Coronavirus News Highlights: India recorded a single-day rise of 70,421 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in 74 days, taking the country's infection tally to 2,95,10,410, while the count of active cases fell below 10 lakh after over two months, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The COVID-19 death toll in the country climbed to 3,74,305 with 3,921 fatalities recorded in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. The count of active cases has further declined to 9,73,158 which is 3.30 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.43 percent. A net decline of 53,001 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours, the data showed. Also, 14,92,152 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total number of such examinations in the country so far to 37,96,24,626, it stated, adding that the daily positivity rate was recorded 4.72 percent. It has stayed below 10 percent for 21 consecutive days, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate has also reduced and stands at 4.54 percent. Recoveries outnumbered daily new cases for the 32nd consecutive day in the country. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 2,81,62,947, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.27 percent, the data stated.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Centre, states'fiscal position to be better if there is no 3rd Covid wave: SBI report
If there is no third wave of the pandemic, the fiscal position of the Centre and the states will be much better than budgeted for FY22 and the states may garner Rs 60,000 crore more in tax collections at Rs 8.27 lakh crore this fiscal year than they have budgeted, a report said.
The report by SBI Research on Monday bases its optimism on GST collection so far this fiscal, which has been the best ever in spite of the fact that the two months bore the maximum brunt of the second wave -- with April setting a record Rs 1.41 lakh crore and May collection a tad low at Rs 1.03 lakh crore.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Mumbai reports 529 fresh COVID-19 cases
Mumbai saw 529new Covid-19 cases and 19 new deaths in the day, taking its tally to 716,190 cases and cumulative fatalities to 15,202 so far.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |Maharashtra records 8,129 new COVID-19 cases, 200 deaths, and 14,732 recoveries in the last 24 hours
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Southern Railway delivers over 5,000 MT medical oxygen to Tamil Nadu
Over 5,000 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has been delivered to Tamil Nadu through Oxygen Express trains since last month, the Southern Railway said on Monday.
Tamil Nadu received the first oxygen supply through an express train on May 14 here from Durgapur in West Bengal.
"As on date, Southern Railway has delivered a total of 5,052.98 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen for Tamil Nadu through oxygen express trains," a press release said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Rajasthan witnesses 20 COVID-19 deaths, 277 more cases
Rajasthan recorded 20 coronavirus-related deaths and 277 fresh positive cases on Monday, taking the total number of fatalities and case tally to 8,842 and 9,49,961 respectively, an official bulletin stated.Six deaths were reported from Jaipur and four deaths in Bikaner besides deaths reported in other cities, according to the official report.Of the fresh cases, Jaipur reported the most cases with 60 followed by Alwar with 37 cases.A total of 9,34,652 people have recovered from the viral infection while the number of active cases stands at 6,467.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 20% of Delhi's 18-44 population vaccinated against COVID-19: AAP MLA Atishi
Twenty per cent of people in the 18-44 age group in Delhi have been vaccinated against COVID-19 despite the inoculation centres for this category remaining closed for several days due to the non-availability of doses, AAP MLA Atishi said on Monday.She, however, said the city is again facing a shortage of vaccines and some of the inoculation centres for the 18-44 age group will be shut on Tuesday."So far, 20 percent of Delhi's young population has been vaccinated (one dose) despite the inoculation centres remaining closed for many days due to the shortage of doses," Atishi said during an online briefing.According to government data, 13,66,731 first doses and 99,046 second doses have been administered to people in the 18-44 age group in Delhi.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Vedanta announces enhanced COVID cover for employees, families, business partners
Vedanta on Monday announced an enhanced COVID cover for its employees, their families, and business partners.Vedanta has taken up employee-friendly initiatives to promote the health and safety of its people, especially during the current pandemic. "Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares Covid relief initiatives, the company announces long-term HR benefits, on its commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of its people to include enhanced COVID insurance for its employees, their families, and business partners," the company said in a statement.Vedanta will provide Covid Kawach Insurance for their business partners that include term life and hospitalisation and an ex- gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh to be paid to the family members of the deceased business partner employee, the statement said. Considering the fatalities due to COVID-19 and the recent black fungus epidemic the company is providing benefits for family members of the deceased employees in the form of continued payments of last drawn fixed salary till the notional date of retirement.
