COVID-19 Cases India Updates: India has crossed 7 lakh coronavirus cases. (File)
India's biggest single-day surge in coronavirus cases with 24,879 new infections reported in the last 24 hours has taken the country's tally to 7,67,296 cases, the Union Health Ministry said this morning.
Around 4.76 lakh patients have recovered since the beginning of the pandemic; 21,129 deaths linked to the illness have been recorded, according to the official figures. In the last 24 hours, 487 COVID-19 patients died.
India has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the world after the United States (30,54,695) and Brazil (17,13,160).
Here are the updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases In India:
Bolivia President Jeanine Anez Tests Positive For CoronavirusBolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez announced on Thursday that she has tested positive for coronavirus.
"I've tested positive for COVID-19, I'm fine, I will work from isolation," she tweeted.
The 53-year-old said in a video on Twitter that she would remain in quarantine for 14 days before taking another test.
Anez becomes the second South American president in a matter of days to contract the coronavirus after Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro announced his positive result on Tuesday.
Read Coronavirus News: Lockdown In UP From Friday Night Till Monday Morning Amid COVID-19 PandemicCoronavirus cases across Uttar Pradesh spiraling, lockdown will be imposed across the state for three days, starting at 10 pm on Friday, during which only essential services will be allowed, the state government said. The rest, government and private offices, shops for non-essential items, malls and restaurants, will be shut. Buses and other public transport will be off the roads. The lockdown will be lifted at 5 am on Monday.
The government, though, will allow incoming trains and the passengers will be able to use special buses to get home.
The other exception will be factories in rural areas, which will be allowed to operate. Work on roads -- highways and expressways -- will also be on.
This is the first time the state government is going for a blanket lockdown since the Centre started lifting the restrictions in May. Earlier, the state had enforced extra restrictions in pockets and containment areas, and sealed borders with Delhi at Ghaziabad and Noida.
Read Big Dip In Coronavirus Numbers In Chennai, But Madurai Up Five-FoldThe daily increase in coronavirus figures of Chennai -- the epicenter of the disease in Tamil Nadu -- has dipped by a whopping 60 per cent over the last five days, but new hotspots are emerging in districts. From a peak of 2000-plus, the daily average in Chennai is down to around 1,200. But 465 km away in the temple town of Madurai, the infection is raging.
There's a five-fold rise in numbers in Madurai over the last 16 days -- from June 23 to July 9. Though the city is under complete lockdown, the total has spiked from 988 to 5,299.
In the same period, the numbers have doubled or almost doubled in Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts adjoining Chennai. Thiruvallur has 5,877 cases and Chengalpattu has 7,386 cases now.
Read Coronavirus News: Ghaziabad Seeks Government's Approval To Convert Haj House Into COVID Care Centre
The Ghaziabad district administration on Thursday sent a proposal to the Uttar Pradesh minorities welfare department to convert Ala Hazrat Haj House into a 500-bed COVID-19 care centre, reported by PTI. Besides, Municipal Commissioner Dinesh Chandra has also been instructed to make all essential arrangements inside the premises. The recommendation has been initiated due to the rising graph of coronavirus cases which may increase in the near future, District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey told PTI. Officials led by the district magistrate took stock of the building to find out how to make use of the space in the best possible way. After getting permission from the state government, a 500-bed COVID centre would be kept in reserve, Pandey said. The Haj House located on GT Road near Hindon Bridge which connects Ghaziabad city to Sahibabad area is spread over an area of 4.3 acres. Inside the premises, it has six floors with 47 dormitory halls and 36 VIP rooms that can accommodate 1,886 peeople apart from a large ground, DM Pandey added.
Coronavirus News: Mysore Palace Closed After Staff's Relative Tests Positive For Coronavirus
The renowned Mysore Palace has been closed on Thursday after a relative of an employee at the palace tested positive for coronavirus, an official said, reported ANI. The palace has been closed for the visitors in the view of rising COVID-19 cases. Authorities have decided to re-open the palace on Monday. Earlier the Palace was closed for tourists for a week from March 15 to 22, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Mysore Palace committee said. According to the Union Health Ministry, Karnataka has reported 28,877 COVID-19 cases including 16,531 active, 11,876 cured/discharged/migrated while 470 died from the infection.
