Timely decisions helped in containing coronavirus in India: PM Narendra Modi
India reported over 2,000 coronavirus deaths for the first time after states updated the number of those who died due to the highly contagious disease. The country has so far reported 3,54,065 coronavirus cases; 1,86,935 have recovered. The number of dead is 11,903. The recovery rate is at 52.79 per cent. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases in the country. The number of fatalities across the state and its capital Mumbai went up sharply on Tuesday as the records were updated with 1,328 more cases. Mumbai now has 3,167 coronavirus-linked deaths, records show. The state's total is 5,537, including 81 deaths reported on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that timely decisions have helped in containing coronavirus in the country. His remarks came at his meeting with the Chief Ministers and heads of 21 States and Union Territories on the COVID-19 situation in the country, held via video conferencing.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain tested negative for coronavirus. He was admitted to hospital last night with high fever and complaints of breathing trouble, a day after he attended a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others. He was tested this morning for coronavirus at Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold further consultations with chief ministers tomorrow, as the government faces a worrying surge in coronavirus cases over the past fortnight.
The Prime Minister on Wednesday will hold a video conference with the heads of 21 states and union territories at 3 pm and meet with the 15 worst-affected - including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak:
Coronavirus News: 43 Test Positive For Coronavirus In Tripura
As many as 43 people tested positive for coronavirus in Tripura, out of the total 1,250 samples tested, as per information provided by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, reported ANI.
The chief minister tweeted the information adding that majority of the COVID-19 patients have a travel history and the others were in contact with coronavirus-infected patients.
Among them, three were from 34 Battalion BSF, six from Maharani BSF Camp, four from 120 Battalion BSF, 26 from 74 Battalion BSF, and four civilians.
The count includes 30 cases in the West District, 10 cases in the Gomati District, two cases in the South District and one case in the Sepahijala District.
Coronavirus News: Telangana Reports 269 New Coronavirus Cases
Telangana on Wednesday reported 269 new coronavirus cases with one death. 151 patients were discharged in the state on Wednesday, reported ANI. The total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 5,675, including 192 deaths, the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare said.
Coornavirus News: Chief Medical Superintendent Of Mathura's District Hospital Tests Positive
The chief medical superintendent of Mathura's district hospital tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the number of infections to 181, an official said, reported PTI. "The chief medical superintendent of the district hospital has been sent for treatment to KD Medical College" DM Sarvagya Ram Mishra said. He said, the contacts of the medical superintendent, including staff of the district hospital, are being traced. They would be sent into quarantine and their samples will be collected for testing, the district magistrate said.
PM Modi Said No Fresh Lockdowns In Country: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi categorically said in his video conference with Chief Ministers that no fresh lockdown will be imposed in the country, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said.
Mr Patel was speaking with reporters after attending the video conference alongwith Chief Minister Vijay Rupani earlier on Wednesday.
"The prime minister categorically said that rumours are being spread that fresh lockdown will be imposed with rising number of (coronavirus) cases. There is no such move planned and there won''t be any fresh lockdowns," Mr Patel said.
PM Modi encouraged Chief Ministers to give more momentum to economic activities that have resumed, he said.
Read More COVID-19: Flushing Toilets Can Spread Virus In The Air, Says ReportThe next time you flush your toilet, close the lid. A recent study by researchers at Yangzhou University in China claims the novel coronavirus can survive in the human digestive tract and appear in faeces of the infected, news agency Press Trust of India reported on Wednesday.
The study, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, used computer models to simulate water and air flows in a flushing toilet and the resulting droplet cloud. This, scientists often refer to as "toilet plume aerosol".
Flushing creates a great deal of turbulence and tiny bits of fecal matter, which the naked eye can't see, can be thrown into the air and that can stick to aerosols and settle on the surroundings or anyone visiting the toilet next can breathe it.
Read More Coronavirus Tests To Get Cheaper In Delhi, Capped At Rs 2,400The price of a COVID-19 test in Delhi has been capped at Rs 2,400, the Home Ministry said in a tweet on Wednesday night, explaining that the move was aimed at "providing relief to the common man".
Delhi was earlier following the Rs 4,500 per test cap ordered by the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research, the government's nodal body in this health crisis).
"As per the directives of Home Minister Amit Shah in providing relief to the common man... it has been decided to fix the test rate at Rs 2,400," a tweet by the Home Ministry spokesperson said.
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Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain Tests Positive For CoronavirusDelhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has tested positive for coronavirus. He took a second test today after his fever worsened. The minister's first test had come negative yesterday.
"Today my covid test found to be positive, (sic)" Satyendar Jain wrote on Twitter.
The doctors had decided to go for a second test after observing Coronavirus like symptoms, sources had said earlier.
Read More Punjab reports 6 coronavirus deaths, 126 fresh cases
Six COVID-19 patients in Punjab died on Wednesday, pushing the death toll to 78 while 126 more people tested positive for the infection in the state, taking the virus count to 3,497, officials said.