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh LIVE Updates |
Madhya Pradesh registers 242 new COVID-19cases, 36 deaths, and 516 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Case tally 7,88,425
Active cases 3,941
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Centre to provide over 96,490 Covid vaccine doses to states, UTs in next 3 days
More than 1.40 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and Union Territories to be administered and over 96,490 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.Over 26.68 crore (26,68,36,620) vaccine doses have been provided to states and Union Territories so far. Of this, the total consumption, including wastage, is 25,27,66,396 doses, the ministry said."More than 1.40 crore (1,40,70,224) Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. Furthermore, over 96,490 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days," the ministry said.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates | Karnataka reports 6835 new COVID-19 cases, 15,409 recoveries and 120 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 27,71,969
Total recoveries 25,66,774
Death toll 33,033
Active cases 1,72,141
Coronavirus in Goa LIVE Updates | Goa reports 253 new COVID cases, 720 recoveries and 9 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Active cases: 4,406
Total recoveries: 1,55,378
Death toll: 2,937
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
In view of the prevailing COVID19 pandemic, Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE – 2021), tentatively scheduled from June 17 to 24, has been postponed. The revised dates will be notified in the first week of July.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan:
The lockdown strategy will change after June 16. Depending on the COVID situation, restrictions will be imposed region-wise. It will be implemented by local bodies. Further details about it will be declared tomorrow.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | About 20.8% elders surveyed lost family members or friends to COVID-19: Report
About 20.8 percent elders have lost either family members or friends due to COVID-19 and most of them believe that a better medical and health infrastructure could have saved these lives, according to a report that surveyed 3,526 elderly people in the country.Marking the "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day", HelpAge India on Tuesday released the findings of its six-city survey, "The Silent Tormentor: Covid 19 and the Elderly", delving into the impact and challenges faced by India's elders during the pandemic.The study surveyed 3,526 people in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.It found out that 20.8 per cent of the people surveyed have lost either their family members or friends to Covid. When asked what could have been done better to save these lives, 50.8 per cent said better medical and health infrastructure, 44.4 per cent said availability of vaccines and 38.7 per cent said availability of medicines and injections on time. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccination: No door-to-door drive in natl policy, Centre tells Bombay HC
The Union government on Monday told the Bombay High Court that its national guidelines do not at present allow a door-to-door drive to vaccinate people against COVID-19. The Union government''s counsel, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, said some state governments and municipal bodies had decided to ignore its advisory guidelines and were conducting door-to-door vaccination for special categories of citizens, but it was not possible yet to make such drives a part of the national policy. ASG Singh was responding to a previous query posed by a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni on what the Centre thought about the BMC''s request seeking its permission to conduct door-to-door vaccination for the elderly, bedridden, or such category of citizens. "On the BMC''s permission letter to Union ministry of health and family welfare, the ministry says its current advisory against such drives has been formulated based on recommendations of experts," ASG Singh said.
CoronavirusLIVWE Updates | Single dose of Covishield vaccine elicits higher immunity response in Covid-recovered persons: Study
A single dose of Covishield vaccine elicits a higher immunity response among individuals who were previously infected with COVID-19, suggested a study published in theInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases.The study, which was approved by theInstitutional Ethics Committee of AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, India, was conducted on 280 healthcare workers, with 131 among thembeingseropositive.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh reports 4,549 new COVID-19 cases, 10,114 recoveries and 59 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 18,14,393
Total recoveries 17,22,381
Death toll 11,999
Active cases 80,013
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Officers of Under Secretary rank and above to attend office on all working days: Personnel Ministry
All officers of at the level of Under Secretary and above have been asked to attend offices on all working days while persons with disabilities and pregnant women employees would continue to work from home, a Personnel Ministry order issued on Monday said.As regards government servants of the level below Under Secretaries, 50 per cent of such officials shall attend office on all working days and the remaining shall work from home, said the order issued to all central government ministries/departments.The Personnel Ministry has come up with guidelines to regulate attendance in government offices "in view of the fact that number of COVID cases and positivity rate have reduced considerably"."All government servants at the level of Under Secretary and above to attend office on all working days," it said.All officers/staff have to ensure strict compliance with COVID-appropriate behaviour viz. frequent washing of hands/sanitisation, wearing a mask/face cover, observing social distancing at all times and "any laxity in this regard shall be viewed seriously", the order said.The officers/staff shall follow staggered timings -- 9 AM to 5.30 PM, 9.30 AM to 6 PM and 10 AM to 6.30 PM -- to avoid overcrowding in offices, it said.The persons with disabilities and pregnant women employees shall continue to be exempted from attending office but are required to work from home till further orders, the order said.All officers/staff residing in the containment zone shall be exempted from coming to offices till the containment zone is denotified, according to the order.Those officers/staff who are not attending office shall work from home and they should be available on telephone and other electronic means of communication at all times, the order said."Meeting, as far as possible shall be conducted on video-conferencing and personal meetings with visitors, unless absolutely necessary in public interest, are to be avoided," it said. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Iran approves first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine
