Covid-19 Cases in India: The recovery rate is 93.08 per cent.
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded over 1.32 lakh, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,85,74,350 according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 16,35,993 which now comprises 5.73 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate is 93.08 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 1,32,364 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 3,40,702
with 2,713 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, just after announcing a five-level unlock plan on Thursday, the Maharashtra government clarified that new rules to phase out Covid restrictions in place since mid-April are "still under consideration". This time, no timeline has been specified for the new plan.
Last evening, Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation minister Vijay Waddettiwar announced that five levels of unlocking the state had been decided on the basis of positivity rate and total oxygen beds occupancy. Level 1, for example, would mean that the lockdown can be lifted completely. Level 5 is the Red Zone, meaning a complete lockdown, he explained.
Mr Waddettiwar, who briefed the media after a meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, also said 18 districts had been listed for Level 1, including Thane.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus:
US sending $266.5 million in aid to Afghanistan for Covid responseThe United States announced Friday more than $266 million in additional humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, intended mainly for its Covid-19 response, as foreign troops continue their withdrawal from the country.
"As the United States withdraws military forces from Afghanistan, our enduring commitment is clear," top US diplomat Antony Blinken said. "We remain engaged through our full diplomatic, economic and assistance toolkit to support the peaceful, stable future the Afghan people want and deserve."
Karnataka Congress submits memorandum seeking 1 crore COVID-19 shots daily in countryKarnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar has urged President Ram Nath Kovind to direct the Central government to ensure administration of one crore COVID-19 vaccines doses per day and universal free vaccination. The KPCC president submitted a memorandum to Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhawan. The memoranadum was addressed to the President and accused the BJP-led government of "abdicating its duty" during the situation created by COVID-19.
"COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented devastation and immeasurable pain to nearly every Indian family. Vaccination is the only protection in the midst of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. PM Modi government's vaccination strategy has been a dangerous cocktail of blunders and bloopers. Our government derelicted its duty to plan vaccination," it said.
US Contributed $2 Billion To Global Alliance On Vaccines Gavi For Covax FacilityUS has so far contributed $2 billion to GAVI for COVAX facility, a global risk-sharing mechanism for pooled procurement and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The information about the contribution was shared by Jeremy Konyndyk, Executive Director of the USAID COVID-19 Task Force on Friday in a special briefing of US Department of State.
"We have given, so far, $2 billion to GAVI for the COVAX Initiative, the COVAX platform, which is facilitating equitable distribution of vaccines around the world," said Mr Konyndyk.
UK, US travellers must be vaccinated to enter France: MinisterPeople travelling to France from countries where the COVID-19 risk is rated "orange", such as Britain and the United States, will have to be vaccinated and show a recent negative test result, European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday. Under new rules set to take effect from June 9, people coming from orange countries who have not been vaccinated will need to prove they have an imperative reason to travel to France - such a a legal case or child care - and will also have to show a recent negative COVID-19 test, Beaune said.
Countries classified as orange in terms of COVID-19 risk are countries where the rate of virus circulation remains high or which have a high level of new virus variants, such as the UK. Any country not classified as green or red is classified orange, Beaune said on RTL radio.
Rajasthan Congress submits memorandum to Governor, seeks universal free vaccinationRajasthan Congress chief and state Education Minister Govind Singh Dostara submitted a memorandum to state Governor Kalraj Mishra appealing for universal free vaccination. "We have submitted a memorandum to Governor that vaccines should be provided free to all," he said.
The minister alleged that the Centre was accusing Congress-led states of failing to stop vaccine wastage. "The Centre is defaming Congress governments by saying we failed to stop vaccine wastage. The vaccine wastage of our state is two per cent while the national average is six per cent," Mr Singh said.
Covid positivity rate drops below 4% in Jammu: OfficialThe Covid positivity rate dropped to less than four percent in Jammu district due to the strict containment strategy adopted by the administration, Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg said.
He said intensive testing in both rural and urban areas, coupled with other measures, has helped in the containment of COVID-19 spread.
COVID19 | Gujarat reports 1,120 fresh cases, 3,398 recoveries & 16 deaths today; active cases at 22,100
Bengal Reports 7,913 New Covid Cases, 113 Fresh Fatalities
West Bengal's COVID-19 tally rose to 14,11,448 on Friday as 7,913 more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said, according to news agency PTI. The state's coronavirus death count rose to 16,034 as 113 more people succumbed to the infection, it said. As many as 16,557 more people were cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 13,42,391. The recovery rate among the coronavirus patients in the state stood at 95.11 per cent. The state now has 53,023 active cases, it said.
North 24 Parganas district reported the highest number of new cases at 1,686, followed by 899 in Kolkata. North 24 Parganas district also registered the highest number of fresh fatalities at 25, followed by 23 in the metropolis. The state has thus far tested 1.27 crore samples for COVID-19, including 71,206 in the last 24 hours.
