Coronavirus News Highlights: India is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 2.97 crore confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 3,81,903 deaths. A total of 2,84,91,670 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. There are 8,26,740 active COVID-19 cases in the country, which comprises 2.78 percent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's recovery rate now stands at 95.93 percent. Globally, more than 17.69 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 38.30 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 drug 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 26.55 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Cumulative vaccine coverage exceeds 26.86 cr, over 5 cr doses given in 18-44 age group
The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country so far has crossed 26.86 crore of which five crore were given to beneficiaries in the age group of 18 to 44 years, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. In this 18 to 44 year age group, 18,94,803 were given the first dose of a vaccine and 88,017 the second shot on Thursday. In total, 4,93,56,276 people of this age group in 37 states and Union Territories have received their first dose and 10,58,514 their second dose since the beginning of the third phase of the vaccination drive. Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have administered the first dose to more than 10 lakh beneficiaries in the 18 to 44 year age group, the ministry said. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has reached 26,86,65,914 according to a 7 pm provisional report.
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Jharkhand reports 146 new COVID cases, 443 discharges, and 3 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 1,946
Total discharges: 3,37,088
Death toll: 5,095
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 9830 fresh COVID19 cases, 5890 discharges, and 236 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases 1,39,960
Case tally 59,44,710
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Karnataka government postpones conduct of local body elections, in view of COVID-19
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Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announces Rs 1,690-cr COVID livelihood aid for poor
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced a Rs 1,690.46-croreassistance package for the people from the economically andsocially weaker sections who are facing difficulties in makingends meet due to the ongoing lockdown in the state. Under the package, registered construction workerswill get an additional Rs 1,500 each, landless farmers willget Rs 1,000 extra, MGNREGA workers will receive Rs 50 more per daywhile food security beneficiaries will get additional 5 kg rice.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Mumbai reports 666 new COVID19 cases
Mumbai reports 666 new COVID19 cases, 741 recoveries & 20 deaths in the last 24 hours; active cases at 14,807
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Chandigarh reports 32 new cases, 3 deaths and 96 discharges today; the total number of active cases in the Union Territory is 432
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Second COVID wave shaved off Rs 2 lakh cr output: RBI assessment
The devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in April-May is estimated to have cost the nation Rs 2 lakh crore in terms of output, revealed an assessment made by the Reserve Bank. The second wave's toll is mainly in terms of the hit to domestic demand on account of regional and specific containment rather than a nation-wide lockdown, it said."The impact of the second wave is hence estimated at about Rs 2 lakh crore of lost 2021-22 output," said a recent article on the 'State of Economy', written by functionaries of the central bank. Moreover, this wave has fanned into smaller cities and villages, sapping rural demand. Moreover, this wave has fanned into smaller cities and villages, sapping rural demand.