Iran’s state TV is reporting that the country has approved an emergency use of its first domestically developed coronavirus vaccine that could bring the hardest-hit country in the Middle East closer to inoculating its citizens against COVID-19.The emergency authorization was approved after the country faced with problems from importing enough vaccines.The TV quotes the health minister, Saeed Namaki as saying, “Permission to use the Iranian vaccine COVIran Barekat was issued yesterday.”Iranian pharmaceutical company Shifafarmed made the vaccine based on deactivated virus, and the first study of the safety and effectiveness began in late December.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Chinmoy Biswal, Delhi Police PRO:
Market associations have been directed to ensure compliance of COVID appropriate behaviour in their areas. This is not a full opening. People violating COVID norms will be liable to be prosecuted by police.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Pune-based start-up develops mask that inactivates novel coronavirus
A Pune-based start-up has integrated 3D printing and pharmaceuticals to develop a mask which inactivates viral particles that come in contact with it, the Department Science and Technology said on Monday.Developed by Thincr Technologies India Private Limited, these masks are coated with anti-viral agents known otherwise as virucides.The coating has been tested and shown to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2, the DST said, adding the material used in it is a Sodium Olefin Sulfonate-based mixture, a soap-forming agent.In contact with enveloped viruses, it disrupts the outer membrane of the virus. The ingredients used are stable at room temperature and are widely used in cosmetics.The DST said that as part of the fight against COVID-19, the virucidal mask initiative was among the earliest projects to have been selected for commercialisation by the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology.Thincr Technologies India works in development of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D-printers to discover new pharmaceutical formulations and drug-loaded filaments of different types.'We sensed that use of face masks will become nearly universal as the most important tool to prevent infection. But we realised that most masks which were then available and within the reach of common people were homemade and of relatively low quality."'It is this need for high-quality masks which led us to undertake a project to develop and commercialise cost-effective and more efficient virucidal coated masks, as a better approach to reduce the spread of infection,' said Shitalkumar Zambad, the Founder-Director of Thincr Technologies India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Honeywell partners with DRDO to ramp up oxygen production
Industrial technology firm Honeywell on Monday said that it is partnering with Defence Research Development Organisation and with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Petroleum to supply molecular sieve adsorbents to accelerate setting up of medical oxygen plants (MOP) in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company said that it has freed up an entire manufacturing line in Italy to prioritize supply to India. “Excellent cooperation is extended by Honeywell in application and supply of zeolite, an important constituent of Medical Oxygen Plants (MOP). This is helping industries to fabricate MOPs," Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman and secretary, Department of Defence R&D, G Satheesh Reddy said in a statement. Honeywell UOP has assured timely supply of adsorbents to enable the country to produce sufficient medical grade oxygen to meet the increased demand, and has partnered with DRDO and CSIR-IIP and their associates to identify and supply alternative adsorbents to optimize cost and streamline supply-related logistics without compromising output from plants. The company said that it has instituted a cross-functional team to support DRDO and CSIR-IIP in this critical project. Scientists from Honeywell UOP, DRDO and CSIR-IP are collaborating to establish the suitability of absorbents for oxygen production in India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Department of Personnel & Training asks govt servants at level of under secretary & above to attend office on working days from June 16 to June 30, 50% of govt servants of level below under secretaries to work from home. Disabled & pregnant employees to work from home.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Mumbai's Dharavi records zero cases of COVID-19 today, as per Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai On April 8, Dharavi reported highest-ever single-day spike of 99 cases.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | AIIMS Delhi to start recruitment for Covaxin clinical trials for 6-12 age group from June 15
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi to start recruitment for clinical trials from June 15 onwards for the children who are in the age group of 6-12 years, news agency ANI has reported.The report further said that the clinical trial of children of 2-6 age group will start after that.AIIMS Delhi has completed the clinical trial for a single dose of Covaxin for the 12-18 age group,it said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | West Bengal lockdown extended until July 1 with relaxations; offices to reopen with 25% strength, restaurant timings extended
The West Bengal government has extended the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown till July 1, but has widened the relaxations to allow the resumption of economic activities.Both government and private offices can reopen, with a cap of 25 percent imposed on staff strength. In private/corporate offices, the timings have been restricted from 10 am to 4 pm, and the attendees would be required to apply for e-pass.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | West Bengal govt extends restrictions till July 1, essential services exempted
"All govt offices will function with 25% strength. Private and corporate offices will remain open from 10 am to 4 pm with not more than 25% strength," CM Mamata Banerjee says
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Centre launches 'Project O2' for oxygen supply
The Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India (GoI) has launched ‘Project O2’ to meet demand of medical grade oxygen in the country, and ensure manufacture of adequate supply for the future, as per an official statement issued on June 13. Project O2 will enable stakeholders working to augment India’s ability to meet rise in demand of medical oxygen, it said, noting that the second coronavirus wave led to increased demand in various parts of the country.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Recruitment for clinical trial of Covaxin in 6-12 age group to start at AIIMS from Tuesday
The recruitment for the clinical trial of the country's first indigenously-developed COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, among children in the age group of 6-12 years will begin at the AIIMS here from Tuesday. This will be followed by the clinical trial of children in the age-group of 2-6 years. The enrolment of children volunteers aged 12-18 years at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been completed and they have been given the first dose of Covaxin.
