New Delhi: The COVID-19 variant first found in India will henceforth be referred to as the "Delta variant", the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today. Covid-19 variants are to be known by letters of the Greek alphabet to avoid stigmatising nations where they were first detected, it said.
The new system applies to variants of concern -- the most troubling of which four are in circulation -- and the second-level variants of interest being tracked.
"They will not replace existing scientific names, but are aimed to help in public discussion," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's Covid-19 technical lead.
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded over 1.52 lakh, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,80,47,534 according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 20,26,092 which now comprises 7.22 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate is 91.60 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 1,52,734 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 3,29,100 with 3,128 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, with more than 8,000 children catching the coronavirus in the month of May in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar, the state has started taking extra steps to minimise the impact of a possible third wave of COVID-19 that may affect children more.
In Maharashtra's Sangli city, a COVID-19 ward is being prepared especially for children. Currently, five children are being treated here and the facility is being prepared for more patients.
"We have prepared this Covid ward for kids so that if and when the third wave comes, we are prepared. And kids will not feel they are in a hospital but instead will feel they are in a school or a nursery," corporator Abhijit Bhosale said.
Here are the Highlights on Covid-19 Cases in India:
May 31, 2021 21:33 (IST)
COVID-19: Nagaland reports more recoveries than fresh cases
Nagaland on Monday reported more recoveries than fresh COVID-19 cases as 215 people were cured of the disease while 117 new infections pushed the tally to 21,680, a health department official said.
This is for the first time since April 14 that the State has more patients recovering than fresh infections in a day.
"117 +ve cases of COVID-19 reported today. Kohima-47, Dimapur-33, Mokokchung-9, Wokha-Zunheboto-7 each, Mon-6, Kiphire-5, Longleng-Phek-Tuensang-1 each. 215 +ve patients have recovered. Dimapur- 128, Kohima- 36, Zunheboto- 12, Longleng-Phek- 11 each, Mon- 9, Kiphire-Mokokchung- 3 each, Peren- 2," said Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom in a tweet.
May 31, 2021 19:11 (IST)
"Zero Vaccine Policy Like Dagger In Mother India's Heart": Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the central government has a "zero vaccine policy" which is acting as a "dagger in Mother India's heart".
He also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over media reports which claimed that post-COVID the unemployment rate was in double digits in May this year.
"The zero vaccine policy of the Modi government is acting like a dagger in Mother India's heart. Sad truth," Mr Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
"One man and his arrogance + One virus and its mutants," he said in another tweet, citing a report that claimed that "97 percent of Indians are poorer post-COVID".
May 31, 2021 18:09 (IST)
Nearly 25 Crore Vaccine Doses Likely By August: Central Covid Panel
With ramping up of production capacities, nearly 25 crore 'Made in India' vaccines are expected to be available by August, a senior official has said and noted that it will go a long way in meeting the target of vaccinating one crore people daily against COVID-19.
There has been shortage of vaccines after it was decided to open up vaccination to all those above 18 years.
"Yesterday, SII in a letter mentioned that they will be manufacturing 10-12 crore of vaccine doses, which is almost 50 per cent ramping up (of their capacity) by June-end. Similarly, Covaxin is also going to increase its production and by July-end they will also produce between 10-12 crore doses (per month)," said Dr NK Arora, Chairman of COVID-19 working group under National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
