Coronavirus Cases Updates: The COVID-19 cases in Delhi neared the 60,000-mark. (Representational)
India recorded the biggest single-day jump of 445 deaths today amid renewed concerns over the rapid rise in new infections in the country. The spike in cases has taken the country's tally to 4,25,282 while the death count rose to 13,699, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 cases in the national capital neared the 60,000-mark on Sunday with 3,000 more people testing positive, even as worried authorities were mulling steps to make contact tracing more robust to curb the spread of the infection in Delhi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a meeting Sunday with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on the coronavirus situation, where it was decided to hold more "robust" contact tracing, revamp the entire containment zone strategy and strengthen medical services in areas most affected by the virus.
Here are the Updates on Coronavirus Pandemic:
Coronavirus news: 46 COVID-19 cases, 66 discharged and 1 death reported in Chhattisgarh on Monday
Coronavirus news: Saudi Arabia to hold "Very Limited" Hajj Over PandemicSaudi Arabia on Monday announced it would hold a "very limited" hajj this year, with pilgrims already in the kingdom allowed to perform the annual ritual as it moves to curb the biggest coronavirus outbreak in the Gulf.
The decision marks the first time in Saudi Arabia's modern history that Muslims outside the kingdom are barred from performing the hajj, which last year drew 2.5 million pilgrims, AFP reported.
Coronavirus news: 14 more deaths take COVID-19 death count to 569 in West BengalFourteen more people died of coronavirus in West Bengal on Monday, taking the state's death count to 569, while 413 fresh cases pushed the infection tally to 14,358, a health department bulletin said.
Twelve out of the 14 deaths were due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental, it said.
Of the 14 deaths, seven were from Kolkata, three each from Howrah and North 24 Parganas, and one from Hooghly, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Bihar's COVID death count rises to 52
A 51-year-old home guard died to COVID-19 in Bihar on Monday, taking the state's death count to 52, while 228 fresh cases pushed the tally to 7,893, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: 10 more die due to coronavirus in Nashik districtMaharashtra's Nashik district registered 10 more deaths due to coronavirus on Monday, taking the death count to 175, while 108 people tested positive for the infection, raising the tally to 2,874, officials said.
Among the deceased, six were from Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) areas, one from Malegaon town and three from other parts of the district, according to an official statement issued by the local administration.
With this, the coronavirus death count in the district
has gone up to 175, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Gautam Buddh Nagar records biggest single-day spike with 103 COVID casesIn the biggest single-day spike, Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar recorded 103 fresh COVID-19 cases on Monday, pushing the district's tally to 1,516, state health department data showed.
A total of 71 patients were also discharged from hospitals after recovery, it stated.
There are 603 active COVID-19 cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar. While 894 patients have been discharged after recovery, 19 have died, according to the data.
The total number of positive cases so far stands at 1,516, according to the data.
The recovery rate of patients stood at 59.12 per cent on Monday, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: 2,909 fresh COVID cases in Delhi
Delhi recorded 2,909 fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, taking the tally in the city over the 62,000-mark, while the death count from the disease climbed to 2,233, authorities said.
From Friday to Sunday, 3,000 or more fresh cases were being reported per day in the national capital.
Fifty-eight fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, the Delhi health department bulletin said on Monday.
The death count from COVID-19 in Delhi stood at 2,175 on Sunday, PTI reported.
Coronavirus: Extensive power infrastructure for world's largest COVID-19 facility in Delhi
An extensive infrastructure capable of withstanding an 18-MW load and comprising 22 km of underground cables and 20 transformers will power the COVID-19 quarantine facility of 10,000 beds at the Radha Soami spiritual centre in South Delhi, touted to be the largest in the world, a BRPL spokesperson said on Monday.
The rising number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has necessitated an urgent need to increase hospital beds and isolation facilities. The temporary centre is being set up over a covered area of 12,50,000 square feet, approximately the size of 22 football fields.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia recently assessed the preparations at the centre. Setting-up the power infrastructure at such a massive facility requires an equally massive power infrastructure, reported news agency PTI.
BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) has been tasked to readying the power infrastructure in a record time of 15-days, said the BRPL spokesperson.
Coronavirus: Days after first COVID death, 17 inmates test positive at Delhi Jail
Days after a 62-year-old inmate of Mandoli Jail died due to COVID-19, 17 others who shared barrack with him tested positive for the disease on Monday, prison officials said.
The first inmate, Kanwar Singh, lodged in Central Jail number 14, Mandoli, died in his sleep on June 15. His test report for COVID-19 came back positive on Saturday, following which 29 inmates who shared barrack with him were also tested, according to officials.
Mr Singh's is the first case of a Delhi prison inmate dying due to the contagious respiratory disease, reported news agency PTI.