'The recruitment process for the clinical trial of Covaxin among children in the age group of 6-12 years will begin from Tuesday,' Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at the AIIMS, told PTI. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had granted permission for conducting the phase 2/3 clinical trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin among children aged two to 18 years on May 12.
The trial is to be conducted in three parts -- 175 volunteers each in the groups aged 12-18, 6-12 and 2-6 years. In the trial, the vaccine will be given by the intramuscular route in two doses on day 0 and day 28. Covaxin, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is being used in adults in the country's ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive. The clinical trials will evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the vaccine in children.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Uttarakhand extends COVID-19 curfew till June 22 with more relaxations; check details here
The Uttarakhand government, on June 14, extended the COVID-19 curfew in the state by one more week i.e. till June 22. State minister Subodh Uniyal told ANI that old guidelines would remain in place but with some minor changes. As per the new relaxation, minister Uniyal said that the residents of Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi are allowed to visit Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri-Yamunotri respectively only with a negative RT-PCR report.
“Covid curfew has been extended from June 15 to June 22. Old SOPs to be followed with some changes. People from Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi are now allowed to visit Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri-Yamunotri, respectively, only with a negative RT-PCR report,” Uniyal said. As per the new order, revenue courts will be allowed to open with 20 people.
According to Uniyal, those coming from outside states still need to have a negative RT-PCR report. The minister also said that sweet shops could run business five days a week. As per the new order, 50 people are allowed at both weddings and funerals and auto-rickshaws such as Vikram can operate as well. “Revenue courts allowed to open with 20 people. Sweet shops can open for 5 days a week. 50 people allowed at both weddings and funerals. Auto-rickshaw such as Vikram can ply as well,” Uniyal added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Uttarakhand extends COVID-19 curfew, eases some restrictions: What's allowed, what's not
The COVID-19 restrictions in Uttarakhand have been extended for another week till June 22 with some relaxations. The period of current lockdown in the hill state was scheduled to come to an end at 6 am on June 15. However now, the curbs would remain in force till 6 am on June 22, state minister Subodh Uniyal said on June 14. “COVID curfew is extended from June 15 to June 22. Old SOP to be followed with some changes,” Uniyal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Uttarakhand reported 263 new cases of COVID-19 and seven fresh fatalities in the last 24 hours, pushing the total tally in the state to 3,36,879 and death toll to 6,935, showed health ministry updated at 8 am on June 14. Currently, the state has 4,633 active COVID-19 cases, said the ministry’s update.
Here's what is allowed from June 15:
> The residents of Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi have been permitted to visit the Char Dham sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri-Yamunotri respectively. The travellers need to carry their negative RT-PCR report during the travel.
> People will be allowed to go to vaccination centres to get vaccine jabs during the lockdown if they have the document to prove their purpose.
> Only 20 people with negative RT-PCR test reports not older than 72 hours can attend weddings. Similarly, not more than 20 people can attend funerals in the state during this period.
> Markets will be open for three days a week.
> Sweet shops will be open five days a week.
Here's what will remain closed:
> All educational and coaching institutes, cinema halls, shopping malls, stadiums, gyms, and restaurants will remain closed during the period of lockdown.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | South Korea eases COVID-19 restrictions on concerts, sports games
South Korea began easing restrictions on large concerts and sports events on Monday after announcing last week it would loosen a series of coronavirus curbs as the country pushes ahead with its vaccination drive. Up to 4,000 people will be allowed to attend K-Pop concerts and other cultural shows from Monday, up massively from a capacity limit of below 100 people since late last year, according to measures announced by health officials on Friday.