Four deaths were reported in Amritsar, the district worst affected by the coronavirus in Punjab, while one each was in Ferozepur and Sangrur, according to the state government's medical bulletin.
With fresh cases reported on Wednesday, the state has seen 357 more people testing positive since June 15.
17 new coronavirus cases surface in Himachal; total count 578
Seventeen more people, including a Sashastra Seema Bal personnel, tested positive for coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, taking the number of infections in the state to 578, officials said.
So far, seven people have died from the disease in the state.
The 44-year-old Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel was posted at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi and had recently returned to Kangra district.
He was the among the eight cases reported from the district. Four cases were detected in Una, three in Chamba and two in Solan.
In Kangra, most new patients, including five from two families, recently returned from the Delhi-NCR region, a district official said.
MMRDA adds 1,000 beds to COVID-19 hospital in Mumbai
Town planning authority MMRDA on Wednesday handed over the second phase of its COVID-19 hospital at BKC, comprising 1,000 beds, to local civic body BMC.
The financial capital has been the worst-hit by the deadly coronavirus, reporting more than 60,000 infections and 3,170 fatalities so far.
The second phase of the hospital was completed in 17 days. It has 100 beds with ICU services, while the other 900 are divided into oxygen and non-oxygen facility equally.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray virtually inaugurated the facility, which has been handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had handed over around 1,037 beds with ICU facility to the BMC in May-end.
317 isolation coaches in Delhi to be ready by tonight to host patients, rest by Thursday: Railways
The Northern Railways Wednesday said 317 of the 503 isolation coaches deployed in Delhi will be ready by tonight to host coronavirus patients, and the rest by Thursday.
As many as 503 isolation coaches are deployed at nine stations in Delhi, days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah made the announcement as part of measures to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
Northern and North Central Railway General Manager Rajiv Chaudhary said Wednesday evening that all these will be fully ready to host coronavirus patients by Thursday, while 317 can house patients from tonight itself.
He also said the national transporter was taking all measures to ensure that the temperatures inside the coaches are brought down by deploying different methods.
"Temperature is an issue in the isolation coaches. (But) the view of the medical experts was that temperature will not harm patients. We have made arrangements to cool the coaches through various means.
Odisha to set up COVID Care Homes in all the 6,798 gram panchayats
The Odisha government on Wednesday announced that COVID Care Homes (CCHs) and Ward Level Committees will be set up across the state to monitor the coronavirus situation.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. "We have decided to set up COVID Care Home facilities in all the 6,798 gram panchayats across the state. About 10 to 20 people can stay in each home," Mr Patnaik said in a statement.
As many as 70,000 people could be accommodated in CCHs in rural areas, the chief minister said. He said that the people showing corona symptoms like cold, cough and fever will be kept in the facility. If the patient tests positive for COVID-19 then only he/she will be shifted to the special COVID Hospitals.
43 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand, total rises to 1,985
As many as 43 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 1,985.
A state health department bulletin said among the fresh cases, the highest number of 14 cases were reported from Almora district, nine from Tehri, eight each from Dehradun and Nainital, two from Rudraprayag and one case each from Pauri and Uttarkashi.
Most of the new patients had a travel history to Delhi, it said.
A total of 1,230 COVID-19 patients have recovered so far, 25 have died and 13 have migrated out of the state, it said. The number of active cases stands at 717, it added.
Maharashtra government demands COVID-19 drugs, ventilators from Centre
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday demanded from the Centre COVID-19 treatment drugs remdesivir and tocilizumab "in large quantity and at reasonable rate".
Talking to reporters, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the state also wants the Centre to provide additional 500 ventilators for the treatment of coronavirus positive patients.
"We have been issuing remdesivir and tocilizumab drugs to treat COVID-19 patients on case-to-case basis with the help of ICMR. But now we need these medicines in large numbers and at reasonable price from the Centre for treatment of patients," he said.
"Another demand we have from the Centre is that it should supply additional 500 ventilators to hospitals and medical colleges across the state," he said.
AAP leader Atishi tests positive for coronavirus
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Atishi Marlena has tested positive for Coronavirus. Yesterday, she had symptoms of cold after which she got tested and her report came out positive today. Her symptoms are mild so she has been under home isolation.
On June 11, a health department official was confirmed positive after which she had isolated herself as a precautionary measure.
Uttarakhand Tourism Minister, his wife discharged from AIIMS after COVID-19 treatment
Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj and his wife Amrita Rawat who tested positive for COVID-19 on May 31 have been discharged from AIIMS, Rishikesh, after 17 days of treatment, officials said.
They were discharged from the hospital on Tuesday evening and advised to keep themselves in isolation at home, Dean hospital administration UB Mishra said. Their condition has improved and they have been discharged as per the new guidelines, nodal officer for COVID-19 cases Madhur Uniyal said.
As coronavirus cases rise in India, Germany advises citizens to leave
The German foreign ministry sent a message to nationals in India saying it "recommends that you and your families seriously consider whether a temporary return to Germany or another country with an assured health care system makes sense".
