New Delhi: India's coronavirus tally surged to 4,10,461 infections this morning as it registered the steepest one-day jump of 15,413 new patients in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said this morning, hours after the country's COVID-19 count soared past the four lakh-mark. A total of 13,254 patients have died since the beginning of the pandemic. Of these, 306 people died in the last 24 hours.
The country now has the world's fourth highest number of COVID-19 cases, only behind the United States, Brazil and Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked states to make full use of the expanded COVID-19 testing capacity and saving lives a top priority. PM Modi also called for fighting the stigma associated with coronavirus and that people should be assured there is no need to panic if somebody has contracted the infection as the number of recovered patients has also been rising. The COVID-19 recovery rate for the country currently stood at around 53 per cent.
Meanwhile, Remdesivir, the anti-viral drug that can potentially treat COVID-19, will be available in the Indian market by end of this month, sources have told NDTV. The Drug Controller General of India had recently approved Remdesivir for "restricted emergency use" on severely ill hospitalised coronavirus patients.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak:
Jun 21, 2020 23:32 (IST)
COVID-19: Ashok Gehlot To Launch Coronavirus Awareness Drive Tomorrow
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will launch a special drive with an aim to spread awareness about coronavirus among people in over 11,000 villages on Monday, an official statement said.
The campaign will cover 11,500 village panchayats from June 21 to 30 June, the official statement said, adding that its aim is to make people aware of the infection so that recovery rate gets better and the mortality rate comes down. During the launch of the campaign through a video conference, the chief minister will address villagers.
Rajasthan is the first state in the country, which has started a wide publicity campaign to make the common people aware about the prevention of coronavirus, the official statement said.
Jun 21, 2020 22:56 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Delhi hospital seeks more time to convert Taj Mansingh hotel into COVID-19 facility
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has sought more time to convert the five-star Taj Mansingh hotel into a coronavirus facility in order to increase the number of beds for patients in Delhi amid a spike in infections.
According to an order issued by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Chanakyapuri on June 16, rooms in the luxury Taj Mansingh hotel in Lutyens' Delhi were placed at the disposal of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) for using it as an attached COVID-19 facility, reported news agency PTI.
Jun 21, 2020 21:32 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Chhattisgarh's count now 2,273 as 139 test positive
The number of COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh increased to 2,273 with 139 more people testing positive for novel coronavirus on Sunday, a health official said.
Of the new cases, 39 were reported from Korba, 21 from Janjgir-Champa, 17 each from Raipur and Balodabazar, 16 from Jashpur, 14 from Rajnandgaon, four from Gariaband, three from Durg, two each from Raigarh, Bemetara and Kanker and one each from Surguja and Balrampur, he said.
A total of 53 patients were discharged after recovery in the day, he said.
Jun 21, 2020 21:05 (IST)
COVID-19: Gujarat's count crosses 27,000-mark; deaths 1,664
With Gujarat reporting 580 new coronavirus positive cases on Sunday, the number of patients in the state crossed the 27,000-mark, the health department said.
The state tally now stands at 27,317, it said. Gujarat also reported death of 25 coronavirus patients, taking the fatality count to 1,664, it said.
As 655 patients were discharged on Sunday, the tally of recovered cases went up to 19,357, the department added, reported news agency PTI.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state is now 6,296, of which 59 patients are on ventilator, while the condition all others is stable.
Jun 21, 2020 20:56 (IST)
COVID-19: J&K reports 122 new cases, tally rises to 5,956
122 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the UT's tally to 5,956.
"20 cases were from Jammu division and 102 from Kashmir division. The cases include 2,492 active cases, 3,382 recovered and 82 deaths," Jammu and Kashmir government said in a release.
The COVID-19 count in India has reached 4,10,461 on Sunday, according to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
Jun 21, 2020 20:09 (IST)
Coronavirus news: 500 FIRs registered against people without masks, 11,000 challans issued in Ludhiana
As many as 500 FIRs have been registered since May 18, against people seen without masks and flouting social distancing in Punjab's Ludhiana while 11,000 challans have been issued till date, said Rakesh Agrawal, Police Commissioner of Ludhiana, Punjab.
"Since May 18, we have registered around 500 FIRs against people who were seen not wearing masks and flouting social distancing, around 11,000 challans have been issued till date. I appeal to people to follow all the guidelines," said Mr Arawal.
"Inter-district travel is allowed by a pass during weekends. People should follow all the norms, authorities and police are working for their betterment only," he added.
While India is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, residents here were seen roaming without masks on the roads.
Jun 21, 2020 19:58 (IST)
COVID-19: Only 6,000 active cases in a state with around 24 crore population, says Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth on Sunday said that in a state of around 24 crore population, there are only 6,000 active cases of the COVID-19 disease.
Addressing ''UP Jansamvad'' virtual rally from Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath said, "When we look at the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, we find ourselves in a satisfactory situation. In a state of around 24 crore population, there are only 6,000 active cases of the disease."
"We have ensured the doorstep delivery of food packages. We have provided assistance and ensured that migrant workers safely reached their homes. We have also done the work of making people aware of safety measures by making continuous communication on how to contain the spread of coronavirus," he added.
Jun 21, 2020 19:41 (IST)
COVID-19: Kerala reports 133 new cases, overall tally rises to 3,170
Kerala on Sunday reported a record single-day spike of 133 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infections in the state to 3,170.
Of the fresh coronavirus cases detected today, 80 had reached Kerala from abroad and 43 came from other states.
The Health department informed that nine people in the state contracted the disease through their contacts while one health health worker was also infected.
In the bulletin issued on Sunday evening, Health Minister K K Shailaja said 93 people tested negative for the deadly virus, taking the total number of cured persons to 1,659.
Jun 21, 2020 19:23 (IST)
COVID-19: Rs 190 crore sanctioned for improving healthcare facilities in Northeast , says Union Minister
Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said Rs 190 crore has been sanctioned for augmentation of healthcare facilities in the eight Northeastern states, especially for the management of infectious diseases like COVID-19.
This was disclosed by Singh while reviewing the coronavirus situation and healthcare facility in ''aspirational districts'' with a special focus on the Northeast, reported news agency PTI.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has decided to sanction Rs 190 crore for augmentation of healthcare facilities in the eight Northeastern states, particularly for developing infrastructure for management of infectious diseases, Mr Singh said in a statement.
Jun 21, 2020 19:06 (IST)
COVID-19: Himachal Pradesh's count stands at 662
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh stands at 662, said the state health department in a bulletin on Sunday.
The total number of COVID-19 cases are inclusive of 237 active cases, 406 recovered and six deaths.
As per the bulletin, 33,748 persons have completed 28 days of surveillance and 19,535 are on active surveillance, reported news agency ANI.
