Coronavirus News Highlights: India logged 43,393 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,07,52,950, while the active cases have declined to 4,58,727, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll has climbed to 4,05,939 with 911 fresh fatalities. The active cases comprise 1.49 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.19 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. A decrease of 1,977 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the countr As many as 17,90,708 tests were conducted on Thursday taking the total cy to 42,70,16,605, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.42 per cent. It has been less than three per cent for 18 consecutive days, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 2.36 per cent, according to the health ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,98,88,284, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.32 per cent, the data stated. Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far has reached 36.89 crore under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Mumbai reports 600 COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths
Mumbai reported 600 new coronavirus cases and 13 deaths on Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The caseload in the country''s financial capital rose to 7,26,637 and death toll reached 15,599, it said. After reconciliation of data, 787 cases were removed from the cumulative figure of infections, it said. On Thursday, Mumbai had reported 540 COVID-19 cases and 13 fatalities.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 8,992 new COVID-19 cases, 200 deaths; 10,458 recover
Maharashtra reported 8,992 new coronavirus cases and 200 fresh fatalities on Friday, while 10,458 patients recovered from the infection, a state health department official said. The official said with this, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the state surged to 61,40,968, while the total fatalities rose to 1,25,034. The state reported a decrease in the daily COVID-19 cases, but the fatalities rose as compared to Thursday, when it had reported 9,114 new infections and 121 deaths.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | ICMR to conduct clinical trial for evaluation of COVID-19 therapy with Oxford University
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has proposed to conduct a clinical trial for ''randomised evaluation of COVID-19 therapy'' along with the University of Oxford and an expression of intent for participation in it has been sought from hospitals.
The trial -- ''India-UK RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 therapy)'' -- will be a multi-centre, adaptive platform trial on Covid patients, ICMR said on Friday.
"ICMR, Delhi, along with the University of Oxford is proposing to conduct a multi-centre, adaptive platform trial on COVID-19 patients, titled ''India-UK RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 therapy)," it said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 2,290 new COVID-19 cases, 68 deaths in Karnataka
Karnataka reported 2,290 new COVID-19 cases and 68 deaths on Friday, taking the total number of infections to 28,67,158 and toll to 35,731.
The day also saw 3,045 discharges, continuing to outnumber the fresh cases, taking the total number of recoveries in the state so far to 27,93,498, a health department bulletin said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | In Mumbai, no COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday too due to dose shortage
The COVID-19 vaccination drive will remain suspended at civic and government-run centres in Mumbai on Saturday due to a shortage of doses and no inoculation will take place on Sunday on account of weekly off of staffers, the BMC said on Friday. On Friday, too, the drive remained suspended in BMC and Maharashtra government-run centres in the metropolis due paucity of doses. According to a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) statement, the inoculation drive will remain suspended on Saturday due to a shortage of vaccines, while it will be closed on Sunday because of weekly off. In the statement, the civic body said the vaccination drive will resume once it receives a fresh stock of vaccines.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | WFH seems to have become ‘work from Himachal', tourists must follow Covid rules: Police chief
Work from home, a factor of life in the Covid pandemic, seems to have become "work from Himachal Pradesh" with thousands of people pouring into the hill state to escape the confines of their homes and the heat, says Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu.While the state's economy is seeing a welcome uptick, the crowds, not just in popular destinations like Shimla and Manali but also in lesser-known towns such as Naggar and Jibhi, are a cause of concern, he said, calling for Covid appropriate behaviour from tourists.The tourist surge has added another layer of responsibility for the police force, which has put up checkpoints at various entry and exit points into towns to ensure that Covid norms are being followed."With the prolonged work from home (WFH) culture being adopted by many companies and multinationals, we are seeing that it has almost turned out to be work from Himachal Pradesh," Kundu told PTI.It is good for the economy of the state, he said. “But at the same time, we have to remain vigilant that people are following guidelines including wearing of masks and maintaining social distance," he added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | One more death, 62 new cases in Rajasthan
Rajasthan recorded one more COVID-19-related fatality on Friday, taking the death toll to 8,943, while 62 new cases took the infection tally to 9,53,018, according to an official report issued.Of the new cases, the maximum 16 were reported from Jaipur, while seven cases each were reported from Alwar and Dausa, it said.A total of 9,43,260 people have recovered from the infection, it said, adding the number of active cases in the state presently stands at 815.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | J&K reports 261 more COVID-19 cases, one new coronavirus-related death
Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded 261 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the number of infected persons to 3,18,284, while a lone death took the toll to 4,354, officials said.Out of the fresh cases, 115 were from Jammu division and 146 from Kashmir division of the Union territory, the officials said.They said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 59 cases followed by Doda district that recorded 34 cases.The number of active cases has dropped to 3,300 in the UT, while 3,10,630 patients have recovered so far, the officials said.