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Punjab reports 726 new cases, 32 deaths and 1,255 discharges today; case tally at 5,90,556
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Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors extend support to protest by Indian Medical Association tomorrow in demand for a central law to protect doctors against violence
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Korean govt allows quarantine exemption for those vaccinated with WHO Approved vaccines
The new policy of Korean govt allowing quarantine exemption for fully vaccinated in overseas countries will be applied for visitors with an appropriate visa for visiting immediate family members, or purpose of academics, public interest or important businesses. Quarantine exemption will be applied for those who are vaccinated with 7 WHO-approved vaccines: Embassy of Korea in India
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656 new cases, 1,426 recoveries and 9 deaths reported in Jammu and Kashmir today. The number of active cases in the UT is 10,602
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Karnataka reports 5,983 new cases, 138 deaths and 10,685 recoveries today; active case tally at 1,46,726
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Tamil Nadu government denies underreporting COVID-19 deaths after NGO claims 8% higher toll
A report published by a Tamil Nadu-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has restarted discussions on underreporting of COVID-19 deaths during the peak of India's second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.This Chennai-based NGO Arappor Iyakkam has collected data from six government-run hospitals and concluded in its report that the actual number of COVID-19 deaths in Tamil Nadu (TN) has been far higher than that reported by the state.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Goa sees 254 COVID-19 cases; six more fatalities
Goa's coronavirus caseload reached 1,63,612, after 254 persons tested positive for the infection on Thursday, an official from the state health department said. At least six patients died of the infection, while 468 were discharged from hospitals during the day, raising the toll to 2,969 and the count of recoveries to 1,56,819, he said. The coastal state is now left with 3,824 active cases, the official said. With the addition of 2,953 swab samples tested during the day, the total number of tests conducted in the state has gone up to 8,78,491, he added. Goa's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 1,63,612, new cases 254, death toll 2,969, discharged 1,56,819, active cases 3,824, samples tested till date 8,78,491. (PTI)
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COVAXIN maker Bharat Biotech says 'news reports on Bharat Biotech submitting Phase-3 data to WHO is incorrect and lacks any evidence'.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Fortis says only 1% of its workforce who received two COVID-19 jabs required ICU/ventilator support
Fortis Healthcare, one of India's largest private hospital chain on June 17 said that amongst those who turned COVID-19 positive post-vaccination, just 1 percent of fully vaccinated healthcare workers developed severe illness requiring ICU care or ventilator support.Fortis conducted a real world evidence study to assess around 16,000 healthcare workers with Fortis network who had been administered both first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine between January 2021 and May 2021.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
COVAXIN maker Bharat Biotech says 'news reports on Bharat Biotech submitting Phase-3 data to WHO is incorrect and lacks any evidence'
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 25% of new black fungus patients have no COVID record: Indore doctor
As much as 25 to 30 per cent of newly admitted mucormycosis or `black fungus'' patients have no record of previous coronavirus infection, a senior doctor said here on Thursday. These persons could have been asymptomatic coronavirus patients who did not undergo testing, he added. Earlier, doctors had said that most of the patients suffering from black fungus were found to be COVID-19 survivors. "At least 25 to 30 per cent of new patients of black fungus have no past record of suffering from COVID-19. Earlier the number of such patients (those without COVID history) was small," said Dr Sanjay Dixit, dean of the Government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College here. "As per our studies, out of 100 COVID-19-affectd persons, 30 to 40 have no symptoms," Dr Dixit said. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Milkha Singh "stable and improving"
Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh is "stable and improving" under the constant supervision of a medical team at the PGIMER here after having recovered from COVID-19, which he contracted last month."He is stable and improving. He is constantly being monitored by a medical team," PGIMER officials told PTI on Thursday.The 91-year-old was on Wednesday shifted out of COVID ICU to another section of the PGIMER hospital, a statement from his family had said describing his condition as "stable".Another statement issued by the family on Thursday said, "Milkha ji continues to battle and we remain hopeful".Milkha's wife Nirmal Kaur (85), who had also contracted the virus days after her husband tested positive, passed away at a private hospital in Mohali on Sunday due to COVID-related complications.Kaur was a former national women's volleyball team captain.Milkha was admitted to PGIMER on June 3 after his oxygen levels dipped at home following treatment at the Fortis hospital in Mohali for a week.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | RDIF says Sputnik V will soon offer booster shot that's adjusted to work against Delta variant
Russian sovereign fund RDIF on June 17 said its COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V will soon offer a booster shot, adjusted to work against the Delta variant of coronavirus, to other vaccine manufacturers.Sputnik V uses heterogeneous boosting with two shots by two different adenoviral vectors Ad5 and Ad26. The adenoviral vector Ad26 is used for prime-boost, and Ad5 is used as a booster dose. RDIF didn't clarify whether it would be adjusting the Ad5 vector against the Delta variant.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | The possible third wave of COVID-19 unlikely to affect children much, as per WHO-AIIMS survey
The SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity rate among children was high compared to the adult population in the survey, which was conducted in five selected states with a total sample size of 10,000 by WHO-AIIMS.Data of 4,500 participants were taken for the results of the time of midterm analysis from four states of India and more results are likely to come in the next two to three months.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Slovakia's Denis Vavro tests positive for coronavirus
Slovakia defender Denis Vavro and a member of the team’s coaching staff have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the European Championship match against Sweden, coach Stefan Tarkovic said Thursday.