The note said that while the lockdown was being eased "unlike in Europe, coronavirus case numbers are still rising strongly. This increases considerably the risk of infection."
The embassy said its medical experts believed that people with the coronavirus and other serious medical needs have "no or very little chance of being admitted to hospitals. This increases considerably the health risks of a stay in India."
Coronavirus news: 122 more COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan
122 more COVID-19 cases and one death have been reported from Rajasthan on Wednesday, said the State Health Department.
The new cases have been reported from Bharatpur (28), Pali (25), Jaipur (14), Jhunjhunu (14), Churu (16), Nagaur (13), Sirohi (03), Ajmer (02), Alwar (02), Dausa (01), Jhalawar (01), Dhungarpur (01) districts of the state while two were from another state/country.
The total count reported for coronavirus cases in the state has reached to 13,338, while 163 have recovered and 298 discharged, its added.
No new COVID-19 cases detected in Mizoram, tally at 121
Mizoram has confirmed that no new COVID-19 cases have been detected in the state and the total number of coronavirus cases stands at 121.
"A total of 821 samples from Siaha, Lawngtlai, Kolasib, Hnahthial, Lunglei and Aizawl District were tested yesterday. Among this, 633 samples tested negative for COVID-19, while the test for the remaining 188 will continue today. No new cases detected. Total cases stand at 121," said the state government.
On June 16, the state had reported four COVID-19 cases among which three were returnees from Delhi and one from Maharashtra.
Coronavirus Deaths In India Rise By 2,000 After States Update Figures
India reported over 2,000 coronavirus deaths for the first time after states updated the number of those who died due to the highly contagious disease. The country has so far reported 3,54,065 coronavirus cases; 1,86,935 have recovered. The number of dead is 11,903. The recovery rate is at 52.79 per cent. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases in the country.
To define containment zones with large outbreaks of COVID19 cases and activities to be done in containment zones, District Technical Committees headed by Civil Surgeons have been constituted to demarcate exact boundaries of specific area in all districts: Punjab Government (ANI)
Coronavirus news: Scale up number of tests, improving treatment facilities: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee tells Governor
The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has written to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to direct the State government to scale up increasing the number of tests and improving treatment facilities in the public health sector, reported news agency ANI.
Marri Shashidhar Reddy Chairman, Task Force, TPCC said: "We have submitted a representation to Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana stating the Medical Response to Covid-19 by the State Government."
Coronavirus News: Centre Tells Delhi To Use Rapid Antigen Detection Kit In Containment Zones, Hospitals
The centre has communicated to the Delhi government that it can deploy rapid antigen COVID-19 detection kit in containment zones and hospitals in combination with the traditional RT-PCR test for faster diagnosis and effective prevention, reported PTI. The centre's communication came amid the recent spurt in coronavirus cases in the national capital. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has capped the procurement cost for rapid antigen test kit at Rs 450 following negotiation with the firm that produces it. It negotiated the price of the Standard Q COVID-19 Ag detection kit (rapid antigen test kits) with the South Korean company SD Biosensor, which developed it and has its manufacturing unit in Manesar, Gurgaon. On June 14, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had written to the Health Ministry, highlighting the need to augment COVID-19 testing in containment zones in the Delhi. The ICMR letter followed two high-level meetings Union Home Minister Amit Shah had with the Delhi government on Sunday.
Coronavirus News: Telangana Reports 213 New COVID-19 Cases Taking Total To 5,406
Telangana continued to witness a surge in COVID-19 cases with 213 people testing positive for the virus on Tuesday, taking the state's count to 5,406. 191 people have died so far in the state from coronavirus, reported PTI. The state government, which recently announced that around 50,000 samples will be tested in Hyderabad and adjoining areas as part of measures to check the spread of virus, tested1,251 samples on Tuesday.
Coronavirus News: Puducherry's Borders with Tamil nadu's Cuddalore, Villupuram To Be Sealed From Today
Borders of Puducherry with Cuddalore and Villupuram, both in Tamil Nadu, will be sealed from Wednesday, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said, reported ANI.
"People will be allowed inside Puducherry only for medical services. E-passes from Chennai will not be allowed here," Mr Narayanasamy said.
"If you come with a certificate stating that you are not infected with the virus when you come from abroad, then you are allowed in Puducherry," he added.
Puducherry has so far reported 202 COVID-19 cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Coronavirus News: Hyderabad's Popular Gokul Chat Temporarily Shut After Owner Tests Positive
The popular Gokul Chat eatery in Hyderabad was temporarily closed on Tuesday after its owner tested positive for coronavirus, reported by PTI. Police said the management took the decision after the owner, who was suffering from pneumonia for a long time, was admitted to a private hospital on June 13 and subsequently tested positive for coronavirus.