Coronavirus in Gujarat LIVE Updates |
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani increased the age limit of Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana, from 18 years to 21 years. A monthly stipend of Rs 4,000 will be provided to children under the scheme whose parents have died due to COVID-19.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Punjab okays Rs 380 crore for Covid third wave preparation
The Punjab government on Friday approved a sum of Rs 380 crore that will be used to set up more oxygen plants and other necessary health infrastructure to deal with an anticipated third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.The amount approved by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh shall be spent on PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen plants, cryogenic liquid medical oxygen tanks, ambulances, amongst others.The chief minister approved Rs 380 crore to be spent by the Health and Medical Education departments in preparing for a possible third wave of the Covid pandemic, an official release said.The CM said funds have never been allowed to become a constraint in the state government''s response to Covid and they will continue to be made available even in the future, according to requirement.The state is ready for the third wave, with preparations being made for 25 per cent more patients than in the second wave, he added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Thailand imposes tougher Covid-19 curbs, including Bangkok curfew
Thai authorities announced a seven-hour night curfew across the capital Bangkok and nine provinces on Friday, along with other tougher restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.The kingdom recorded 9,276 new daily cases and 72 fatalities as it battles a severe third wave of infections that kicked off in April.An official from the government's coronavirus taskforce announced the ramped-up restrictions following an hours-long meeting on Friday.A curfew from 9 pm to 4 am will begin Monday and people should work from home.The announcement affects the capital of more than 10 million people as well as surrounding and southern provinces."We apologise for difficulties of people living in areas with maximum restrictions, but this will support disease control efficiently. Thailand will be victorious," said Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the taskforce."Unnecessary travel will be prohibited." (AFP)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | DDMA nod for colour-coded action plan to deal with possible 3rd Covid wave
To deal with a possible third wave of coronavirus, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) passed a colour-coded response action plan on Friday under which curbs will be implemented in accordance to the severity of the COVID-19 situation.At a DDMA meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, experts stressed on having 12,000 ICU beds, sufficient oxygen, drugs and ambulances to deal with another surge in cases in the city.Those who attended the meeting included Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Niti Aayog member V K Paul, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, Delhi Police Commissioner Balaji Srivastava and officials of central and state governments.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 13,563 COVID-19 cases, 130 deaths reported in Kerala
Kerala reported 13,563 fresh cases and 130 deaths on Friday, taking the total affected in the state to 30,39,029 and the toll to 14,380. Malappuram reported the highest number of cases--1,962, followed by Kozhikode with 1,494 and Kollam with 1,380 cases. "Out of those who were found infected today, 52 reached the state from outside while 12,769 contracted the disease from their contacts. The sources of infection of 685 are yet to be traced. Fifty seven health workers are also among the infected," Health minister Veena George said in a release. She said the state had tested 1,30,424 samples in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative number of specimens examined to 2,41,76,318. The test positivity rate stood at 10.4 per cent. Meanwhile, 10,454 people recuperated from the disease on Friday, taking the total number of those cured to 29,11,054.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | South Africa extends vaccinations to under-50s as Covid cases soar