Coronavirus: Assam Plans Ward-Wise Lockdown, Medical Centres In Guwahati As COVID-19 Cases RiseAmid a spike in COVID-19 cases without any travel history in Guwahati, Assam is considering to impose a ward-wise lockdown in the city for at least seven days, said state health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The minister further said that medical centres would be created in all the 31 wards of the city, which will act as area-wise COVID management facilities." itemprop="description
Mumbai COVID-19 cases up by 1,128 to 67,635
The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai rose by 1,128 on Monday to 67,635 while the death count went up by 20 to 3,735, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
A total of 628 patients were discharged from various hospitals in Mumbai in the last 24 hours, taking the number of the recovered cases to 34,119, an official release said.
The number of active cases in the city now stands at 29,781, it said.
Coronavirus: Mumbai COVID-19 surge affects postal service in Marathwada
Surge in COVID-19 cases in Delhi and Mumbai has affected normal functioning of postal service in Aurangabad and other districts of Marathwada region in Maharashtra, a senior official said on Monday.
Only essential items and medicines are currently being dispatched through post from all the eight districts in the region, he said
"The spread of coronavirus infection in New Delhi and Mumbai has impacted postal service from Aurangabad and other seven districts," Post Master General V.S.Jayasankar, Aurangabad Region, told PTI.
Coronavirus: 10 new cases of COVID-19 in Ladakh
Ten more persons tested positive for coronavirus in Ladakh on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 847, health department officials said.
While one person had died of COVID-19, 136 others have been cured and subsequently discharged from various hospitals in the region, reported news agency PTI.
Out of the 10 fresh positive cases -- eight were from Leh and two from Kargil, taking the number of active positive cases in the twin districts to 710, the officials said, adding that Kargil has the highest number of positive cases at 557 while Leh district has 153 cases.
Coronavirus news: UP first to use COVID-19 isolation coaches
Uttar Pradesh has become the first state to use the Railways' coronavirus isolation wards with coaches deployed at Mau station receiving 59 suspected COVID-19 cases in two days, officials said on Monday.
They said eight of them have already been discharged and 51 are housed in these non-air conditioned coaches, modified to work as Covid care cantres, reported news agency PTI.
The admitted cases include women and children, the officials said.
On June 20, 42 patients were admitted to the isolation coaches at Mau railway station, while 17 the next day, they added.
As per official figures, Uttar Pradesh has reported over 18,000 coronavirus cases, while the number of deceased due to the disease stands at 569.
Stricter Curbs, Capped Treatment Cost In Bengaluru After COVID-19 SpikeWith Bengaluru opening up after months of the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the IT hub has seen a sudden spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases. The city, with a population of over 1 crore, was initially considered well in control of the pandemic with less than 1,000 cases." itemprop="description
Coronavirus: Supply Commitments Maintained Even During COVID Pandemic, Says Foreign Minister To Saudi Counterpart
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held talks with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and acknowledged that supply chains between the two countries have been maintained even during coronavirus pandemic.
"A warm conversation with #Saudi FM HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan. Gratified that our supply chains&trade commitments have been maintained even during #COVID period. Ensuring health needs reflects the strength of our ties. Appreciate the gestures made by Saudi authorities to the Indian community," Mr Jaishankar tweeted.
Coronavirus news: Maharashtra's Amravati's COVID-19 count reaches 438 as 8 test positiveThe number of COVID-19 cases in Amravati in Maharashtra touched 438 on Monday after eight people tested positive, while the number of people discharged reached 300, an official said.
The 13 discharged on Monday include a 20-year-old woman and her child who was born on June 15 in a COVID care centre in Amravati, he added.
Badnera town in the district has the maximum 58 cases, he informed.
Worse Than COVID: Seniors Line Up For Cash At Crisis-Hit Karnataka BankHundreds of depositors of the crisis-hit Sri Guru Raghavendra Bank in Bengaluru, most of them senior citizens, queued up amid the coronavirus pandemic to withdraw whatever they could after the Reserve Bank of India recently increased the limit to Rs 1 lakh, including the earlier Rs 35,000." itemprop="description
COVID-19 test charges capped at Rs 2,000 in Chandigarh
The Chandigarh Administration has decided to cap the charges for COVID-19 tests in the city at Rs 2,000.
The decision was taken at a meeting held by Manoj Parida, Adviser to the Administrator, and Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health, with the private SRL Diagnostics Laboratory, which is authorized to test COVID-19 cases in the city, reported news agency PTI.
A release said that the upper limit of Rs 2,000 was fixed for every test as compared to the existing rate of Rs 4,500. Many states are charging Rs 2, 400 for the test.