Coronavirus News: Uttar Pradesh Reports 507 Fresh Coronavirus Cases, 18 Deaths; Total Count Stands At 14,598
Uttar Pradesh reported 18 coronavirus deaths and 507 fresh cases on Tuesday, pushing the state's total to 14,598, officials said, reported PTI. The death count in the state stands at 435 now, they said. Among the 18 new deaths, three were reported from Agra, two each from Meerut and Bulandshahr, and one each from Moradabad, Jaunpur, Aligarh, Gonda, Amroha, Etawah, Kannauj, Shamli, Jhansi, Mau and Hamirpur, an official report said. In the state, 69 deaths have been reported from Agra, followed by 62 from Meerut, it said.
Coronavirus News: 34 New COVID-19 Cases In Jharkhand Takes Total To 1,839
Jharkhand reported 34 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the state's total to 1,839, the state health department said, reported PTI. There are 709 active cases in the state, according to a bulletin issued by the department. A total of 1,121 people have recovered, including 121 during the day, it said, adding that the state has recorded nine deaths so far.
Coronavirus News: Odisha Launches Door-To-Door COVID-19 Survey
With over 5.5 lakh people returning to Odisha so far, the state government on Tuesday launched a 45-day intensive surveillance to detect coronavirus symptoms among the population, reported PTI. ASHA and anganwadi workers have started visiting villages across the state and slums in urban pockets to find out and take note of people with COVID-19 symptoms. They will cover 53,845 villages and all slums in 103 urban pockets in the state between June 16 and July 31, National Health Mission's Odisha director Shalini Pandit said.
Coronavirus News: Kolkata Reports Highest Single-Day Spike With 170 CasesKolkata recorded its highest single-day spike with 170 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, according to the state health department, reported PTI. The state capital has reported 3,946 cases so far, it said. There are 2,097 active cases in the city at present, while 1,548 people have been discharged from hospitals so far.
Coronavirus News: Work Closely With States To Mitigate Impact Of Coronavirus On Economy, Amarinder Singh Urges PM Modi
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday requested the centre to work closely with states to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy while stressing that the lockdown to limit the spread of the infection can't continue indefinitely, reported PTI.
In a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Punjab chief minister suggested to set up a group, including chief ministers, to discuss and formulate a coordinated centre-state response to the impact of coronavirus on the economy and governments across the country.
The prime minister is holding two-day deliberations with chief ministers to review the coronavirus situation and management strategies to deal with the crisis.
PM Modi appreciated Punjab's coronavirus micro-containment and house-to-house surveillance strategy, said a state government release here.
Coronavirus Delhi: Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases, Paramedics Urge Arvind Kejriwal To Recruit More Staff
A body representing paramedical staff in the national capital on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to recruit more paramedics considering the spike in coronavirus cases.
The Delhi State Paramedical Technical Employees Federation in its letter to the chief minister said the paramedics have been working in "great anxiety" in the absence of essentials.
They collect samples for testing from coronavirus patients. Many have lost their lives due to COVID-19, it said.
The federation requested the Delhi government to employ more paramedics considering the spike in coronavirus cases.
Coronavirus Pandemic: World's Largest COVID Facility In Delhi
The Delhi government has started converting the Radha Soami Spiritual Centre in South Delhi into world's largest temporary COVID-19 care facility with 10,000 beds.
Read Here Coronavirus India: Karnataka government to scale up testing as COVID-19 cases increase
With increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the state, the Karnataka government on Tuesday decided to scale up testing and extensively test those who are vulnerable.
"Due to an increase in cases in the last two weeks, the government is trying to scale up testing to 15,000 to 25,000 samples per day," Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar was quoted as saying by his office in a release.
People in crowded areas, pourakarmikas (civic workers), street vendors, healthcare workers, police and all other people who are in the frontline will be tested extensively, he said.
There are 71 labs in the state, of which 41 are government and 30 are private.
Delhi records 1,859 fresh coronavirus cases, taking tally to over 44,000; number of deaths reaches to 1,837: Report
Two ITBP personnel among 78 test COVID-19 positive in Chhattisgarh
The number of COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh increased to 1,784 on Tuesday after 78 people, including two Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, tested positive in the last 24 hours, a health official said.
Besides, a total of 102 patients were discharged from different hospitals across the state on Tuesday following their recovery from the infection, he said.
While 31 cases were reported on Tuesday, 47 people found to have contracted the infection on Monday night," he said.
Of the new cases, 31 were reported from Balodabazar district, 11 from Raipur, six each from Durg and Rajnandgaon districts, five each from Korba and Gariaband districts, four from Balrampur and two each from Narayanpur and Mahasamund districts," the official said.
Coronavirus: 104 new COVID-19 cases reported in Punjab today
With 104 persons testing positive for COVID-19 in Punjab on Tuesday, the positive cases count in the state rises to 3,371.
Out of the total cases 2,461 patients have recovered from the lethal infection while 838 patients are active cases.
A total of 10 patients are on oxygen support in the state, as per the bulletin, while one patient is in critical care and on ventilator support.
72 deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported in the state, as of Tuesday.
