Coronavirus India News Highlights: Today is the eighty-seventh day of India's nationwide lockdown, meant to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. India has so far recorded 3,80,532 cases, which includes 12,573 deaths. Globally, there have been over 84.6 lakh confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 4.5 lakh people have died so far.
The Supreme Court Friday took note of the differences in COVID-19 testing charges in various states and asked the Centre to decide on the issue, and said all states should set up a panel of experts to inspect hospitals to ensure proper care the patients. The top court bench observed during the hearing that there should be uniformity in COVID-19 testing charge in all states.
A total of 1,89,997 cases--around half of the overall tally--was reported this month alone largely due to the rise in the infections in the worst affected states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. UP, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh were among the states which registered a record daily spike on Friday. Kerala recorded a rise in cases by over 100 for the second time so far. The first coronavirus case in the country was reported in this state on January 30.
Catch the LIVE updates here:
Mumbai Port Trust sets up 70-bed 'COVID Care Ashram'
The Mumbai Port Trust on Friday said it has set up a 70-bed 'Covid Care Ashram' by upgrading one of its existing building complexes near its hospital.The facility, it said, will help in reducing the load of the coronavirus infected patients at the hospital and providing holistic treatment to such patients. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Telangana LIVE updates | Three deaths, 499 new COVID-19 cases in Telangana
In a major spike in COVID-19cases, Telangana on Friday saw 499 new virus cases and three deaths being reported, taking the infection count in the state
to 6,526 and fatalities to 198.Out of the 499 fresh cases, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the hotbed of the infection in the state, accounted for 329 cases, followed by Ranga Reddydistrict, neighbouring Hyderabad, with 129 cases. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates | 3,827 new coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, 142 deaths
The number of coronavirus casesin Maharashtra rose to 1,24,331 on Friday with 3,827 new patients reported, the state health department said. With 142 deaths recorded during the day, the count of fatalities due to the infection reached 5,893, it added.
On the other hand, 1,935 patients were discharged from hospitals, taking the number of recovered coronavirus patients to 62,773. So far, 7, 35,674 people have been tested in thestate. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh LIVE updates | Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 count reaches 2,018 as 70 test positive
The number of COVID-19 cases inChhattisgarh increased to 2,018 after 70 people, including a CAF personnel and two doctors of a government hospital, tested
positive on Friday, officials here said.
The Chhattisgarh Armed Force personnel was posted on security duty at the official residence of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in Raipur, they said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Pakistan LIVE updates | Pakistan to get USD 1.5 billion international aid to tackle coronavirus outbreak
Pakistan on Friday signed agreements with three international financial institutions for USD 1.5 billion aid in tackling the coronavirus outbreak and strengthening the social sector in the country.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was present during the signing of the agreements with the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ABB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), according to a statement from his office. The amount will be disbursed in the next few days, the statement added. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Bihar LIVE updates | Covid-19 deaths climb to 49 in Bihar
With five new COVID fatalitiesreported on Friday, the total number of deaths due to the deadly virus has increased to 49 in Bihar while count of positive cases spiked to 7290, the state health department said. The state reported 250 fresh positive cases Friday, health departments Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh said in an official release.
Of the five fresh fatalities, two hailed from Darbhanga district while one each belonged to the districts of Nalanda, Nawada and Saran, Singh said.Four out of the five among them were suffering fromco-morbidities, he added. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE updates | 1,269 new coronavirus cases in Mumbai, 114 deaths
The tally of coronavirus casesin Mumbai rose to 64,068 with 1,269 new patients detected on Friday while the death toll due to the pandemic reached
3,423 with 114 deaths, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Of 114 deaths, 55 deaths were recorded between June 16-18 and the remaining 59 had occurred before June 15. 79 of these patients died due to co-morbidities, thecivic body said. (PTI)
Over 7,000 tests using Rapid Antigen methodology conducted on first day in Delhi: ICMR
A day after COVID-19 tests using Rapid Antigen methodology commenced in the national capital, the ICMR on Friday said over 7,000 test were conducted on the first day.In a statement, the ICMR said it has facilitated and approved rapid-antigen test for COVID-19 that gives results in 30 minutes in order to fast track reliable and affordable testing essentially in high containment areas.Rapid antigen testing was launched in Delhi and on the first day, over 7,000 tests were conducted, it said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE updates | West Bengal records 11 COVID-19 fatalities, death toll reaches 529
West Bengal on Friday recorded 11 coronavirus-related fatalities, taking the death toll to 529, a bulletin released by the state health department said. Of 11 deaths, nine were "due to co-morbidities where COVID-19 was incidental", it said.