Coronavirus: Court Asks AAP Government To Increase COVID-19 Rapid Tests Amid Rise In Cases
The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the AAP government to try and increase the COVID testing methodology, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), in view of rise in coronavirus cases in the national capital.
A bench of Justices Hima Kohli had Subramonium Prasad noted that present per day RAT numbers were "abysmal" as they were not even reaching 50 per cent of the target of 22,000 tests per day set by the Delhi government.
"See if you can expand the Rapid Antigen Testing numbers. Looking at the rate the (COVID-19) numbers are going up, the sooner you do, the better," the bench said.
Delhi government additional standing counsel Satyakam, appearing for the health department, said the RAT methodology was started on June 18 and was in its trial phase.
COVID-19: After nearly 300 cases, fresh curbs on Gujarat's Surat diamond units
Nearly 300 workers of diamond units in Gujarat's Surat city have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 10 days, following which fresh restrictions have been imposed on the industry's operations, an official said on Monday.
As part of the new curbs, three main diamond trading markets will remain shut twice a week, while canteens of all the diamond polishing units will remain closed on all days to contain the spread of coronavirus, he said.
"In the last 10 days, nearly 300 workers of diamond units in the city have tested positive for coronavirus," Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said.
Coronavirus: IIT-Kharagpur develops COVID-19 predictive model
IIT Kharagpur has developed a model to help predict the future spread of COVID-19 which can facilitate decision making in health-care, industry and even academics.
The study also indicates that the disease may continue to prevail in the country till September-end, a statement issued by the institute said, reported news agency PTI.
Professor Abhijit Das from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering has developed the logistic model which can be used to fit the available daily counts of infection cases.
Coronavirus: BS Yediyurappa convenes emergency meeting to assess COVID-19 situation in Bengaluru
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday convened an emergency meeting with ministers and senior officials to evaluate COVID-19 situation in Bengaluru.
As the numbers of COVID-19 cases are increasing in Bengaluru at an alarming rate, the Chief Minister opined that this can be contained only if preventive measures were implemented strictly.
He directed the officials to implement lockdown strictly in the clusters, which reported more number of cases, especially KR Market and surrounding areas such as Siddapura, VV Puram, Kalasipalya. It was decided to seal the adjoining streets, where the cases are reported, reported news agency ANI.
Coronavirus news: Mumbai civic body launches ''Mission Zero'' rapid action plan to combat COVID-19
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday launched ''Mission Zero'' rapid action plan at Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, in a bid to combat coronavirus outbreak situation in the city, which is severely affected by the contagion.
Under the programme, 50 mobile dispensary vans will cover various parts of Mumbai for 2-3 weeks to conduct a preliminary examination of patients, reported news agency PTI.
"BMC launches ''Mission Zero'' Rapid Action Plan at Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, Andheri. 50 mobile dispensary vans will now visit Mulund, Bhandup, Andheri, Malad, Borivali, Dahisar and Kandivali areas for 2-3 weeks to conduct a preliminary examination of patients," said the BMC.
COVID-19 cases rise to 4,373 in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, death count reaches 201
The number of COVID-19 cases in Indore rose to 4,373 on Monday after 44 more people tested positive for the viral infection in the Madhya Pradesh district, a health official said.
As many as 1,404 samples were sent for testing during the last 24 hours and out of these, 44 came out positive, Indore's Chief Medical and Health Officer M P Sharma said.
Besides, four people, including a 85-year-old man, succumbed to the viral infection while undergoing treatment in different hospitals, the official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
COVID-19: 17 new cases reported in Puducherry; Tally rises to 383
The COVID-19 cases rose to 383 in the union territory of Puducherry on Monday with 17 more people testing positive, Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said.
A total of 229 samples were tested in the last 24 hours ended at 10 am and of them 17 tested positive, he told reporters.
The total active cases stood at 226 of which 218 are in hospitals while seven in Karaikal and one patient was in Yanam, an enclave of the UT in Andhra Pradesh, reported news agency PTI.
Follow Lieutenant Governor's order on COVID testing: High Court to AAP
The Delhi High Court has said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government should "scrupulously" follow the directions issued by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) on June 8 in connection with testing of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.
A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued the direction while disposing of two pleas challenging the Delhi government health department's June 2 decision to exclude asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients from COVID 19 testing.
The LG by his June 8 order had directed that testing strategy recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research be followed.
COVID-19 cases in Gurgaon rise to 4,427
As per the state health bulletin released on Sunday evening, the cases in Gurgaon rose to 4,427 becoming the worst-hit district in Haryana which has a total of 10,635 cases. The district has also reported 64 deaths.
Haryana has reported a total of 160 deaths.
Russia reports 7,600 new coronavirus infections
Russia on Monday reported 7,600 new cases of the coronavirus, pushing its nationwide case total to 592,280, the world's third largest tally.