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Kerala reports 12,469 new COVID-19cases, 13, 614 recoveries and 88 deaths today.
Active cases: 1,08,560
Death toll: 11,743
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Fortis Healthcare says COVID vaccines protected 92% vaccinated healthcare workers
A leading hospital chain, Fortis Healthcare on Thursday said 92 per cent of the fully vaccinated healthcare workers developed only mild COVID-19 infections. "The evidence-based study highlights that 92 per cent of the fully vaccinated healthcare workers amongst those who acquired infection post-vaccination developed only mild COVID-19 infection, largely recovering under home care, despite a surge in serious infections during the second wave of the pandemic," Fortis said. The study was to understand the role of vaccines and severity of COVID-19 infection post-vaccination. The study further found that, amongst those who turned COVID-19 positive post-vaccination, just one per cent of fully vaccinated healthcare workers developed severe illness requiring ICU care/ventilator support.According to a statement issued by Fortis, the study assessed around 16,000 healthcare workers who had been administered both first and second doses of vaccine between January 2021 and May 2021."The overall findings of the study emphasise that the vaccines available in India for COVID-19 are effective and do offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 virus," the statement read.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | PETA seeks DGCI direction to stop Bharat Biotech from using newborn calf serum in Covaxin production
Animal rights NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India wrote to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on June 17, requesting that Newborn Calf Serum (NBCS) used to produce Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin be replaced with an animal-free chemical solution.In a letter addressed to DCGI’s Dr VG Somani, PETA sought directions to vaccine manufacturers to consider its proposal to use a non-animal alternative for vaccine production.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 21.15 lakh domestic air passengers in May, 63% lower than April: DGCA
Around 21.15 lakh domestic passengerstravelledby air in May, which is 63 per cent lower than the 57.25 lakh whotravelledin April, the country's aviation regulator said on Thursday.According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 78.22 lakh peopletravelledwithin the country by air in March.The drop in domestic air traffic in May was due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that had badly hit the country and its aviation sector.WhileIndiGocarried 11.69 lakh passengers in May, a 55.3-per cent share of the domestic market,SpiceJetflew 1.99 lakh passengers, accounting for a 9.4-per cent share of the market, according to data shared by theDGCA.Air India, GO FIRST (previously known asGoAir),VistaraandAirAsiaIndia carried 4.29 lakh, 1.38 lakh, 97,000 and 64,000 passengers respectively in May, the data showed.The occupancy rate or load factor of the six major Indian airlines was between 39.3 per cent and 64 per cent in May, it stated.The occupancy rate atSpiceJetwas 64 per cent in May, theDGCAnoted.The occupancy rates forIndiGo,Vistara, GO FIRST, Air India andAirAsiaIndia were 51.2 per cent, 40.9 per cent, 63.3 per cent, 39.3 per cent and 44.4 per cent respectively, it added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Jharkhand reports 190 new COVID-19 cases, 3 fresh fatalities
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,43,983 on Thursday as 190 more people tested positive for the infection, while three fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death toll to 5,092, a health bulletin said.EastSinghbhumdistrict reported the highest number of new cases at 35, followed by Ranchi (20) andHazaribag(18), it said.One death each was reported in Ranchi,GoddaandDeoghardistricts.DumkaandKhuntidid not report any new case, while no fresh fatality was registered in 22 of the 24 districts of the state, it said.The number of active cases in the state dipped to 2,246, while 3,36,645 people have recovered from the infection so far, including 587 in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | ICC launches fundraiser to support UNICEF’S COVID-19 relief efforts in South Asia
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday launched a fundraising campaign to support UNICEF's emergency COVID-19 response in South Asia.The campaign was launched through ICC's Cricket for Good initiative at the inaugural World Test Championship Final being played in Southampton between India and New Zealand from June 18.COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on South Asia, which is home to nearly two billion people, and more than a quarter of the world's children.The sheer scale and speed of the latest surge of COVID-19 across the region has outstripped countries' abilities to provide life-saving treatment and essential services.The region has to date recorded more than 30 million COVID-19 cases and over 400,000 deaths. The virus has had a direct impact on children, with many more falling ill than before.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Bihar man jailed, fined Rs 9.73 lakh for flouting Bahrain COVID-19 rules; family approaches MEA
Mohammad Khalid, a 34-year-old native of Bihar, who has been working in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the past eight years, has reportedly been sentenced to three years imprisonment and slapped a fine of 5,000 Bahraini dinars or Rs 9.73 lakh approximately.The incident came to light after the Bihar man’s brother Amjed Ullah Khan wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and sought Dr S Jaishankar’s help to free Khalid.