Sports stadiums will be able to operate at a 30% to 50% capacity, depending on the districts, up from 10% previously. While South Korea has fought small clusters of coronavirus infections in recent months, the daily infection number hit a two-month low on Sunday while the government has pushed through with its vaccination drive. The government has also said it would loosen some quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated overseas visitors.
From July 1, some of those travellers can apply for exemptions from having to observe South Korea's mandatory two-week quarantine if they are visiting family or travelling for the purpose of business, academics or public interest, health authorities said on Sunday. As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout gains momentum, many countries are planning a gradual return to normal, opening borders and letting people back into restaurants, shops and sports venues after more than a year of on-off lockdowns.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Belgium change Russia travel plans over COVID fears
Belgium have changed their travel plans for the remainder of the European Championship group phase due to concerns about the COVID-19 situation in Russia, the country’s football association said on Monday. The Belgians were due to travel from Copenhagen after Thursday’s second match in Group B against Denmark to St Petersburg and spent three days in the Russian city preparing for their last group game against Finland next Monday.
However, they have decided to go back home from Copenhagen to their base at Tubize, some 25km south of Brussels, and only travel to St Petersburg on the eve of the game against the Finns. “During our recent stay in St Petersburg we experienced that being a few days abroad in a hotel in a big city during COVID times, is for the organisation of a training camp much more complex and difficult than before,” said a statement from the Belgian football association.
Belgium went to St Petersburg last Friday, beat their Russian hosts 3-0 there on Saturday in their opening game of Euro 2020 and flew back to Brussels on Sunday. “The Belgian FA has been forced to undertake this action in order to protect its players and staff,” statement continued. “By doing so, the players will train in Tubize, in a more COVID-safe environment and with the best possible training conditions. “Since St Petersburg will organise three extra games, the training ground at the Petrovsky stadium will suffer more, which could play a key role in the preparation for the Finland game,” it added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | EMA calls reports of AstraZeneca vaccine ban ‘misinformation’ —all you need to know
The European Medical Agency (EMA) has clarified that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine “remains authorised” for all populations” and reports of the European Union (EU) banning the jabs were “misinformation”. “This is the situation: Benefit/risk balance of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is positive and it remains authorised for all populations,” the statement read.
The tweet came after Italian newspaper La Stampa carried an interview with the EMA’s Head of Vaccine Strategy Marco Cavaleri, who said “it might be worth abandoning the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for age groups where alternatives are available”. Notably, the AstraZeneca and J&J jabs are both viral vector based and approved for all aged 18 and above. The EU has also authorised Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s mRNA based COVID-19 vaccines.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | UK PM Boris Johnson expected to delay COVID lockdown end by 4 weeks to July 19
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce a four-week delay to an end to all legal lockdown restrictions in the country when he makes a statement later on Monday in relation to so-called “Freedom Day”, which was set for June 21. The last and fourth stage of the lockdown roadmap is now expected around July 19 instead amid a worrying spike in cases of the Delta variant, which experts fear will result in greater hospitalisations in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, the UK recorded 7,490 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths, with the seven-day average for cases up 49 per cent compared with the seven days before. Scientists and health officials have called for a delay in lifting all social distance norms in order to allow the vaccination programme to gain further ground, with second doses for the older age groups and first doses for the younger population cohorts of over-25s now eligible for jabs. “It is one last heave. It is a straight race between the vaccine and the virus,” a senior government source was quoted by ‘The Daily Telegraph’ as saying after Johnson met his Cabinet ministers and scientific advisers to assess the latest data.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dubai's yachts offer socially-distanced luxury
Dubai earned a reputation for delivering luxury for those with cash to splash years ago, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new mode of travel has become popular -- yachts. "It's more private, you're with only family and friends, and it's the ideal outing during a pandemic," said Nada Naeem, a 36-year-old Saudi citizen living in Dubai.
Dozens of white yachts are seen every day zipping through the emirate's bays, canals and islands, while others are docked along the coast in Gulf waters overlooking the skyline of high-rise towers. "You feel like you can breathe," Naeem said, adding that she had not left Dubai since the pandemic began last year. "It's like you've travelled."