South Africa announced Friday it would start vaccinating people under 50 years old as the continent's hardest-hit country buckles under a vicious third wave of Covid-19 infections driven by the Delta variant.The decision comes just two weeks after the government extended the country's struggling vaccination campaign under 60s."We are aiming to start vaccinating the 35 to 49 age group from August 1," acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane told a weekly media briefing. (AFP)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | UK economic recovery slows as more Covid curbs lifted
Britain's economy grew for a fourth month running in May on further easing of lockdown measures but the rate of expansion slowed more than expected, official data showed Friday.Gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in May as restaurants and pubs welcomed customers back indoors for the first time since the end of last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.But that was down on April's 2.0-percent growth rate. The analysts' consensus had been for a slowdown to 1.5-percent growth in May."The economy grew for the fourth consecutive month, albeit at a slower pace than seen recently... (and) remains around three percent below its pre-pandemic peak," said JonathanAthow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics at theONS.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Health Ministry:
Two cases of the Kappa COVID-19variant were detected in Uttar Pradesh. It's variant of interest, Kappa variant was earlier reported in February and March also.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh reports 14 COVID-19 deaths; lowest figure after April 15
Andhra Pradesh reported 14 COVID-19 fatalities in 24 hours ending 9 am on Friday, the lowest after April 15 during the second wave.From one lakh tests, the state reported 3,040 fresh cases of the pandemic with a positivity rate of three per cent.Also, 4,576 patients had recovered from the infection in a day, a health department bulletin said.The active cases came down further to 30,300.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar:
For tourist places, police have been asked to make sure that COVID19 guidelines are strictly implemented.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh reports 3,040 fresh COVID-19 cases, 4,576 recoveries, and 14 deaths
Active cases: 30,300
Total recoveries: 18,73,993
Death toll: 12,960
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | LG Anil Baijal directs officials to stay vigilant about Covid variants including ''Delta Plus''
Delhi Lieutenant Governor AnilBaijalon Friday directed officials to remain vigilant in view of cases of new coronavirus variants including ''Delta-Plus'' surfacing in several states in the country, sources said.Baijalalso expressed concern over people crowding markets and asked officials to ensure strict enforcement ofCovid-safetyprotocols at such places so that these areas don''t turn into super spreaders, they said.Baijalissued these instructions during a review meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).TheDDMAmeeting was attended by senior government officials along with Chief MinisterArvindKejriwal.An official source privy to the matter said issues concerning new variants and vaccination among others were discussed during theDDMAmeeting."In the meeting, concerns arising out of new coronavirus variants like Delta Plus and Lambda (a dominant strain in Peru) were discussed at length. Measures like vaccination, genome sequencing, testing, tracking and surveillance were suggested as the most effective steps to mitigate their spread," the source said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Central team of experts dispatched to Kerala to monitor Zika virus situation
A six-member central team of experts has been dispatched to Kerala to monitor theZikavirus situation and support the state government in management of cases, the Union health ministry said on Friday.The southern state has so far reported 14 cases ofZikavirus. It has been put on alert.At a press conference here, joint secretary in the health ministry LavAgarwalsaid, "There are someZikacases which have been reported from Kerala. To monitor the situation and to support the state government, a six-member team comprising public health experts, vector-borne disease experts and clinicians fromAIIMShas already been issued instructions to reach there and support the state government in terms of management ofZikathere."