The coronavirus taskforce response said 95 people had died in the past 24 hours, bringing the official death count to 8,206.
Delhi Chief Minister briefs media on COVID-19
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says there has been a three-time increase in testing, earlier it was 5,000 tests per day, now it is around 18,000 per day. "Now people will not face any issues in getting tested."
"Today we are fighting two wars against China - one at the border and another against the virus from China. Our 20 brave soldiers did not back down, we also will not retreat and will win both the wars." he says.
Top medical body says over 69 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted till June 21: Report
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that over 69 lakh COVID-19 tests were conducted by various laboratories across the country, including 1,43,267 tests on June 21.
So far, 69,50,493 tests have been conducted, it said. A total of 953 laboratories across India have been given approval to conduct COVID-19 tests.
Nagaland coronavirus case count reaches 280: Minister
69 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Nagaland, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 280.
"Out of 275 samples tested, 69 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported. The total number of positive cases stands at 280, of which 139 are active and 141 have recovered," said S Pangnyu Phom, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland.
Fears of second virus wave in Australia's Melbourne
Australians have been warned to avoid travelling to Melbourne, as the country's second biggest city tightened coronavirus restrictions amid fears of a second wave of the epidemic.
Victoria state has recorded more than 110 cases in the past week -- many of them in Melbourne -- prompting leaders of other regions to warn against visiting the city's six designated virus "hot spots".
Australia has recorded almost 7,500 cases of COVID-19 and 102 deaths, though some regions have already declared themselves virus-free.
First Coronavirus death reported in Goa
An 85-year-old woman, who tested positive for coronavirus earlier, died due to the infection today, making it the first case of death due to the viral disease in the state, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.
The woman, belonging to Morlem village in North Goa district, was undergoing treatment at the ESI hospital, a designated facility for COVID-19 patients, he said.
1.83 lakh COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, world's biggest one-day jump: World Health Organization
The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Sunday, with the total rising by 183,020 in a 24-hour period.
The biggest increase was from North and South America with over 116,000 new cases, according to a daily report. Total global cases are over 8.7 million with more than 461,000 deaths, according to the WHO.
The previous record for new cases was 181,232 on June 18.
After meeting with Centre, Delhi plans better contact tracing, containment
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a meeting Sunday with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on the coronavirus situation, where it was decided to hold more "robust" contact tracing, revamp the entire containment zone strategy and strengthen medical services in areas most affected by the virus.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also present at the video conference, as were senior doctors from the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research, the government's nodal body in dealing with this crisis) and AIIMS (All India Institute for Medical Sciences).
China reports 18 new coronavirus cases
China reported 18 new coronavirus cases for June 21, nine of which were in the capital Beijing, the National Health Commission said. This compared with 26 confirmed cases a day earlier, 22 of which were in Beijing.
Local authorities are restricting movement of people in the capital and stepping up other measures to prevent the virus from spreading following a series of local infections. Another seven asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, those who are infected but show no symptoms, were reported as of June 21 compared with six a day earlier.
Brazil Passes 50,000 Deaths From Coronavirus: OfficialBrazil on Sunday said it had registered more than 50,000 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak as well as about one million infections, as the second worst-affected country in the world struggles to control the disease."
US Coronavirus death count rises to 119,959: Report
The United States recorded another 305 coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours, a tally by Johns Hopkins University showed Sunday at 8:30pm (0030 GMT Saturday). It marked the 11th consecutive day in which the daily count from the virus has been fewer than 1,000, and the third time it has been under 400 since the pandemic seemed to peak in mid-April.
But the US remains the country hardest-hit by the pandemic, with 119,959 deaths out of 2,278,373 official cases.
Top Court hearing on Odisha's Rath Yatra order amid pandemic today
The Supreme Court will hear today four petitions seeking modification of its earlier order of June 18, which had stayed the "Rath Yatra" in Puri and other places in Odisha keeping in view the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court's single-judge bench comprising Justice S Ravindra Bhat will hear the matter in chamber hearing at 11 am tomorrow.
On June 18, a three-judge bench of the court headed by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde said that such gatherings cannot take place at the time of the pandemic.
Delhi Coronavirus containment zone residents attack cops, volunteers
A group of residents of a coronavirus containment zone in Delhi attacked policemen and civil volunteers on Sunday following an argument over barricades. According to reports, the incident took place in a containment zone in the national capital's Naraina area. Some people suffered minor injuries.
The police and the volunteers had gone to distribute food and supplies.
Coronavirus news: 198 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Assam
As many as 198 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Assam on Sunday, as per information provided by the State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Health Minister informed that the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state now stands at 5,586, including 2,170 active cases.
So far, 3,404 patients have been discharged after treatment and nine deaths have been reported due to the virus, ANI reported.