With an increase of 10,667 cases and 380 deaths in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 count in India has reached 3,43,091 on Tuesday, according to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
79 more test positive for COVID-19 in Kerala, active cases reach 1366
At least 79 new coronavirus cases were reported in Kerala on Tuesday taking the total number of active cases in the state to 1,366, the state health department said.
According to the health department, as many as 1,234 people have recovered from the virus after treatment in the state. There are currently at least 125 hotspots in Kerala.
Kerala government has recently eased travel and quarantine restrictions for those visiting the state for a period up to seven days, after obtaining entry passes for the same.
With an increase of 10,667 cases and 380 deaths in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 count in India has reached 3,43,091 on Tuesday.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reviews COVID-19 situation in the state
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday held a meeting via video conferencing with Ministers, District Collectors, Chief Medical Health Officials (CMHOs) regarding the situation of COVID-19 in the state.
"Holding a review meeting through VC (video conferencing) from residence regarding (the) Corona(virus) situation in districts and Jagrukta Abhiyaan about the COVID19 pandemic with ministers, officers, collectors, CMHOs and other officials," tweeted Mr Gehlot.
He further said that the ten-day ''special abhiyaan'' would be held from June 21 to June 30 in villages, wards, mohallas to make people aware of the dangers of the virus.
Coronavirus: Uttar Pradesh's COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 61 per cent
Uttar Pradesh Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad on Tuesday said that with 8,904 people recovered so far, the recovery rate in the state stood at 61 per cent.
During a press conference, he said that a total of 516 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases to 5,259 in Uttar Pradesh.
"A total of 516 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Uttar Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases to 5259. A total of 8,904 people have recovered," Mr Prasad said.
"The recovery rate is 61 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. A total of 435 patients have died due to the virus in the state," added Prasad.
Coronavirus Lockdown: Jodhpur Railway Division sends 50 isolation coaches to Northern Railway
The Jodhpur Division of North-Western Railway zone has converted 150 sleeper coaches into isolation coaches for COVID-19 patients and sent 50 of them to Northern Railways.
Senior Public Relations Officer, Jodhpur Railway Division, Gopal Sharma said, "150 sleeper coaches in Jodhpur workshop were converted into isolation coaches by removing one berth in the three-tier sleeper coach. 50 coaches out of these were sent to Northern Railway by special teams."
"Mosquito nets were installed on the windows and in each coach a cabin was prepared for the doctor and nurse, in which medical equipment and oxygen cylinders have been arranged. In addition, a toilet of the coach was also converted into a bathroom, in addition to putting plastic curtains," he added.
COVID-19: 75 fresh cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded 75 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of people infected by the disease in the Union Territory to 5,298, officials said.
Sixteen cases were reported from the Jammu region and 59 from the Kashmir region of the Union Territory.
The cases detected on Tuesday included 23 persons who had returned to Jammu and Kashmir recently.
COVID-19: Shutdown in Odisha's Khordha from 2 PM to 6 AM daily till June 30
All shops, market complexes except medicine shops and petrol pumps will remain closed from 2 pm to 6 am every day in Khordha sub-division area in wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, according to an order issued by District Collector Sitanshu Kumar Rout on Tuesday.
The order will come into force with immediate effect and will be applicable till June 30.
"All shops, market complexes except medicine shops and petrol pumps are hereby shut down from 2 pm to 6 am every day. However, the shops are allowed to open from 6 am to 2 pm every day (except weekend shutdown period), observing all social distancing norms," said the order.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee offers to create COVID care centres in its gurdwaras
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Tuesday offered to create and operate COVID care centres for mild coronavirus cases in the national capital.
"We can create COVID care centres on the premises of our gurdwaras across the city to cater to those with low fever, sore throat, and other such mild symptoms," DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The Sikh body requested the Delhi government to grant it permission to operate the centres in view of the growing demand for beds for coronavirus patients.
Mr Sirsa said that these centres will provide the best medical care, oxygen and laboratory services to the patients.
The DSGMC will take care of food, drinking water, medicines, oxygen, hematological and biochemistry laboratory services, he said.
India's COVID-19 recovery rate rises to 52.47 pc, more than half of positive cases recovered: Health Ministry
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday informed that the recovery rate of patients suffering from COVID-19 has risen to 52.47 per cent in the country, indicative of the fact that "more than half of positive cases have recovered" from the disease.
On Monday, the Health Ministry reported that India's recovery rate was 51.08 per cent.
"During the last 24 hours, 10,215 COVID-19 patients were cured. A total of 1,80,012 patients, so far, have been cured of COVID-19," said the Union Health Ministry in a press release.
"The recovery rate rises to 52.47 per cent, which is indicative of the fact that more than half of positive cases have recovered from the disease," the Health Ministry added.
COVID-19 testing capacity reaches 3 lakhs samples a day: Health Ministry
India has tested 59,21,069 COVID-19 samples and the country now has the capacity to test 3 lakh samples per day, said Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Tuesday.