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AIIMS, Delhi says it has resumed 'routine inpatient admission including elective surgeries in general wards as well as private wards inAIIMSHospital and allcentres'
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Govt takes steps to enhance availability of Amphotericin B; 6.67 lakh vials allocated to states so far
The government is taking various steps to enhance the availability ofAmphotericinB in the country to cater to the sudden increase in demand for the medication, which is used in the treatment ofMucormycosis(black fungus), Chemicals andFertilisersMinistry said in a release on Thursday.The government has been so far able to allot over 6.67 lakh vials ofAmphotericinB to states and Union Territories (UTs) by augmenting production and initiating imports."Government has been able tomobiliseover 6.67 lakh vials of theAmphotericinB for patients in the states andUTsand Central Health Institutes, in addition to other drugs such asAmphotericinDeoxycholateandPosaconazolebeing used for the treatment of this disease," the ministry said.In order to boost domestic manufacturing, the government is continuously engaging with the manufacturers to resolve their issues related to raw materials, it added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi reports 158 new cases, 10 deaths and 343 recoveries
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delta variant infections doubling every 11 days in England, study finds
The number of people infected with the coronavirus is increasing rapidly in England, doubling every 11 days, which coincides with the Delta variant of COVID-19 becoming dominant in the country, a new study reports on Thursday.The Imperial College London led Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission (REACT-1) analysis, based on over 100,000 home swab tests taken between May 20 and June 7, estimates that 0.15 percent of people have the deadly virus, or roughly 1 in 670.
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Serum Institute of India (SII) is planning to start the clinical trials of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine for children in July, reported news agency ANI citing sources.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Plea in SC seeks ex-gratia compensation to kin of those succumbing to COVID-19 side effects
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and states to provide ex-gratia compensation of Rs four lakh to the family members of those who have succumbed to the side effects or post COVID-19 diseases, including mucormycosis. The petition has referred to section 12 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, which said that national authority shall recommend guidelines for the minimum standards of relief to be provided to persons affected by disaster, which shall include ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Over 2.18 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses still available with states, UTs: Govt
More than2.18croreCOVID-19 vaccine doses are available with states and union territories, and over 56,70,350more are in the pipeline and will be received by them in the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.More than27.28crore(27,28,31,900) vaccine doses have been provided to the states andUTsso far by the government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category, it said.Of this, the total consumption, including wastage, is25,10,03,417doses (as per data available at 8 am on Thursday), the ministry said, adding, "2,18,28,483 COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states andUTsto be administered.""Furthermore, more than56,70,350vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days," it said.As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the central government has been supporting the states andUTsby providing them COVID-19 vaccines for free, the ministry said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kerala lockdown curbs eased in restricted manner, public transport opens
After 40 days of COVID-19 induced lockdown, Kerala on Thursday limped back to normal as the government eased the curbs allowing shops to open in a restricted manner and permitting public transport on a limited basis.In the major towns, where the Test Positivity rate (TPR) was less, people could be seen venturing out as the state was under lockdown since May 8.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | New coronavirus variant detected in Bhopal, investigation on: Madhya Pradesh minister
In a report by NCDC's (National Centre for Disease Control), a new variant has been detected in a positive case in Bhopal. We are investigating & conducting contact tracing tominimisethe infection spread, says MadhyaPradesh Medical Education MinisterVishwasSarang.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Britain considers vaccine passports to restart international travel