Coronavirus News: Rajasthan Reports 9 Fresh COVID-19 Deaths, 500 New Cases
Rajasthan reported nine more COVID-19 deaths and 500 fresh cases of the infection on Thursday, taking the death count to 491 and the tally in the state to 22,563, officials said, reported PTI. The number of active cases stands at 5,002. Three deaths each were reported in Jodhpur and Pali and one each in Jaipur, Nagaur and Udaipur, they said. In Jaipur alone, the death toll due to the coronavirus infection stands at 170, followed by 65 in Jodhpur, 40 in Bharatpur, 26 in Kota, 22 in Ajmer, 18 in Bikaner, 15 in Nagaur, 15 in Pali and 11 in Dholpur. According to an official report, 112 new cases were reported in Jodhpur, 55 in Nagaur, 53 in Barmer, 48 in Jaipur, 43 in Bikaner, 34 in Ajmer, 29 in Bharatpur, 21 in Alwar, 16 in Sikar, 15 in Udaipur, 13 in Churu, 11 in Dausa, eight in Jhunjhunu and seven each in Karauli, Pali, Sirohi, besides cases in other districts. A total of 16,712 people have been discharged after treatment so far.
Coronavirus News: Pune Administration Looking To Increase COVID Beds
Anticipating a surge in cases in Pune city in August, the civic administration is trying to increase beds for coronavirus patients at private hospitals, reported PTI. The city has reported around 24,000 coronavirus cases and over 940 deaths so far. "We had a meeting with representatives of over 100 private hospitals in the city to increase COVID beds. I ordered that some hospitals be converted into 100 per cent COVID Care Centers," said municipal commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad. Anticipating a surge in coronavirus cases in August, the civic administration is taking these pre-emptive measures to increase availability of beds for COVID-19 patients, he said. "We are also thinking of creating a jumbo facility in the city which will be equipped with oxygen beds and have necessary medical staff. Search is on for a place to set it up," the commissioner added.
Coronavirus News: 5 More COVID-19 Deaths In Punjab; Total Cases Cross 7,000
Five more people died of COVID-19 in Punjab on Thursday, raising the death count to 183 while 234 fresh cases pushed the state's infection tally to 7,140, according to a medical bulletin, reported PTI. The new fatalities were reported in Amritsar, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur, the bulletin said. 57 fresh cases were reported in Ludhiana, followed by 42 in Patiala, 34 in Jalandhar; 16 in Sangrur; 14 in Amritsar; 10 in Mohali; nine each in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur; eight in Fatehgarh Sahib; seven in Gurdaspur; five in Kapurthala; four in SBS Nagar; three each in Moga, Rupnagar, Muktsar, Hoshiarpur; two each in Pathankot, Mansa and Faridkot and one in Bathinda. The Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) and Sub Divisional Magistrate (Shahkot) also tested positive for the infection, Jalandhar Civil Surgeon Gurwinder Kaur Chawla said. 11 PCS (Punjab Civil Services) and other senior officers, including Sangrur Civil Surgeon, have already contracted the infection, a government statement said.
Coronavirus News: Delhi Public Works Department Forms COVID-19 Support Group For Staff, Families
The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) on Thursday constituted a ''COVID-19 Support Group'' to help its employees and their family members who have either tested positive for coronavirus or are suspected to have contracted the infection, officials said, reported PTI. According to PWD, medical assistance will also be provided to its retired employees and their families. As part of the COVID-19 support group, a five-member "Action Group" has also been formed and the department has designated its control room helpline to support employees who are coronavirus positive or are suspected to have contracted the infection. The control room, which works round-the-clock, will continue to perform its other duties, officials said. In an office memorandum, the PWD said its health maintenance unit will provide and maintain a stock of 20 full body PPE kits in the control room for coordinating officers.
Coronavirus News: Bengal Reports Over 1,000 Cases In Biggest One-Day Jump With 27 DeathsBengal records highest one-day jump of 1,088 COVID-19 cases taking state's tally to 25,911. The death count in the state now stands at 854 with 27 deaths in the last 24 hours, PTI reported citing the state health bulletin.
Coronavirus News: 16 Test Positive For Coronavirus In Chandigarh, Total At 523
Chandigarh on Thursday reported a surge in fresh coronavirus cases with 16 more people, including an eight-month-old infant, testing positive for the infection, reported PTI. With this, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the city has reached 523. Four members of a family including a 14-year-old boy contracted the virus. Besides, two cases each were reported from sectors 55 and 45 and one each from sectors 51, 40, 52, 19 and 27, the medical bulletin said.
Coronavirus News: BS Yediyurappa Seeks People's Support In Tackling COVID-19
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday cautioned people that the COVID-19 pandemic will last many months and sought the public's support in the fight against the virus, reported PTI. "Let us together control coronavirus. This is not a one or two days' affair. We may have to face the problem for many months," the chief minister told reporters after inspecting the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on Tumakuru Road, which has been converted into a COVID care centre with 10,100 beds and claimed to be the country's largest.