Tripura Extends Covid Curfew Till June 10
The Tripura government on Friday extended the coronavirus curfew from noon to 5 am in Agartala and all other urban areas in the state till June 10, Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, according to news agency PTI. The restrictions were scheduled to end on June 6. Evening curfew in rural areas from 6 pm to 5 am will also continue. However, shops dealing with essential items like groceries, vegetables, milk, meat and fish can now remain open till 2 pm instead of the earlier deadline of noon. All other restrictions will continue as usual, Mr Nath told reporters.
Maharashtra Records 14,152 New Covid Cases, 289 Deaths
Maharashtra on Friday reported 14,152 new COVID-19 cases and 289 deaths, taking the caseload to 58,05,565 and death count to 98,771, the health department said, according to news agency PTI. The state has, thus, reported fewer than 20,000 cases on the fifth consecutive day.
Recoveries exceeded new infections, as 20,852 patients were discharged from hospitals, pushing the number of recovered cases to 55,07,058. The number of active cases fell below two lakh to stand at 1,96,894. The recovery rate improved to 94.86% from 94.73% a day ago, but the fatality rate also increased to 1.7 per cent from 1.68 per cent.
Out of 289 deaths reported on Friday, 193 occurred in the last 48 hours and 96 in the last week. Also 1,088 deaths that had taken place before last week were directly included in the cumulative figure. The fatality count thus rose by 1,377.
Mumbai reported 968 new cases and 24 deaths, taking its case tally to 7,08,994 and the death count to 14,922.
National Institute of Open Schooling Cancels Class 12 ExamsThe National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has cancelled its class 12 examination in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" announced on Friday, according to news agency PTI. "Keeping the safety and security of our students on priority, NIOS cancels class 12 examinations. Students will be evaluated based on objective criteria to be announced soon. This will benefit around 1.75 lakhs students," the minister tweeted.
The move comes in the wake of scrapping of class 12 exams by CBSE, CISCE and several state boards. According to S K Prasad, Director (Evaluation, NIOS), students who are not satisfied with the assessment will be given the option to appear when the situation becomes conducive.
Assam Halts First Dose Of Covaxin Due To Shortage: Minister
The Assam government has stopped administering the first dose of Covaxin due to its shortage, and will accord priority to 1.50 lakh people who are due for the second dose of the jab, a state minister said on Friday. The current stock of Covaxin in the state is 20,000 but "we will get 50,000 more doses within the next few days", Minister for Health and Family Welfare Keshab Mahanta said. He also urged those who are slated for the second dose to not panic as the gap between the two doses has been increased from 28 to 42 days, and said they will be inoculated within the stipulated time. The state has received 15,000 doses of vaccine on Friday, he added.
Annual Fair At Assam's Kamakhya Temple Cancelled Due To CovidThe Ambubachi Mela at Assam's famed Kamakhya Temple here has been cancelled for the second consecutive year due to the COVID situation but rituals associated with the four-day annual fair will be performed by the priests from June 22, reported news agency PTI. The event, during which temple doors are closed for four days due to the belief of the annual menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, attracts over 25 lakh devotees from across the globe who seek blessings of the presiding deity when the doors are opened on the fifth day. The Shakti Peeth atop the Nilachal Hill shall remain closed for visitors till June 30 and a decision regarding its reopening will be taken in consultation with the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration, a statement issued by the Maa Kamakhya Devalaya said on Friday.
Lioness Dies Of Covid In Zoo Near Chennai
A lioness has died of coronavirus while nine others in the pride have tested positive for the virus at the zoo near Chennai, reported news agency PTI on Friday. The lioness, Neela, succumbed to the virus on Thursday while nine others of the 11 in the zoo tested positive, said the officials of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, according to the report. The zoo has remained closed with the COVID-19 enforced lockdown. Recently, eight lions at the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad had tested positive for the virus.
Goa Logs 576 Fresh Covid Cases, 17 Deaths
With the addition of 576 new cases of coronavirus, the tally of infections in Goa reached 1,58,423 on Friday, a state health department official said, according to news agency PTI. Apart from this, 17 patients died of the infection during the day, raising the death count to 2,727, he said.
The count of recoveries rose to 1,46,597 after 1,160 patients were discharged from hospitals, leaving the coastal state with 9,099 active cases, the official said. With 4,086 swab samples tested during the day, the total number of tests conducted in the state has gone up to 8,38,789, he added.
Kerala Records 16,229 New Covid Cases, 135 Deaths
Kerala logged 16,229 new COVID-19 cases and 135 deaths on Friday, taking the infection count in the state to 25,71,057 and the toll to 9,510, according to news agency PTI. State health minister Veena George said the state had tested 1,09,520 samples and the test positivity rate was 14.82 per cent.
Meanwhile, 25,860 people recuperated from the disease, taking the total cured in the state to 24,16,639. "Out of those found infected today, 89 reached the state from outside while 15,160 contracted the disease through their contacts. The source of infection of 913 are yet to be traced, while 67 are health workers," the minister said in a release.
Currently, there are 1,74,526 people under treatment for COVID-19 in the state.
Sprinter Milkha Singh Stable In ICU, Gets Call From PM
Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh is "better and more stable" as he battles COVID-19 in the ICU of the PGIMER hospital and also received a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquiring about his health on Friday, according to news agency PTI.