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 3 journalists at Euro 2020 positive for coronavirus
Italy’s media session at the national team’s headquarters will be held entirely by video link after three journalists tested positive for COVID-19.The positive results come from tests carried out ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal match between Italy and Spain in London. Only one of the journalists has returned to Italy. The other two are still in the British capital.There is thought to be almost no risk to the players because they have all been vaccinated and are also in a bubble.There would have been only a limited number of reporters allowed into the conference room at Coverciano. Others follow remotely. (AP)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi's Gaffar and Naiwala market to remain shut for 48 hours for flouting COVID-19 norms
Delhi'sGaffarMarket andNaiwalaMarket will remain closed from 10 pm today till 10 pm of 11th July for flouting COVID-19 norms.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi reports 81 new cases, 3 deaths and 127 recoveries; positivity rate at 0.11%
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indonesia to give medics booster jab after deaths
Health workers in coronavirus-hit Indonesia will get a third booster jab using the Moderna vaccine, authorities said Friday, after several fully inoculated medics died from Covid-19.The Southeast Asian nation, battling its most serious outbreak to date driven by the Delta variant, has relied heavily on the Chinese-made Sinovac jab in its vaccine roll-out.But out of 1,000 medical workers who have died of Covid-19, more than a dozen were fully inoculated, according to the country's medical association, raising fresh concerns about Sinovac.Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the government would give 1.47 million health workers an extra jab using the vaccine made by US biotech company Moderna."The third jab will only be given to health workers, because health workers are the ones who are exposed to high levels of virus every day," he told a press conference. (AFP)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog:
Lambda variant of coronavirus is a variant of interest. We should be watchful of such variants. As of now, there is no evidence that this variant has been identified in India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Punjab lifts weekend and night curfew
Punjaballows gatherings of 100 indoors and 200 outdoors. Bars, gyms, cinema halls, restaurants, spas to re-open with staff and visitors having taken at least 1 dose each of COVID-19 vaccine.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Sikkim reports 170 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 21,965
Sikkim reported 170 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the caseload to 21,965, a health department bulletin said on Friday.East Sikkim registered 70 new cases followed by West Sikkim (53), South Sikkim (43), and North Sikkim (4).The Himalayan state now has 2,177 active cases, while 257 COVID-19 patients have migrated to other states, and 19,219 persons have recovered from the disease.The COVID-19 death toll remained unchanged at 312 as no fresh fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, it said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 most likely of natural origin, not leaked from lab: Study
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, most likely spread from an animal source to humans, and did not leak from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, according to a review of existing scientific evidence by a global team of scientists.The yet-to-be published study, posted on the pre-print server Zenodo on July 7, noted that while a laboratory accident "cannot be entirely dismissed", there currently exists zero evidence for such a lab origin of the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog:
Guidelines on vaccination for pregnant women have been issued by the ministry. Three vaccines are entitled to be used. Pregnant women should receive the vaccine, it is very important.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog:
We cannot lower our guard. A new risk is being seen at tourist spots where a gathering of crowds being seen, social distancing & mask protocol is not being followed. This is a serious cause of concern.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ministry of Health:
We need to continue to take all precautions. In the United Kingdom, Russia and Bangladesh have seen a resurgence of COVID19 cases.We are still dealing with the second wave of COVID19. We need to continue the display of COVID19 appropriatebehaviour.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ministry of Health:
There has been a rise in recoveries in the country. The recovery rate is at 97.2% today.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ministry of Health:
Daily new cases in the country continue to show a decline. There has been a decline of 8% in average daily new cases in the last week. 80% of the new cases reported from 90 districts.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Thailand imposes tougher Covid-19 curbs, including Bangkok curfew
Thai authorities announced a seven-hour night curfew across the capital Bangkok and nine provinces on Friday, along with tougher restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.The kingdom recorded 9,276 new daily cases and 72 fatalities, as it battles a severe third wave of infections that kicked off in April.An official from the government's coronavirus taskforce announced the ramp-up in restrictions following an hours-long meeting on Friday.A curfew from 9 pm to 4 am will begin Monday and people should work from home.The announcement affects the capital of more than 10 million people as well as surrounding and southern provinces."Weapologisefor difficulties of people living in areas with maximum restrictions, but this will support disease control efficiently. Thailand will be victorious," saidApisamaiSrirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the taskforce."Unnecessary travel will be prohibited." (AFP)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Sri Lanka team's data analyst tests positive for COVID-19, second case after batting coach Flower