Coronavirus News: One More Tests Positive For Coronavirus In Sikkim, Count At 134
A 25-year-old man on Thursday tested positive taking the tally of COVID-19 cases in Sikkim to 134, a health official said, reported PTI. The Director General of Police (DG)-cum-Secretary, Health, Dr Pempa T Bhutia, said that the man, who had returned from Bihar on June 29, was lodged in a paid quarantine centre in the state capital where his swab was taken for testing recently. The patient has now been admitted to STNM Hospital, Mr Bhutia said. The number of active cases in Sikkim stands at 49, while 72 others have been cured of the disease, he said, adding that 13 patients have migrated.
More than 2.3 lakh COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, death count rises to 9,667: Report
Maharashtra's COVID-19 case count rose to 2,30,599 today with the addition of 6,875 new cases, while 219 deaths took the death count to 9,667, the state health department said.
A health department statement said 4,067 patients were discharged from hospitals, taking the total recoveries to 1,27,259 in the state.
There are 93,673 active cases in the state, it said. So far, 12,22,487 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Maharashtra, the statement added.
Over 14,000 COVID-19 cases in Assam, 24 deaths: Minister
Assam reported two more COVID-19 deaths today, pushing the death count due to the infection in the state to 24, Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
"Very sad to inform that 2 more COVID-19 + patients admitted in GMCH Covid ICU succumbed to their critical infections this morning. Both were on invasive ventilation. My condolences," Mr Sarma tweeted.
Assam has so far reported 14,032 COVID-19 cases -- the state now has 5,279 active cases, while 8,726 patients have been discharged following their recovery.
Punjab government to set up plasma bank for COVID-19 treatment
The Punjab government will set up a plasma bank to facilitate plasma therapy treatment in the state.
The approval for the same was given by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, while chairing a review meeting here via video conferencing, of the COVID-19 situation in the state.
He approved the establishment of the plasma bank under the supervision and guidance of Neelam Marwaha, former Head of Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine.
Under Vande Bharat Mission, 5,80,000 brought home from abroad: Centre
A total of 5,80,000 Indians have been evacuated from different countries under the Vande Bharat Mission as of July 8, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The ministry's spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava, said 637 international flights have been scheduled in the ongoing fourth phase of the mission.
"Phase 4 of Vande Bharat Mission is underway. Under this phase, 637 international flights have already been scheduled and these flights would service 29 airports in India," Mr Srivastava said.
Jodhpur Bench of Rajasthan High Court Closed After Staffer Gets COVID-19There was panic at the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court today after the personal secretary of a high court judge tested positive for coronavirus. The secretary had come in direct contact with many judges, lawyers and other employees forcing immediate suspension of all work at the court and its closure till further orders."
Bihar reports 704 new COVID-19 cases, taking total count to 13,978
A total of 704 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Bihar today, the State Health Department said.
The state's count of coronavirus cases has climbed to 13,978, including 9,541 recovered cases, the health department added.
WHO launches pandemic response panel
The World Health Organization, which faced criticism for its handling of the coronavirus crisis, said it had launched an independent pandemic response panel headed by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
"Through you the world will understand the truth of what happened and also the solutions to build our future better as one humanity," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the UN agency's headquarters in Geneva.
World Health Organization says divided world cannot defeat pandemic
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a divided planet could not conquer the coronavirus crisis, after the US formally started its withdrawal from the UN agency.
"We cannot defeat this pandemic as a divided world... Together is the solution unless we want to give the advantage to the enemy, to the virus that has taken the world hostage," he said at the agency's Geneva headquarters.
Bharat Biotech, Cadilla Healthcare developing vaccines: Health Ministry
The Health Ministry says Bharat Biotech and Cadilla Healthcare are developing vaccines.
"Both vaccines completed animal toxicity studies after approval. The Drug Controller General of India has permitted these 2 vaccines to go in for phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Trials are yet to begin... we hope it begins soon," says R Bhushan, an official of the Health Ministry.
Localised outbreaks in some areas, not in community transmission: Health Ministry
The health ministry says that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not provided any standard definition of the localised outbreak and community transmission. "They have given its member states the right to report after assessing the local conditions," says Rajesh Bhushan, OSD, Ministry of Health.
On reports that the virus may be airborne, the official says: "It is a dynamic and evolving situation; we are keeping abreast with the information coming from WHO headquarters on this aspect."