Unlike so many parts of the world, Dubai opened its doors wide open to tourists just a few months after the coronavirus pandemic took hold last year. Life in the Gulf emirate -- one of the first destinations to welcome visitors again last July -- returned to largely normal, with restaurants and hotels up and running and beaches open to the public.
The UAE, made up of seven emirates including Dubai, launched an energetic vaccination drive with some of the highest inoculation rates worldwide, and continues to enforce strict rules on wearing masks and social distancing. But some are fearful of overseas travel, and wary of crowded places where the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Centre clears 91 applications, including from Paytm, MakeMyTrip, to offer vaccine bookings
Over 91 applications, including 10 from state governments and large digital companies like Paytm and MakeMyTrip, cleared for offering bookings of COVID-19 vaccine, said CoWIN head RS Sharma. “Accepted 91 out of 125 applications, inclusive of 10 government applications to offer vaccine bookings,” Sharma told CNBC-TV18.
According to Sharma, entities applied for offering vaccine bookings include Paytm, MakeMyTrip, IndiGo, Dr Reddy's, Max Healthcare among others. The developments came after the release of the central government’s new guidelines in May for the integration of CoWIN with third-party applications, easing the way for such apps to offer vaccine bookings.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Germany records fewest virus cases in 9 months
Germany has recorded its lowest number of new daily coronavirus infections in nearly nine months, and officials are floating the possibility of loosening mask-wearing rules. The Robert Koch Institute, the national disease control center, said Monday that 549 new cases were reported over the previous 24 hours. It''s the first time since Sept. 21 that the figure has been under 1,000, though it''s typical for numbers over the weekend to be relatively low because fewer tests are conducted and reported.
Germany has reported more than 3.7 million cases since the pandemic began. Another 10 deaths brought the country''s toll to 89,844. Infection figures have declined sharply in recent weeks and a discussion has started about the future of mask-wearing rules. Health Minister Jens Spahn told the Funke newspaper group that a step-by-step approach should be taken, with rules to wear them outdoors lifted first. He said they could be dropped “little by little” indoors in areas with very low infections and high vaccination rates.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Over half of adults unvaccinated for COVID-19 fear needles – here’s what’s proven to help
If you’re among the 25% of Americans averse to needles, you’re probably not surprised by the COVID-19 immunization stall. Even for those who want immunity, bribes with beer or lottery tickets may not be enough to override anxiety made worse by pervasive images of needles in the media. As a physician specializing in pain management, I study the impact of pain on vaccination. Research-proven adult interventions for pain, fainting, panic and fear can make vaccination more tolerable. At a minimum, understanding the reasons needle fear has become common might make the embarrassment easier to bear.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Govt invites bids for delivery of COVID vaccines to remote areas by drones
The government has invited bids for delivery of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to remote areas and those with difficult terrains in select locations of the country by drones to ensure last-mile coverage. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted a successful feasibility study in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and has developed a standard protocol for the delivery of vaccines using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), according to the bid document.
On behalf of the ICMR, the HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (Procurement Support Agency) has invited expression of interest (EOI) through the Central Public Procurement Portal from experienced Indian agencies for the delivery of medical supplies (vaccines/drugs) by UAVs. According to the tender criteria, the ICMR shall engage UAV operators who are able to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in fixed pre-defined flight paths, deliver medical supplies payload at select locations in India and return to the command station.
During the prevailing pandemic, different agencies are helping the government prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19. To strengthen the delivery of vaccines, the ICMR successfully conducted a feasibility study to deliver vaccines through UAVs in collaboration with IIT, Kanpur, the bid document stated. "Based on the preliminary results of the study, the ICMR has developed a standard protocol for the successful delivery of vaccines using a UAV.
"Now, based on the experience gained in the feasibility study, the ICMR is keen to develop a model for vaccine delivery by UAV in the field practice area to reach areas to cover last-mile coverage at difficult terrain in selected locations," it said. "The main objective of the proposed work is to develop a medical supplies delivery model and its feasibility in the field practice area by using UAVs in remote inaccessible (hard to reach) areas in selected locations in India," it added.
According to the specifications, UAVs should be able to cover a minimum aerial distance of 35 km, able to take off vertically and carry a minimum payload of 4 kg and should be capable of returning to command station after delivering the payload. Initially, the tenure of engagement shall be 90 days. This can be extended further depending upon the performance of the UAV operator and the need of the program.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 curfew extended in Goa till June 21
Given the current COVID-19 situation, the curfew in Goa has been extended till June 21. The announcement was made by the government of Goa on Sunday. Authorities have imposed curfew in the state on May 9 for the first time after the country was hit by the deadly second variant. Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant took to Twitter and said,
“The Government has decided to extend the State Level Curfew till 7AM, 21 June 2021. Shops, including in Panchayat and Municipal markets, may open between 7 am to 3 PM. Marriage function upto 50 persons have been permitted with the permission.” According to an official, the positivity rate in the state stands at 14 percent right now. Earlier, Goa’s positivity rate had reached a high of 51 percent before plummeting to the current level now.