In a release, the Health Ministry said, "The testing capacity for detecting the coronavirus in infected persons in the country is continuously being ramped up. The country now has the capacity to test 3 lakh samples per day. The total number of samples tested thus far is 59,21,069 with 1,54,935 samples tested in the last 24 hours."
"A network of 907 labs has been created in the country as on date. This includes 659 labs in the government sector and 248 in the private sector," it added.
193 new COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh, total count rises to 5,280
With 193 persons testing positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours in Andhra Pradesh, the total number of cases in the state has risen to 5,280.
A state government health bulletin said that 81 patients have been discharged in the last 24 hours taking the number of discharged patients to 2,851.
The bulletin said that two deaths have been reported due to the disease in the last 24 hours taking the number of patients who have succumbed to the virus to 88. There are 2,341 active cases in the state.
Coronavirus India: Assam reports 10 more COVID-19 cases, count rises to 4,319
With 10 more persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam on Tuesday, the total positive cases rises to 4,319 in the state, said the state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
"10 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Assam today. Three from Dhemaji, 3 from Udalguri, 2 from Sonitpur, 1 from Nagaon, and 1 from Hojai," tweeted Mr Sarma.
Out of the total cases, 2,205 patients have recovered while there are 2,103 active cases.
Eight patients have succumbed to the deadly virus while three patients have been migrated.
Losses due to coronavirus can be minimised if all rules are followed: PM Modi
India is among countries with least number deaths due to COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday and noted that the country minimise its losses if all the rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus are followed.
The Prime Minister made the remarks on the first day of his sixth meeting with chief ministers and union territories through video conferencing on ways to deal with crisis created by coronavirus.
Today, the recovery rate in India is above 50 per cent: PM Modi
Today experts including health experts across the globe amid lockdown are discussing the discipline shown by the people of India in containing the virus. Today, the recovery rate in India is above 50 per cent.
In last few weeks, thousands of Indians returned to India from abroad and hundreds of migrant workers reached their home towns.
Almost all modes of transport have resumed operations, still COVID-19 impact has not been that huge in India as in other parts of world
We always have to keep in mind that we are able to stop corona from spreading. As a result, our economy will open, our offices will open, the markets will open, the means of transport will open, and equally will new employment opportunities be created
Our small factories need guidance. I know a lot of work is being done in this direction under your leadership. For trade and industry to catch up with its old pace, we will also have to work together on Value Chains
In last few weeks, thousands of Indians returned to India from abroad & hundreds of migrant workers reached their home towns. Almost all modes of transport have resumed operations, still COVID-19 impact has not been that huge in India in comparison to other parts of world
To think of stepping out without a mask or face cover is not right at present. "Do gaj ki doori", hand-washing and use of sanitisers is of utmost importance. With markets opening and people stepping out, these precautions are even more important
In future when India will study the fight against Corona, we will also remember how we worked together during this time, presenting the best example of Co-operative Federalism: PM Narendra Modi
''Made in India ventilators'' become reality, 3000 units distributed to hospitals
As a part of Make in India initiative, the central government has started distributing indigenous ventilators to hospitals across the country to fight against the COVID pandemic. In the first slot, about 3000 domestic ventilators have been distributed to states.
Ventilators are life-saving medical equipment required for COVID patients, as some of them tend to develop acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS).
On May 1, the Union Health Ministry, in a press statement, had indicated the projected demand of 75,000 ventilators till June. Accordingly, orders were rushed including the requirements of the state governments.
"So far, at least 3000 country-made ventilators have been distributed to states, which will be placed in various hospitals; few are under dispatch," a senior government official confirmed to news agency ANI.
In the coming days, the domestic production of ventilators is going to speed up, added the official.
COVID-19 News: Malaysia Reports 11 New Coronavirus Cases, Total Reaches Over 8,000
Malaysian health authorities reported 11 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the cumulative total to 8,505 infections.Total fatalities in the country remain at 121, with no new deaths reported, news agency Reuters reported.
Coronavirus News: Four Fresh COVID-19 Cases In Mizoram, Total Rises To 121
Four more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, taking the northeast states tally to 121, an official said today.
Of the total 121 cases, 120 are active while one has recovered, the official said.
He said that of 705 samples tested on Monday, four people from Aizawl district tested COVID-19 positive late on Monday night. Three of them have returned from Delhi and one from Maharashtra recently, he said.
The patients are in the age group of 2430 and are asymptomatic, he said.
The official also said that 5,370 samples have been tested so far at a hospital, of which 120 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, news agency PTI reported.
COVID-19 News: Indonesia Reports 1,106 Coronavirus Cases, 33 Deaths
Indonesia confirmed 1,106 new coronavirus infections and 33 more deaths on Tuesday, taking the number of cases past the 40,000 mark, its health ministry said.
The Southeast Asian country's total number of infections was 40,400 and fatalities 2,231, health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said, adding that 15,703 patients had recovered. news agency Reuters reported.
Coronavirus: UK COVID-19 Death Count Hits 53,077 Including Suspected Cases: Report
The United Kingdom's suspected COVID-19 death count has hit 53,077, according to a Reuters tally of official data sources that underline the country's status as one of the worst hit in the world.