In the last 24 hours, 355 new COVID-19 infections have been reported, pushing the total number of cases to 13,090 in the state, the bulletin said. During the same period, 302 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the disease. Since Thursday, 10,321 samples have been tested for COVID-19, the bulletin added. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE updates | Coronavirus pandemic accelerating, warns WHO head Tedros
The global coronavirus pandemic is accelerating, with Thursday's 1,50,000 new cases the highest in a single day, World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
"Almost half of the cases reported were from the Americas," he told a virtual briefing. "The world is in a new and dangerous phase ... the virus is still spreading fast, it is still deadly, and most people are still susceptible." (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates | Delhi's recovery rate rises above 42%
Delhi's recovery rate increased to 42.69 percent on June 18, after staying below the 40 percent mark for 13 days, according to official figures.This is the first time in two weeks that the recovery rate has crossed the 40 per cent mark, amid a surge in coronavirus cases. The cases in the national capital look poised to breach the 50,000 mark on Friday.f 2,877 cases taking the case tally closer to the 50,000 mark. (PTI)
Coronavirus India LIVE updates | India registers a record daily jump of nearly 14,000 COVID-19 cases, Chennai back into lockdown after spike
India on Friday registered a record one-day jump of 13,856 COVID-19 cases in a grim trend that has continued for most of this month as Chennai was back into lockdown after a sharp rise in the infections. In some positive news, the number of recoveries crossed the two lakh mark and now stands at 2,04,710, while there are 1,63,248 total COVID-19 active cases, according to the Union Health ministry data.
This showed that around 53.79 per cent of the patients have recovered so far. The jump of 13,586 COVID-19 cases pushed the countrywide tally to 3,80,532, while the death toll stood at 12,573 with 336 new fatalities, the data showed. A total of 1,89,997 cases--around half of the overall tally--was reported this month alone largely due to the rise in the infections in the worst affected states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)
Glenmark gets DCGI nod for favipiravir for treatment of COVID-19 patients
Drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals on Friday said it has received approval from the Indian drug regulator to launch oral antiviral drug favipiravir for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in the country.
It is for restricted emergency use in India. Restricted use entails responsible medication use where every patient must have signed informed consent before treatment initiation, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said in a statement. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Gujarat LIVE updates | 540 new coronavirus cases in Gujarat, 27 deaths
Gujarat reported 540 newcoronavirus positive cases on Friday, taking the total to 26,198, the health department said. With 27 COVID-19 patients dying, death toll due to the pandemic rose to 1,619, it said.
On the other hand, 340 patients recovered during the day, taking the number of patients who were discharged from hospital to 18,167.The state has now 6,412 active cases, with 67 patients put on ventilators. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Balram Bhargava, has directed all states to ramp up testing for #COVID19 in containment zones and hospitals. (ANI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Balram Bhargava, has directed all states to ramp up testing for #COVID19 in containment zones and hospitals. (ANI)
Coronavirus in UK LIVE updates | UK sets up one-billion pounds catch-up fund for schools
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday announced a new one-billion pounds COVID-19 catch uppackage of measures to tackle the impact of lost teaching time as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.
The most disadvantaged pupils in England will have access to tutors through a 350-million pounds National Tutoring Programme over the year from September.
Primary and secondary schools across England will also be given 650 million pounds to spend on one-to-one or group tuition for any pupils they think need it to catch up on lost classes. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE updates | Kerala COVID-19 tally inching towards 3000 mark, 118 new cases
The COVID-19 infection tally in Kerala is inching towards the 3,000 mark with 118 new cases being reported onFriday, the highest single day spike, while 1.32 lakh people are under observation in various districts.
With the addition of the fresh cases, 2912 people have been infected by the pandemic, while 1380 people are under treatment and 1509 have recovered, including 96 who were cured and discharged today, Health minister K K Shailaja said. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE updates | CAF man posted outside Chattisgarh CM's house tests positive
A Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF)personnel posted on security duty at the official residence of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in Raipur tested positive for
novel coronavirus on Friday, officials here said. He was deployed outside the western gate of the CM's residence and has been hospitalised, a government release said.