As of now, only essential and emergency services are exempt from the curfew. All the restaurants, bars, cafes, casinos and cruises, etc will remain shut. Not only this, all the educational institutes or any sort of sports and cultural events are also prohibited. State buses have the permission to operate at 50 percent capacity but only for those occupants engaged in essential services or for medical purposes. The government has also allowed inter-state movement, but you need to have a negative COVID test report not older than 72 hours. According to a health official, the number of COVID-19 positive patients in Goa reached 1,62,468 on Sunday, and the death toll has reached 2928.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu further each curbs as "unlock" process gains momentum across states
Delhi, Haryana and Tamil Nadu permitted more activities from Monday as the easing of restrictions by states gained momentum following a decline in active COVID-19 cases in the country. Karnataka will also begin the unlock process, barring in 11 districts, from Monday, with the opening of parks and industrial units with riders, besides other relaxations. Most states are easing the coronavirus-induced curbs, which they first started imposing in mid-April, in a staggered manner, confining it to districts with low positivity rates and active cases and continuing with restrictions like the closure of schools and colleges and night curfew.
Restaurants with 50 percent capacity, weekly markets and religious places will reopen in the national capital from June 14, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday, saying the COVID-19 situation has significantly come under control in the city. Salons, beauty parlours and barbershops closed since the imposition of lockdown on April 19, will reopen. Markets and malls, which were earlier allowed to reopen on an odd-even basis, will now open on all days, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Only one weekly market per municipal zone per day will be allowed, he said.
Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes, cinema halls, multiplexes, theatres, gyms, spas, yoga institutes, swimming pools, auditoriums, banquet halls, amusement and water parks, and public parks and gardens, will continue to be closed till 5 AM on June 21, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order issued on Sunday.
All gatherings and congregations are also prohibited as in other states. Religious places in the city will also be allowed to reopen from Monday, but visitors will not be allowed. In neighbouring Haryana, the state government extended the lockdown till June 21, while easing several restrictions that were in place earlier including doing away with odd-even system for opening shops. Gyms, sports complexes and stadia have now also been permitted under some conditions.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced more relaxations in curbs in 27 districts of the state which include permission for the ubiquitous tea shops to reopen from June 14. However, there will be no easing of curbs in 11 districts, seven in western and four in Cauvery delta regions. Restaurants and bakeries have already been allowed to function. Salons, parks and state-run liquor outlets in 27 districts would reopen on June 14. Places of worship and tourist locations will continue to remain closed and there would be no public or private bus services during the extended spell of lockdown.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration also announced further easing of restrictions in eight districts showing significant improvement in the COVID-19 situation. The decision to grant relaxations in Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora in Kashmir division and Poonch, Reasi, Ramban and Doda in Jammu division was taken at a meeting which focussed on total weekly new cases (per million), positivity rate, bed occupancy, case fatality rate and vaccination coverage of the targeted population, an official order said.
The Assam government asked all its employees who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to join offices from Monday even as a partial lockdown across the state will be in force. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said a decision on further relaxations, including opening of gymnasiums, will be made on the basis of suggestions before June 15, as he announced that now 40 people can participate in a wedding instead of 20 earlier.
India reported 80,834 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest after 71 days, while the daily positivity rate further dropped to 4.25 percent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday morning. With the fresh cases, the country''s tally of cases has climbed to 2,94,39,989. The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,70,384 with 3,303 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 AM showed. The active cases further declined to 10,26,159 comprising 3.49 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.26 percent.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | As COVID-19-induced lockdown curbs ease, traffic jam returns in Bengaluru
The notorious traffic snarls returned to haunt Bengaluru as the lockdown curbs imposed more than a month ago to contain COVID-19 were eased on Monday. Hundreds of vehicles coming from the neighbouring Hosur in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu were seen stuck in long queues at Attibele in Bengaluru. The chaotic traffic extended up to Bommanahalli and Silk Board Junction. There was a chock-a-block at Freedom Park, Seshadripuram, Malleswaram, Town Hall, Richmond Road and Kempe Gowda Road right in the middle of the city as well.