Britain is looking at easing travel restrictions, including allowing those who are double vaccinated against COVID-19 to enjoy a foreign holiday without intrusive red tape, a step that indicates vaccine passports are firmly back on the agenda.Countries in the European Union last week agreed to an easing of travel restrictions over summer that will allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests or quarantines and broaden the list of EU regions from which it is safe to travel.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Tokyo coronavirus emergency to end on June 20, month before Olympics: PM Yoshihide Suga
A virus state of emergency in Tokyo and several other regions will be lifted on June 20, just over a month before the Olympics, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Thursday. But in its place the government will implement so-called "quasi-emergency" measures in the capital and several other areas until July 11, limiting alcohol sales and opening hours for bars and restaurants. (AFP)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates | Madhya Pradesh village achieves target of giving first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible residents
The panchayat of Mehgavan Pariyat village has managed to administer the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all its eligible residents, including two centenarians, making it the first village in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district to be completely covered in the inoculation drive, a senior official said today. The village, which comes under Panagar block, has 1,002 registered voters, of whom 956 have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine till yesterday, while the remaining 46 persons are those who have recently recovered from the infection, pregnant women and those living outside the village, the official from the public relations department said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Odisha logs 3,631 new COVID-19 cases, 39 fresh fatalities
Odisha recorded 3,631 new COVID-19 cases today, which pushed the tally to 8,66,692,while 39 fresh fatalities raised the toll to 3,471, said a senior health department official in Bhubaneswar.Lockdown curbs were eased across the state, starting 5 am, after taking into consideration the average testpositivity rate (TPR) which has dropped to 5.72 percent, the official said.Districts reporting below 10 percent TPR were given more relaxations, he said. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
"The Sputnik V vaccine will be available in nine more cities across India, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Baddi, Kolhapur and Miryalaguda," Sputnik V tweeted today.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Over 2.18 crore vaccine doses still available with states: Centre
More than 27.28 crore (27,28,31,900) vaccine doses have been provided to states and union territories (UTs) so far, through Centre (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category. Of this, the total consumption, including wastages is 25,10,03,417 doses (as per data available at 8 am today).
More than 2.18 crore (2,18,28,483) COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered.
Furthermore, more than 56,70,350 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states and UTs within the next 3 days.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | COVID-19 tally in Mizoram crosses 16,000-mark with 236 new cases
The COVID-19 tally in Mizoram crossed the 16,000-mark today as 236 more people,including four security personnel and 40 children, tested positive for the disease in the state, an official said.The fresh infections pushed the coronavirus caseload in the northeastern state to 16,135, he said. Two more fatalities due to COVID-19 raised the death toll to 74, the official said. (PTI)
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German biotech CureVac NV has said that its COVID-19 vaccine was only 47 percent effective in a late-stage trial, missing the study's main goal and throwing in doubt the potential delivery of hundreds of millions of doses to the European Union. The disappointing efficacy of the shot known as CVnCoV emerged from an interim analysis based on 134 COVID-19 cases in the study with about 40,000 volunteers in Europe and Latin America. As CureVac's only major supply deals, the European Union in November secured up to 405 million doses of the vaccine, of which 180 million are optional. That was followed by a memorandum of understanding with Germany for another 20 million doses.
Read more | CureVac fails in pivotal COVID-19 vaccine trial with 47% efficacy