He says social distancing will help against droplets in the air and protect against airborne transmission.
Over 20,000 COVID-19 tests being conducted every day in Delhi: Centre
The government says it is moving to open up the activities in a staggered manner. "Guidelines on masks, social distancing, spitting in public places must be followed. To improve the COVID situation in Delhi-NCR, the home ministry is meeting officers regularly. Experts are part of the meets and important decisions have also been taken."
"Till July 8, 6,79,831 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Delhi, that means 35,780 tests per 10 lakh people. Over 20,000 tests are being conducted daily," says Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry.
Number of COVID-19 tests has increased: Top medical body ICMR
Indian Council of Medical Research senior scientist Nivedita Gupta says the number of tests has increased, on an average, "we are testing more than 2.6 Lakhs of samples per day. We hope to see a further rise by the use of the antigen test."
The ICMR has approved a new test which is being used in the containment zones and hospitals.
The officials are following "Test, Track and Treat", which is helping them identify early stages and reduce burden on healthcare system.
Gap between active and recovered cases increasing: Health Ministry
The healthy ministry says the gap between active and recovered cases is progressively increasing.
"When we talk of case load of COVID-19 in India, it is 2,69,000 people. This tells us that at the end of the day we have managed a situation where our health care infrastructure is not unduly burdened and is not creaking due to the pressure," says Rajesh Bhushan, OSD, Ministry of Health.
India managed COVID-19 crisis "relatively well": Health Ministry
The health ministry says India is second-most populated country in the world, and whenever we talk of the number of active coronavirus cases, total cases and death count, we should keep the population in mind.
"Despite a population of 1.3 billion, we have been able to manage COVID relatively well. If you look at cases per million population, we are the lowest," Rajesh Bhushan, OSD, Ministry of Health, said.
"Today we have 538 cases per million population, according to the WHO situation report. Cases per million population in some countries are at least 16-17 times more than what it is in India. We have 15 deaths per million population whereas we have countries where it is 40 times as much," he adds.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister asks officials to increase COVID-19 testing
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that 40,000 tests should be conducted in the state per day to trace the spread of coronavirus, according to news agency PTI.
Around 35,000 tests are being conducted per day in the state till now.
With COVID-19 cases rising in Jhansi, Kanpur and Varanasi, the chief minister said a team of specialist doctors should be sent to the three districts.
Awareness biggest weapon to fight coronavirus: Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot says: "Everyone has to understand that the risk of coronavirus infection is still very much there. Experts have warned that this global pandemic may take a more severe form in the coming days. In such a situation, awareness is the biggest weapon to fight against coronavirus."
8 states account for 90% of active coronavirus cases in India: Health Ministry
Eight states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka and Telangana, account for around 90 per cent of the active COVID-19 cases in the country and 80 per cent of the active cases have been reported from 49 districts, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 was informed today.
The ministers were told that six states -- Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal -- account for 86 per cent of the deaths caused by COVID-19 and 32 districts account for 80 per cent of such deaths, the Union health ministry said.
Seeing "green shoots" when it comes to economic recovery: PM Modi
PM Modi says that in these times when the world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, it is natural to talk about revival and there is faith that the story of global revival will have India playing a leading role.
"Indians have the spirit to achieve what is believed to be impossible. No wonder that in India, we are already seeing green shoots when it comes to economic recovery," PM Modi said while addressing the India Global Week 2020.
India will have important role in developing COVID-19 vaccine once discovered: PM Modi
PM Modi, at India Global Week 2020, says vaccines made in India are responsible for two-third of the vaccine needs of the world's children. "Today also our companies are active in international efforts for development and production of COVID-19 vaccine."
"I am certain that India will have an important role in developing and in scaling up production of the vaccine once it is discovered," the PM says.
India has one of the lowest cases per million: Centre
The global comparison between the five most-affected countries clearly depicted that India has one of the lowest cases per million (538) and deaths per million (15) compared the global average of 1,453 and 68.7, respectively, the Centre says.
No community transmission of COVID-19 in India: Health Minister
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, after a Group of Ministers meet on COVID-19, says: "During our discussions today, experts again stated that there is no community transmission in India. There may be some localised pockets where transmission is high but as a country, there is no community transmission."
'We are seeing on TV that India has become the third most COVID-19-affected country. It is necessary to see this in correct perspective, we are a country with the second highest population in the world. Our cases per million are 538, while world average is 1,453," he adds.
Odisha reports highest single-day spike of 577 COVID-19 cases, total count reaches 11,201
Odisha has reported its highest single-day spike of 577 COVID-19 cases, taking the count in the state to 11,201, a health department official said.