The Reuters tally comprises fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on death certificates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to June 5, and up to June 7 in Scotland.
It also includes more recent hospital deaths. Unlike the lower death count published daily by the government, the death certificate figures include suspected cases, news agency Reuters reported.
Coronavirus News: Ventilators To India Will Prove To Be "Life Savour" For Many COVID-19 Patients: US Envoy
US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster today said that ventilators provided by the United States to India will prove to be a life savour for many patients.
"The patients whose lungs are not giving proper oxygen, this vital support will be life savour. These ventilators will complement India's ongoing work to get quality health work to all those who need it," said US Ambassador.
Mr Juster's remark came after the US handed the first tranche 100 ventilators to India here at the Indian Red Cross Headquarters.
"COVID-19 pandemic is a great threat to all of us. With partnership and cooperation, we will be able to give better health to our people. The US has been providing access to medical supplies and Ventilators to countries which need medical support," he added.
He further said, "I want to get close with the work done by the health professionals and front line workers in India and US who have been helping to fight the disease."
The first lot of ventilators, which arrived on Monday, is high technology are manufactured by Zoll US-based firm and are arriving from Chicago in the US, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Singapore Reports 151 COVID-19 Cases, Lowest Rise In Over 2 Months
Singapore's health ministry on Tuesday reported 151 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday in the smallest daily increase in more than two months.The city state's tally of infections stands at 40,969, news agency Reuters reported.
Coronavirus News: Odisha Reports 108 COVID-19 Cases, Total Reaches Over 4,000-Mark
108 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Odisha in the last 24 hours, said the State Health Department today.
With the new cases, the total number of coronavirus cases in the state has reached 4,163.
With an increase of 10,667 cases and 380 deaths in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 count in India has reached 3,43,091 today, according to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
The COVID-19 count includes 1,53,178 active cases, while 1,80,013 patients have been cured and discharged or migrated so far, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Air India Flight With Stranded Indians To Depart From Manila For Chennai
The Air India flight carrying stranded Indians under the third phase of Vande Bharat Mission will depart today from Manila for Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
"Vande Bharat Mission Philippines Phase 3 begins as happy passengers of AI 1309 Manila to Chennai, Visakhapatnam begin their check-in procedures," High Commission in the Philippines said in a tweet.
The Vande Bharat Mission is a Government of India's initiative to bring back home Indian nationals stranded in various parts of the world due to restrictions over air travel to contain COVID-19 spread, news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Flight With Stranded Indians To Depart From Dhaka For Delhi, Ahmedabad Under Vande Bharat Mission
A special flight with stranded Indians under the Vande Bharat Mission is slated to depart from Dhaka today, for Delhi and Ahmedabad.
"Phase 3 of Vande Bharat Mission is underway from Dhaka. Today''s @airindiain will carry Indian citizens to Delhi and Ahmedabad," High Commission in Bangladesh said in a tweet on Tuesday.
The Vande Bharat Mission is a Government of India's initiative to bring back home Indian nationals stranded in various parts of the world due to restrictions over air travel to contain COVID-19 spread.
A total of 1,65,375 people have returned, including 29,034 migrant workers under the Vande Bharat Mission, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on June 11, news agency ANI reported.
COVID-19 News: Health Minister Of Delhi Satyendar Jain Tests Negative For Coronavirus
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain tested negative for coronavirus. He was admitted to hospital last night with high fever and complaints of breathing trouble, a day after he attended a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others. He was tested this morning for coronavirus at Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital.
Coronavirus News: 2 Delhi Hotels "Feasible" To Use As COVID-19 Facility: Expert Panel
The Delhi High Court was informed by an expert committee of doctors that it was "advisable and infrastructurally feasible" to use two luxurious hotels in Delhi- Hotel Surya and Hotel Crowne Plaza -- as extended COVID-19 facilities.
The two-member committee of AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria and V K Paul, Member of the Niti Aayog, submitted its report before Justice Navin Chawla who conducted the hearing through video conferencing.
"The committee after visiting the hotels is of the opinion that it is advisable as well as infrastructurally feasible to use Hotel Surya and hotel Hotel Crowne Plaza as extended COVID facilities in NCT of Delhi," the report said.
The panel said Hotel Surya has three huge banquet halls which can easily accommodate around 50-60 patient beds and a central lobby which can act as a central nursing station.
Similarly, Hotel Crowne Plaza has one banquet hall which could accommodate around 25 beds, it said, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Mass Testing of Nearly 9,000 In Beijing After COVID-19 Cases Reach 106-Mark
The COVID-19 cases in Beijing have jumped to 106, a senior city official said on Tuesday, warning that the situation is "extremely severe" in China's capital where the authorities have mounted massive containment measures including mass testing of about 90,000 people and lockdown around the wholesale market which reported the new infections.
Twenty-seven new cases were reported in the last 22 hours, Beijing city spokesman Xu Hejian said, adding that strict measures have been implemented to stem the spread of the deadly virus.
