
