The death count climbed to 52 with four more people dying due to the disease, he said. "Regret to inform the death of four COVID positive patients while under treatment in hospitals," the Health Department said in a statement.
Delhi's New Plasma Policy Amid Worry Over Donor ShortageWith coronavirus patients in need of plasma outnumbering donors, the Delhi government has ordered that from now onwards if a COVID-19 patient at any hospital needs plasma from the plasma bank it will have to first arrange for a replacement donor. The onus to find a replacement donor will rest entirely upon the nodal officer of that hospital. The decision was taken to maintain stock at the plasma bank at ILBS Hospital, the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences."
Experts were raising questions on India amid pandemic: PM
PM Modi, in Varanasi, says: "Experts were raising questions on India, saying this time also the situation will get worse but what happened? Uttar Pradesh, a state with population 23-24 crore, with support of its people overcame all these apprehensions."
He says a huge country like Brazil, with a similar population to Uttar Pradesh, has suffered around 65,000 deaths due to COVID-19. "While in Uttar Pradesh, around 800 people have died, it means many lives have been saved in the state."
Around 100 years ago, a similar pandemic happened: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while interacting with NGO officials in Varanasi, appreciates the role of government departments in helping people, including in food distribution, during the coronavirus crisis.
"All those who worked during this crisis, it is not that they only carried out their responsibilities. There was a fear, in such a situation coming forward voluntarily, this is a new form of service," he says.
PM Modi says around a 100 years ago, "a similar pandemic happened, it is said that back then the population was not this big in India. Even then, at that time, India was one of the countries which had the most deaths. That is why whole world was concerned for India this time."
PM Modi interacts with NGOs in Varanasi on COVID-19 relief work
Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds an interaction with NGOs in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on relief efforts carried out during coronavirus pandemic.
First representative to share his views with the Prime Minister was Gangadhar Upadhyay from Gayatri Pariwar Rachnatmak Trust.
"This is the month of Sawan, in such a situation speaking with the people from Varanasi seems like a visit to Lord Bholenath (Shiva). This is the blessing of Lord Bholenath that even during COVID-19 crisis, our Varanasi is filled with enthusiasm," he says.'
"Kashi has vigorously countered the unprecedented coronavirus crisis," the PM adds.
Ayurvedic practitioners in India, US planning joint COVID-19 trials, says official
Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in India and the United States are planning to initiate joint clinical trials for Ayurveda formulations against the novel coronavirus, the Indian envoy in Washington has said.
In a virtual interaction with a group of eminent Indian-American scientists, academicians, and doctors on Wednesday, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the vast network of institutional engagements have brought scientific communities between the two countries together in the fight against COVID-19.
COVID-19 new cases: Telangana reports 1,924 new coronavirus cases
Telangana reported 1,924 new coronavirus cases and 11 deaths today.
According to the state government's data, the total number of cases reached to 29,536 including 11,933 active cases, 17,279 discharged cases and 324 deaths.
659 new cases reported in Rajasthan
A total of 659 new COVID-19 cases, 291 discharged and 10 deaths were reported in Rajasthan on Wednesday till 8:30 pm, according to the State Health Department.
With this, the total number of cases in the state is now at 22,063, including 4,715 active cases and 482 deaths.
India reported a spike of 22,752 COVID-19 cases, taking the country''s coronavirus tally to 7,42,417 on Wednesday, informed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Out of the total cases reported, 4,56,830 patients have been cured/discharged from the disease while one patient has been migrated, the Health Ministry informed.
Cipla Set To Undercut Rivals With Generic Remdesivir: Sources
Indian drugmaker Cipla Ltd has priced its generic version of Remdesivir, Cipremi, at 4,000 rupees ($53.34) per 100 mg vial, according to several sources, making it among the lowest priced versions of the COVID-19 treatment available so far globally."
Mumbai's COVID-19-related death's tally cross 5,000-mark
Mumbai's COVID-19-related death's tally crossed the 5,000-mark on Wednesday with 62 new fatalities, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
While the death toll reached 5,061, the tally of coronavirus cases in the country's financial capital rose to 87,513 with 1,381 new patients found since Tuesday evening.
The number of recovered COVID-19 patients rose to 59,238 with 1,101 persons discharged from hospitals during the day, the BMC said.
Coronavirus Update: Latest Numbers
Here are the latest figure on coronavirus pandemic in India:
Total cases: 7,42,417
Total deaths: 20,642
Total number of recoveries: 4,56,830,
Total number of active cases: 2,64,944
Recovery Rate: 61.53%