Since the outbreak at the Xinfadi wholesale market in the last five days, the total confirmed new cases have reached 106, he said.
The official, who is also deputy minister of the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, said the epidemic situation in Beijing remained "extremely severe".
"This is our top priority. We have to strictly implement all the measures and seize every minute," he said.
Earlier, China's National Health Commission (NHC) reported 46 new coronavirus cases including 27 in Beijing, which is currently testing thousands of people and lockdown many residential areas following a sudden spurt of a cluster of cases from a local wholesale market.
The NHC on Tuesday reported 40 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday of which 27 were reported in Beijing, four in Hebei Province, and one in Sichuan Province, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Pakistan Reports Over 4,000 New Cases, Total Crosses 1,45,000-Mark
Pakistan's COVID-19 cases reached 148,919 after 4,443 new infections were detected, while 111 more people have died due to the coronavirus, pushing the death count to 2,839, the health ministry said today.
According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 25,015 tests were done in the last 24 hours taking the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the country to 9,22,665.
Out of the total 1,48,919 infections, Punjab has reported 55,878 cases, Sindh 55,581, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 18,472, Islamabad 8,857, Balochistan 8,327, Gilgit-Baltistan 1,143 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 663.
The ministry said that 111 more patients died in the last 24 hours. With the new deaths, the tally of persons who died due to the virus reached 2,839 and another 56,390 people have fully recovered so far across the country, news agency PTI reported.
Coronavirus News: Rajasthan Reports Over 100 COVID-19 Cases, Total Reaches 13,096-Mark
With 115 more COVID-19 cases and one death reported in Rajasthan, the tally for coronavirus cases in the state stands at 13,096, said the state Health Department.
These cases were reported from Bharatpur, 68, Jaipur, 21, Jhunjhunu, 8, Tonk, 6, Dausa, 4, Sirohi, 4, Jhalawar, 3, and Bhilwara ,1, districts of the state.
As per the official data, there are 3,000 active cases while 9,794 have recovered and 9,567 were discharged news agency ANI reported.
Coronavirus News: Bengal School Students Build "Ayurvedic Sanitisation Tunnel" To Disinfect People
Students of a private school in East Burdwan district of West Bengal have built an "ayurvedic sanitisation tunnel" to disinfect people entering the educational institute.
Twelve people can be disinfected inside the tunnel at a time, a spokesperson of the Memari Crystal Model School said today.
The "ayurvedic sanitiser" contains camphor oil, menthol and thyme oil, he said, adding that the tunnel was built at the Technology Club workshop in the school by students under the supervision of teachers.
"The herbal disinfectants will automatically be sprayed on the people entering the tunnel," the spokesperson said, news agency PTI reported.
Delhi Health Minister to be tested for Coronavirus today
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has been admitted to the national capital's Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital due to high fever and breathing trouble. He will be tested for coronavirus today.
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh reopens for tourists
The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which was shut since March-end due to coronavirus outbreak, has reopened for tourists after a gap of over two-and-a-half months, officials said.
On the first day of its reopening on Monday, 76 tourists visited the tiger reserve in 19 vehicles, they said. The reserve was opened in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre and the state government.
US agency warns against combination of hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir
The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday issued a warning to healthcare providers against administering malaria drug hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine in combination with Gilead Sciences' experimental COVID-19 drug, remdesivir.
The agency, based on data from a recent non-clinical study, said the co-administration may result in reduced antiviral activity of remdesivir. The warning comes hours after the agency revoked the emergency use authorization of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, which has been touted by the US President Donald Trump.
China's Beijing puts fresh curbs to stop spread of coronavirus
China authorities imposed more restrictions to stop the spread of a fresh outbreak of coronavirus in Beijing to other provinces, banning outbound travel of high-risk people and suspending some transportation services out of the city
Beijing officials reported on Tuesday 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases for June 15, taking the cumulative number of infections in the city's current outbreak to 106. The Chinese capital has gone into a "wartime" mode on a district level, with local neighbourhoods instituting 24-hour security checkpoints, closing schools and telling people to step up social distancing.
Only 3 Ventilator Beds Across Five Hospitals In Delhi, NDTV FindsA reality check of five of hospitals in Delhi found a huge paucity of beds, especially in the Intensive Care Units and ones attached to ventilators. Only three ventilator beds and five ICU beds were available across the five hospitals, where charges ranged from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 a day, NDTV found. Besides, 70 per cent of the beds in these hospitals were occupied.
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CCTV For Delhi's Coronavirus Wards, Orders Amit Shah After Hospital VisitCoronavirus wards in all hospitals will be fitted with CCTV cameras within 24 hours, the Delhi government has ordered following Union home minister Amit Shah's instructions on the issue. The minister had made a surprise visit on Monday at the national capital's Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital -- a dedicated facility to treat coronavirus -- days after the Supreme Court's strong criticism regarding the handling of the pandemic by several states, including Delhi.
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