Sri Lankan team's data analyst G TNiroshanhas tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the limited overs series against India, the country's cricket board said on Friday, a day after its batting coach Grant Flower contracted the virus.Niroshanis currently being treated as per the medical protocols."The Data Analyst of the Sri Lanka National Team, G. T.Niroshan, has tested positive forCovid19," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement."He was found to be positive, following aPCRTest carried out among the National Players, Coaches, and Support Staff yesterday, following the identification of Grant Flower asCovidPositive."Niroshanis now undergoing due medical protocols."On Thursday, Sri Lanka's batting coach Flower tested positive for COVID-19, 48 hours after the squad's arrival from England and less than a week before the home series against India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Odisha registers record 61 COVID deaths, 2,806 more cases
Odishaon Friday reported record 61 COVID-19 deaths and 2,806 more cases, a Health Department official said.The state's COVID-19 toll climbed to 4,476 with the latest deaths, he said.'This list does not reflect deaths occurring on a particular day. It gives details of past deaths for which the death audit process has been duly completed and the cause of death has been identified as due to Covid-19,' the state Health Department tweeted.Khurdaaccounted for 11 of the latest deaths, followed byBargarh,Ganjam,Mayurbhanjand Puri (six each).Besides, 53 other COVID-19 patients have succumbed due to comorbidities, the official said.The state has so far reported 9,35,136 COVID-19 cases.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Apollo study evaluates patient data of 2 yrs to assess impact on non-Covid services
Seeking to get a broader understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare delivery system, a leading private facility in Delhi has conducted an observational study based on data related to patients spanning two years, hospital authorities said on Friday.The study included a thorough observation on the impact of the pandemic on various medical and surgical specialties, since the onset of the pandemic, and compared it with the preceding pre-pandemic period (June 1, 2019-March 31, 2020).The first case of COVID-19 in Delhi was reported on March 1, 2020 and over 14.34 lakh cases have been recorded till date, as per official figures.The study is titled ''Severe impact of COVID-19 pandemic onnon-COVIDpatient care and health delivery: An observational study from a largemultispecialtyhospital of India''. It was done by Apollo hospital here, and was published in the Indian Journal of Medical Sciences in July.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dr Samiran Panda, Head, Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR:
Breastfeeding mothers should get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 without any hesitation.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Graded response plan to deal with possible third Covid wave passed by DDMA: Arvind Kejriwal
A ''Graded Response Action Plan'' to deal with a possible third wave of the coronavirus was passed in a Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting on Friday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.A Delhi government panel on managing the possible third wave of Covid has devised a colour-coded mechanism which prescribes a graded response, including the closure of most economic activities at the highest ''Red'' level alert."The ''Graded Response Action Plan'' was passed in the DDMA meeting today. No doubts will remain about when the lockdown will be imposed or when it will open. In the meeting, there was also discussion about the Delta plus variant. We have to stop this variant from spreading in Delhi, for which the government is taking all necessary steps," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Clear signs of fourth COVID-19 wave starting in Pakistan, says minister
Amid the threat of new and undetected variants of the COVID-19, the Pakistan government on July 9 said the country has witnessed "clear signs" of the fourth wave of infections. "Two weeks ago, I had tweeted that our artificial intelligence models are showing the possible emergence of a fourth wave. Now there are clear early signs of a fourth wave starting," tweeted Pakistan's Federal Minister of Planning Asad Umar.
In another tweet, the minister said field reports were showing a complete disregard of the condition of vaccination for those attending indoor weddings, and going to indoor restaurants and gyms. "If the owners of these facilities do not show responsibility and ensure compliance, there will be no choice but to shut them down," he added. He, however, ruled out the imposition of a nationwide lockdown in Pakistan. He said that despite a rise in cases, the government will not impose a complete lockdown during the fourth wave of the pandemic.
As per a Dawn report, he said that there was no proposal to impose complete lockdown during the fourth wave of coronavirus, but a proposal for smart lockdowns was on the cards. Umar's warning has come just a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that Pakistan could be hit by a fourth wave of the coronavirus if the people violated regulations. Khan issued a video message for the people as the number of new COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically recently. He urged the people to get vaccinated at the earliest. If we survive the fourth wave, we will be able to save our country, he said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | ED to probe fake COVID vaccination camps in Kolkata
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to probe the dubious COVID vaccination camps in Kolkata, sources said on Friday. The matter is at present being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police''s Detective Department, which has already arrested nine persons, including fake IAS officer Debanjan Deb who masterminded the fraud.