"There was no direct connection of the personnel with security staff deployed inside the premises and visitors to the CM house. This security personnel (posted outside the gate) did not enter inside the CM's residence," it said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE updates | AP reports 465 COVID-19 cases, four deaths
The rapid pace of coronavirusspread in Andhra Pradesh continued as the largest number of 465 cases were added in a day, taking the state's aggregate to 7,961 on Friday.
The Covid-19 death toll mounted to 96 with four fresh casualties, according to the latest bulletin.While two patients died in Krishna district, one succumbed in Prakasam. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates | Delhi Police DCP tests positive for COVID-19
A Delhi Police DCP on Friday tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.The deputy commissioner of police is currently under home quarantine. Three members of his staff have been sent for home isolation, a senior police officer said. The DCP's report came back positive for COVID-19 on Friday, the officer said. Earlier, two IPS-rank officers of the Delhi Police had tested positive for COVID-19. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh LIVE updates | 24 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Himachal Pradesh, tally crosses 600
Twenty-four more people tested COVID-19 positive in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, taking the total number of cases reported in the state so far to 620.Of the fresh cases, 10 were reported from Hamirpur district, eight from Kangra and six from Solan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said. So far, seven people have died of the disease in the state. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates |
No more home quarantine in Delhi, all COVID-19 patients to be sent to government facility, say sources (NDTV)
Coronavirus research | MMR vaccine might offer protection against worst COVID-19 complications, scientists say
The administration of a vaccine unrelated to the novel coronavirus, such as the one used for measles, mumps, rubella, or MMR, may serve as a preventive measure against the worst disease complications of COVID-19, scientists say.
Researchers, including those from the Louisiana State University in the US, said live attenuated vaccines, which are made using weakened strains of a disease causing pathogen, provide nonspecific protection against lethal infections. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Nagaland LIVE updates | 5 new COVID-19 cases in Nagaland, tally rises to 198
Nagaland reported five newCOVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the states tally to 198, Health and Family Welfare minister S Pangnyu said. Sixteen COVID-19 patients recovered on Friday, taking the total number of recovered patients to 125, officials said, adding that the recovery rate in the state is 63.13 percent.
Of the total 198 COVID-19 cases, 73 are active as 125 people have recovered from the disease. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE updates |
Uttarakhand Chief MinisterTrivendra Singh Rawat has sanctioned an amount of Rs 11.25 crore for purchasing 3 testing machines for Dehradun, Haldwani and Srinagar medical colleges to increase COVID19 testing in the state. (ANI)
Coronavirus in Myanmar LIVE updates | Myanmar reports 23 coronavirus cases in migrants deported from Thailand
Myanmar reported 23 cases of coronavirus infection on Friday among a group of people held in quarantine there after being deported from Thailand. The health ministry said in a statement the group had tested positive while in a quarantine center in the southeastern Kayin state.
Thant Zin Aung, a lawmaker for Myanmar's Myawaddy township, which borders Thailand, said all 23 had been deported to Myanmar from Thailand on June 8. They had been in a Thai detention center close to the Malaysia border over visa violations, he said. At least some had earlier been detained in Malaysia. (Reuters)
COVID-19 in jails: Have come up with guidelines, Maharashtra tells HC
The Maharashtra government toldBombay High Court on Friday that it had come up with a set of draft guidelines for providing medical safeguards to prison
inmates across the state in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni told a bench led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta that prison authorities will conduct daily thermal screening for all inmates, and those whoshow symptoms of coronavirus will be quarantined. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE updates | UP records highest single-day spike of 809 COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 16,594
Uttar Pradesh on Friday recorded the highest single-day spike of 809 coronavirus cases, with the tally rising to 16,594 in the state, officials said. The death toll due to COVID-19 mounted to 507 after 19 fresh fatalities were reported from different districts of the state, they said.
The previous highest single-day spike in cases was on Thursday when the state recorded 604 cases."Of the total infected people, 9,995 have been discharged from hospitals after recovery. The number of active cases in the state stands at 6,092," Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates | Delhi seeks volunteers to fight coronavirus pandemic
In view of surging COVID-19 cases in the city, the Delhi government will rope in NGOs, civil society organisations, NCC and NSS cadets and scouts for survey of coronavirus suspects, and surveillance and management of isolation cases.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to NGOs and individuals to join the fight against COVID-19 in large numbers. "Delhi will fight Corona together. I appeal to all NGOs and individuals to join in this effort on a large scale," he tweeted.
Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev said in an order issued on Thursday that a web portal and dashboard will be developed for registration of NGOs, civil society organisations and individual volunteers for helping the district administration.The volunteers need to be at least 18 years of age, physically fit and free from COVID-19.
"Considering the rising number of COVID-19 in NCT of Delhi, it has been felt necessary to involve NGOs, CSOs, individual volunteers, NCC cadets, NSS cadets, scouts etc for survey of COVID suspect cases, and surveillance and management of isolation cases and to establish a government-NGO coordination," said the order. (PTI)
Coronavirus impact | One in 5 consumers in Mumbai, Bengaluru anxious about finances due to COVID-19: Survey
One in every five consumers surveyed in Mumbai and Bengaluru is feeling anxious and barely coping when it comes to finances as a result of COVID-19, a report claimed.Nearly 64 per cent of consumers surveyed are concerned about their mental health, a Swiss Re COVID-19 Consumer Survey showed.
The findings are based on a survey of 1,000 residents in Mumbai and Bangalore by the Swiss Re Group, a global reinsurer. The survey was conducted by global market research company Ipsos in the last week of May 2020. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE updates | Uttarakhand reports 25 fresh COVID-19 cases; tally now 2,127
Uttarakhand reported 25 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the state's tally to 2,127, a state health department bulletin here said.Almora district reported 11 fresh cases, Haridwar seven, Dehradun four and Tehri three, it said.
Most of the new patients have a travel history to Delhi NCR and Maharashtra, the bulletin said. With the additional 25 cases, the number of COVID-19 cases in the state has risen to 2,127, out of which 1,423 have recovered, 26 have died and 15 have migrated out of the state. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates | Pune records 515 new COVID-19 cases; tally at 13,750
With the detection of 515 freshcases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the count in Maharashtra's Pune district has reached 13,750, a health official said on Friday. Apart from this, at least 12 deaths were reported in the district, taking the toll here to 552, the official said.
Of the 515 new cases, 451 were detected in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits and 33 were recorded from Pimpri-Chinchwad, he said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates |
Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain being shifted to Saket's Max Hospital, where he will be administered plasma therapy for COVID19. (ANI)
Coronavirus in UK LIVE updates | UK coronavirus alert downgraded from Level 4 to 3
The UK's coronavirus alert level has been downgraded from four to three on Friday, a move hailed by the government as a big momentin its pandemic fight.
Under level three of a five-level alert system, the virus is now considered to be "in general circulation" and therefore allow for a "gradual relaxation of restrictions" to ease the lockdown further.
Previously, at level four, the transmission of the deadly virus was considered "high or rising exponentially". The UK moving to a lower alert level is a big moment for the country, and a real testament to the British people's determination to beat this virus,said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Britain LIVE updates | South Asians in Britain most likely to die from coronavirus: Study
South Asians are at greater risk of dying from COVID-19 when hospitalised with pre-existing diabetes as the biggest factor behind the higher death rate, a new UK study revealed on Friday. The Ethnicity and Outcomes from COVID-19' study is among the most comprehensive ethnicity-related studies involving 27 institutions, including universities and public health organisations across the UK, and 30,693 people admitted to 260 hospitals.
Its analysis found that the South Asian ethnic group was most vulnerable to the coronavirus and the findings have been passed on to the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). (PTI)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates |
COVID-infected Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain's condition deteriorates, oxygen level dips, being shifted to ICU. Jain has also been diagnosed with pneumonia, PTI has reported, quoting officials.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates |
Radha Soami Satsang Beas centre will be a COVID care centre with 10,000 beds out of which 10% will be oxygenated beds. We are working on its air conditioning. The cardboard beds are lightweight, reusable and have 2 years of warranty: South Delhi District Magistrate BM Mishra(ANI)
Coronavirus in Tripura LIVE updates | 20 fresh COVID-19 cases in Tripura; count rises to 1,159
Twenty more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura, taking the state's tally to 1,159, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has said.Nine out of 130 samples and 11 out of 1,250 samples have tested positive for COVID-19, Deb said in two separate tweets on Thursday.