Banashankari and areas near Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) too saw traffic jams. ''The rush on the street is scary as we may be inviting another wave of COVID-19,'' R Venkatesh, who saw heavy traffic on the road at Banashankari, told P T I. Reports reaching here suggested that key roads in big towns such as Kalaburagi, Vijayapura and Hubballi too witnessed heavy vehicular movement.
While imposing a stringent lockdown from May 10 onwards, the Karnataka government had given daily relaxation from 6 AM to 10 AM. Now the relaxation has been extended from 6 AM to 2 PM daily except for weekends in 19 districts, which saw substantial reduction in COVID infections. Autorickshaws and taxis are now permitted to ply. The strict curbs will remain in effect in 11 districts, where the positivity rate has not come down to desired levels, with relaxation remaining unchanged from 6 AM to 10 AM.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Brazil reports 1,129 new COVID-19 deaths, nearly 40,000 cases
Brazil reported 1,129 COVID-19 deaths and 37,948 new coronavirus cases, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. Nearly 490,000 people in the country have died from the virus during the pandemic, with 17.4 million people infected, the data show.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Lionel Messi confesses to worrying about contracting COVID-19
Argentina striker Lionel Messi confessed on Sunday that he worries about contracting COVID-19, a day before he kicks off another Copa America with the national side amid a spate of infections among rival teams. Players or officials from Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela tested positive for the virus even before the South American tournament kicked off on Sunday evening in Brasilia. Messi, who will line up for Argentina in their opener against Chile in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, said the fear of contracting the virus was widespread in the squad.
"It worries us because it is a risk for everyone catching COVID," he told reporters. "We try to be careful but it's not easy. These things happen." "We'll try to do all we can so no one gets it but sometimes it doesn't depend solely on ourselves." Messi is not believed to have been vaccinated, even though the South American Football Confederation said in April it had received vaccinations and aimed to give all international players shots before the Copa America kicked off.
Argentina was due to host this year's Copa America but withdrew at the last minute due to a surge of COVID-19 cases. The tournament was moved to Brazil, even though the death toll there is higher than anywhere outside the United States. Although organizers claim they put strict protocols in place, Venezuela lost eight players to positive tests before the tournament's opening match against Brazil on Sunday and Bolivia lost three.
The inexperienced Venezuelans went down 3-0, with Marquinhos, Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa scoring for the host nation. Brazil won this tournament two years ago, beating Argentina in the semi-final in a controversial match, and Messi said he was desperate to finally replicate his club success at international level. "I think this is the time to strike a blow and the chance could come in this Copa America," said the Barcelona forward and six-time winner of the best player in the world award. "My big dream is to win a title with the national team. I was very close on many occasions and unfortunately it didn't work out. I will keep going until I can't any more." "I've been lucky enough to win everything at a club level and on an individual level and it would be beautiful to win with the national team as well."
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Public sector banks warming up to finance COVID-19 healthcare infrastructure
Public sector banks (PSBs) in India seem to be warming up to actively financing COVID-19 related healthcare infrastructure and associated segments, finally joining the government and central bank’s efforts to boost liquidity in the sector. This comes after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in May announced fresh Rs 50,000 term liquidity facility for a “wide range of entities” in the COVID-related healthcare infra and services space, with the amounts having exceeded Rs 500 crore each, Hindu BusinessLine reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Honeywell says partnering with Indian government to ramp up oxygen production
Honeywell International Inc said on June 14 it was partnering with the Indian government to ramp up oxygen production in the country. Honeywell, which makes aircraft parts for planes manufactured by Boeing Co and Canada's Bombardier Inc, said its researchers will collaborate with Indian scientists to test and validate suitability of adsorbents for oxygen production in India. Indian hospitals ran out of beds and life-saving oxygen during a devastating second wave of coronavirus in April and May and some people died in parking lots outside hospitals and at their homes. The South Asian country's total COVID-19 case load now stands at 29.51 million, while total fatalities are at 374,305.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Bangladesh extends border closure with India till 30 June
Bangladesh on Sunday extended border closure with India till June 30 as the COVID-19 situation in neighbouring districts of the country continued to deteriorate. The decision for extending the closure of border areas was taken during an inter-ministerial meeting on June 13, a top official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Dhaka Tribune. Earlier on April 26, Bangladesh shut down its border with India for two weeks, which was later extended twice - on May 8 and then on May 29 - in light of the severe crisis in India due to the second wave of the pandemic.