"The ED has filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) over the matter. The ED will probe the money laundering angle, if there is any," a source in the investigative agency said. Deb was arrested in June for masquerading as the joint commissioner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and operating dubious immunisation camps in different parts of the city. Eight of his associates were arrested during the course of the investigation as police included the charge of an attempt to murder along with other sections of the IPC against them.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | PM Narendra Modi reviews progress of oxygen augmentation, availability across country
More than 1,500 PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen plants are coming up across the country, the government said on July 9 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the progress of augmentation and availability of the life-saving gas. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a statement, said Modi asked officials to ensure that these plants are made functional at the earliest and also told them to work closely with state governments in this regard.
These upcoming oxygen plants include those being built with the contribution from the PM CARES fund as well as from various ministries and PSUs, it said. PSA oxygen plants contributed by the PM CARES fund are coming up in all states and districts of the country, and Modi was told that they will support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds once functional, the PMO said.
"PM asked officials to ensure there is adequate training of hospital staff on operation and maintenance of oxygen plants. He also directed officials to ensure that each district has trained personnel available," it said. The prime minister was informed by officials that a training module prepared by experts is in place, and they are targeting training of around 8,000 people across the country. PM Modi also asked them to deploy advanced technology like IoT to track the performance and functioning of these oxygen plants at the local and national level.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Graded Response Plan to deal with possible third COVID-19 wave passed by DDMA: Arvind Kejriwal
A "Graded Response Action Plan" prepared to deal with a possible third wave of coronavirus was passed in the DDMA meeting on Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. A Delhi government panel on managing the possible third wave of Covid has devised a colour-coded mechanism which prescribes a graded response, including the closure of most economic activities at the highest "Red" level alert.
"The "Graded Response Action Plan" was passed in the DDMA meeting today. No doubts will remain about when the lockdown will be imposed or when it will open. In the meeting, there was also discussion about the Delta plus variant. We have to stop this variant from spreading in Delhi, for which the government is taking all necessary steps," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
The colour codes based on positivity rate (on two consecutive days), cumulative number of new cases (over a week) and average oxygenated-bed occupancy (for a week) will designate four levels of alerts. The graded response will involve restricting economic activities as per the level of alert linked with the severity of the pandemic. Shops and establishments of essential goods and services will be allowed to open during all the four levels of alerts.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Set up separate pediatric wards at all hospitals to deal with third wave: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said there should be separate pediatric wards at all district hospitals, CHCs and PHCs besides adequate oxygen, ICUs and ventilators in the state to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19. Reviewing the state's preparedness in view of a possible third wave of the pandemic, Dhami said all these arrangements should be in place by the end of July.
Maximum vaccination and increased testing are a must to build a protective mechanism against COVID-19, he said. The CM also asked officials to pay heed to the maintenance of medical equipment and tools provided to the state under the PM CARES Fund and corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions from companies. Apprising the Chief Minister on the status of arrangements, Health Secretary Amit Negi said there is enough oxygen in the state and it ranks fifth in the country in terms of vaccination. Apart from doctors, paramedics have also been trained to deal with COVID cases, he added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | How does the Delta variant dodge the immune system? Scientists find clues.
The delta variant of the coronavirus can evade antibodies that target certain parts of the virus, according to a new study published Thursday in Nature. The findings provide an explanation for diminished effectiveness of the vaccines against delta, compared with other variants.The variant, first identified in India, is believed to be about 60% more contagious than alpha, the version of the virus that thrashed Britain and much of Europe earlier this year, and perhaps twice as contagious as the original coronavirus. The delta variant is now driving outbreaks among unvaccinated populations in countries like Malaysia, Portugal, Indonesia and Australia.
Delta is now the dominant variant in the United States. Infections in the country had plateaued at their lowest levels since early in the pandemic, though the numbers may be rising. Still, hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus have continued a steep plunge. That is partly because of relatively high vaccination rates: 48% of Americans are fully vaccinated and 55% have received at least one dose.