Of the 20 new cases, five were reported in Khowai, four in Unokoti, three each in Sepahijala, West and North districts and one each in Dhalai and Gomati districts, he said, adding that most of the new patients have a travel history. (PTI)
Panel set up by Amit Shah recommends fixing cost of COVID isolation, ICU beds in pvt hospitals: MHA
A high-powered committee, set up by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has recommended fixing the cost of a COVID-19 isolation bed in private hospitals in Delhi in the range of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and an ICU bed with a ventilator at Rs 15,000-Rs 18,000 per day, the Home Ministry said on Friday.
The committee, under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog member V K Paul, was constituted on Sunday to ensure the availability of 60 per cent beds by private hospitals at lower rates and fix the rate of coronavirus testing and treatment.
"The committee has recommended Rs 8000-10000, 13000-15000 & 15000-18000 including PPE costs for isolation bed, ICUs without & with ventilator respectively to all hospitals as compared to the current charges of Rs 24000-25000, 34000-43000 & 44000-54000 (excluding PPE cost)," a Home Ministry spokesperson said in a tweet. (PTI)
SC to ask states to set up expert panels to ensure proper care to COVID-19 patients in hospital
The Supreme Court Friday said it would direct states to set up expert panels and on installing CCTV cameras in hospitals to ensure proper treatment to COVID-19 patients, while asking the Centre to take decision on the issue of different charges being levied in different states for coronavirus tests.
Seeking uniform COVID testing charges, the top court said that in some states it was Rs 2,200, while in others it was fixed at Rs 4,500. It however, left the issue to be decided by the Centre. In the hearing conducted via video-conferencing, a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah said that all states should constitute a panel of experts for inspecting hospitals to ensure proper care of COVID-19 patients. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Germany LIVE updates | 770 new cases in Germany, highest jump in month
Germany's disease control center reported the highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases in a month, as positive tests from an outbreak at a slaughterhouse enter the statistics.The Robert Koch Institute listed 770 new cases Friday, taking its total tally since the start of the outbreak to 188,534. It was the biggest daily increase since May 20. (AP)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | SC takes note of different COVID-19 testing charge, asks Centre to decide
The Supreme Court Friday took note of the differences in COVID-19 testing charges in various states and asked the Centre to decide on the issue, and said all states should set up panel of experts to inspect hospitals to ensure proper care the patients.
A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah, which would pass the order later, observed during the hearing that there should be uniformity in COVID-19 testing charge in all states. It indicated however that the court will not venture into the fixation of the charges which will be taken care of by the Centre.
It said the court may also consider passing an order for installation of CCTVs in hospitals to ensure monitoring of patient care. (Inputs from PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
Justice Ashok Bhushan said there should be uniformity in the rates of COVID-19 tests in the entire country. This issue must be addressed. (Inputs from LiveLaw)
Coronavirus News LIVE Updates | Face masks, physical distancing more effective in preventing COVID-19 than face shields, says Lancet study
A new study has found that the use of face masks, eye protection and maintaining a physical distance is a lot more effective than face shields in reducing the chances of transmission of the coronavirus.
“Face mask use could result in a large reduction in risk of infection with stronger associations with N95 or similar respirators compared with disposable surgical masks or similar such as reusable 12-16-layer cotton masks,” theLancet study, funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO), stated.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates |
Chief Minister Yediyurappa'soffice shut after staff's kin tests COVID-19 positiveKarnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's office-cum-residence in Bengaluru was shut for sanitisation on Friday after an employee's relative tested positive for coronavirus.
According to sources, a woman staff working at 'Krishna', the office-cum-residence of Yediyurappa did not turn up for duty for two days after her husband was infected by the virus.
"Her husband has been tested positive and not the woman, but still as a precautionary measure the entire building has been sanitised," an official told PTI.
Yediyurappaconducted all the important meetings of the day at the Vidhana Soudha instead of 'Krishna', sources said.
Similarly, the Divisional office of the Bengaluru Railway Division was closed on Friday for disinfection after an employee was tested positive for coronavirus. (Inputs from PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | GoAir operates first Vande Bharat Mission flight; third private carrier to assist in repatriation
Low-cost airline GoAir on June 18 operated its first under the Vande Bharat Mission to get back Indians stuck abroad. The Wadia family-owned airline is now the third private carrier to participate in the Mission, which has been otherwise dominated by national carrier Air India and its unit, Air India Express.
GoAir's maiden flight flew from Kuwait to Jaipur, via Ahmedabad.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates |
The meeting between Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and officials has been rescheduled to 5 pm.