But the new study found that delta was barely sensitive to one dose of vaccine, confirming previous research that suggested that the variant can partly evade the immune system — although to a lesser degree than beta, the variant first identified in South Africa. French researchers tested how well antibodies produced by natural infection and by coronavirus vaccines neutralize the alpha, beta and delta variants, as well as a reference variant similar to the original version of the virus.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Risks of severe illness, death due to COVID-19 in children very low, UK study finds
Most young people face an “extremely low" risk of illness and death from Covid-19 and have no need to shield from the virus, according to researchers behind a large U.K. study. The analysis, which its authors say is the most comprehensive on the topic to date, backs up clinical reports that show children and teens are less likely to be hospitalized or face severe effects from the virus. Covid-19 does increase the chance of serious illness in the most vulnerable children -- those with complex disabilities and severe existing medical conditions -- but even in those cases the risks are smaller compared with adults.
In England, the highest rates of infection in recent weeks were seen in those ages 15 to 29, with the fastest jump in positive cases week-on-week among children ages 5 to 14. With 68% of adults in the U.K. having received at least one shot and more than 50% fully vaccinated, the increase highlights the role children may be playing in transmission.
“It is reassuring that these findings reflect our clinical experience in hospital -- we see very few seriously unwell children," Elizabeth Whittaker, senior clinical lecturer in pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Imperial College London, said in a statement. “We hope this data will be reassuring." Though the data only measure the period up to February, the situation hasn’t changed recently with the proliferation of the delta variant, Whittaker said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi govt to undertake survey to identify children orphaned during COVID-19 pandemic
Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department will undertake a survey to identify children who have been orphaned during the coronavirus pandemic The department said it has appointed 20 welfare officers who will conduct the survey in different childcare homes, institutions and district offices in the city. The officers have been attached with child welfare committees and district child protection units to conduct the survey by July 20, it said.
The Delhi government has planned to give a compensation of Rs 2,500 per month to children who have lost their parents to COVID-19. Over 2,000 children in the city have lost either one or both their parents to the novel coronavirus infection, with 67 of them losing both their parents, since the pandemic outbreak in March last year, according to a survey conducted by the Delhi Commission For Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). As many as 651 children have lost their mothers and 1,311 children lost their fathers to the infection, it stated.
The DCPCR had said the details of these children have been shared with the Department of Women and Child Development for necessary action on its part and ensuring enrolling eligible beneficiaries in schemes notified by the Delhi government for children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on May 14 said his government would bear the cost of education and upbringing of the children orphaned during the pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month announced a number of welfare measures for such children, including ensuring a corpus of Rs 10 lakh when they turn 23 years of age and providing for their education.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Antiviral drug Molnupirvir helps mild COVID-19 patients recover faster: Hetero
Drug maker Hetero said on July 9 that the interim data of its Phase-3 study in India demonstrated that mild COVID-19 patients who had gotten COVID-19 antiviral drug Molnupiravir along with standard of care (SOC), recovered much faster than those who received standard of care. Hetero had conducted phase-III, comparative, randomized, multicenter clinical trial on 1218 mild COVID-19 patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Molnupiravir plus standard of care (test arm) versus standard of care alone (control arm), in mild COVID-19 patients with a positive SARS CoV-2 RT PCR test for COVID-19 and randomised within 5 days of onset of symptoms.
The interim results show early clinical improvement observed in 63.43% of those in Molnupiravir group compared to standard of care at 22.33 percent on Day 5. For day 10 the improvement was seen at 78.96 percent vs 49.49 percent and Day 14 81.55 percent vs 73.22 percent. Median time to clinical improvement was seen as early as eight days in Molnupiravir group compared to 12 days in SOC alone group. ,
Earlier SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR negativity observed in Molnupiravir group compared standard of care at Day 5 was 77.35 percent vs 26.07 percent, Day 10 it was 94.03 percent vs 57.20 percent and Day 14 at 97.01 percent vs 85.21 percent. There were fewer hospital admissions in Molnupiravir group compared to standard of care alone at 7 (1.89%) versus 23 (6.22%) over 14 days of observation.