In a statement, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) said Milkha Singh is better than Thursday when he was brought to the hospital with dipping levels of oxygen.
"On the basis of his medical parameters today, his condition has been observed better and more stable than yesterday," PGIMER's official spokesperson, Prof Ashok Kumar, said. He said Milkha Singh is being closely monitored by a team of three doctors at PGIMER.
B.1.617 Variant Drove Covid Surge In Last 2 Months: Group Of Laboratories
The surge of COVID-19 cases in the country in the last two months shows a correlation with the rise in B.1.617 variant of the SARS-CoV-2, according to INSACOG, a grouping of 10 national laboratories, according to news agency PTI. April and May witnessed a deadly second wave of coronavirus cases that swept through the country stretching the healthcare infrastructure to its limits.
According to INSACOG, the B.1.1.7 lineage of the virus, which was first identified in the UK is declining in proportion across India in the last one and half month. The B.1.1.7 variant of the coronavirus has been named ''Alpha''. The B.1.617 lineage of SARS CoV-2 was first reported from Maharashtra but it is now seen in other states such as West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana.
Some Delhi Hospitals Seeing Rise In Non-Covid Admissions As Cases Decline
With coronavirus cases declining in the national capital, some private hospitals in Delhi are seeing increase in non-Covid patients returning to medical facilities and conducting elective surgeries that were put on a backburner due to the raging pandemic, according to news agency PTI.
Dr Madhu Handa, Medical Director of Moolchand Hospital, said in the last one week, they have seen an increase in patients coming to OPDs and for elective surgeries that they had delayed due to the fear of COVID-19. Non-Covid patients have started coming to hospitals again, said P K Bhardwaj, chief executive director of Saroj Hospital.
Hospitals are also reopening beds for non-Covid patients as the number of coronavirus cases has seen a major decline. According to government data, 134 COVID-19 admissions were recorded across hospitals in the city on Thursday.
India Has To Buy Time To Ensure High Vaccination Coverage Is Achieved: Centre
India has to buy time to ensure that high coverage of vaccination against COVID-19 is achieved, the government said on Friday, according to news agency PTI. If the containment measures, COVID-19 appropriate behaviour or vaccination pace slackens, cases can rise again, it said. Data sharing is going on with the WHO to give recognition to Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, the government said, adding that India was pursuing it and wanted to achieve it as soon as possible.
68% Decline In Daily Covid Cases In Comparison To May 7 Peak: Health Ministry
"If we analyse data in comparison to May 7's highest reported peak, we are recording a 68% decline in daily cases. 66% of the new cases are coming effectively from five states and the rest are coming from 31 states/UTs which indicates that we are able to control the virus locally," said the Union Health Ministry. It said over 60% of elderly population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
257 Districts Reporting 100+ Covid Cases Daily: OfficialThere has been a continuous decrease in districts reporting more than 100 average daily new cases of COVID-19, said Lav Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, according to news agency ANI. He said 257 districts are reporting over 100 daily cases. "There has been a consistent increase in recovery rate, currently at 93.1%," he said.
Over 1.93 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses still with states: Centre
More than 1.93 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
The Centre has so far provided, both through the free of cost and through direct state procurement categories, more than 24 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs.
Of this, the total consumption, including wastages, is 22,27,33,963 doses, the ministry said.
"As many as 1,93,95,287 are still available with the states and UTs to be administered," it said.
Coronavirus India Updates: Puducherry adds 712 new COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths
Puducherry reported 712 fresh coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 1,07,826, a senior Health department official said on Friday.
Puducherry has been witnessing a decline in the number of fresh infections during the last few days after it had crossed the 1,000 mark.
The test positivity rate on Friday was 7.53 per cent as against 9.02 per cent on Thursday, as the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services examined 9,458 samples during the last 24 hours, Director of Department of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan Kumar said.
Eighteen people succumbed to the virus pushing the toll to 1,601.
Just In| Odisha CHSE (Council of Higher Secondary Education) Board Class 12 Examination cancelled, in the wake of prevailing pandemic.
"Students' lives more important than any exam," says Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs meet of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) society, lauds the efforts of Indian scientists in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are the highlights of his address:
- The contribution of scientists from CSIR has been very valuable in the fight against COVID-19. I thank you all on behalf of the entire nation.
- Our scientists played a crucial role in increasing the capacity of oxygen amid the surge in COVID-19.
- We want to lead the world in clean energy, show them the way. We need to plan today for a better tomorrow.
- Scientists at CSIR are involved in cutting-edge research and innovation. But sometimes even we don't come to know what all is being done. When we do find out, it leaves us proud to know the stellar work you all do. I request you all to make your work known to the people of India... they should be able to see the great work being done by our scientsts.
- Scientists play a key role and pave the way for our mission of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).
Coronavirus Latest Updates: Kerala announces Rs 20,000 crore second COVID package
Announcing a Rs 20,000 crore package to tide over the crisis induced by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal presented the maiden budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government here on Friday.
Besides the financial package, he also set aside Rs 1,000 crore to provide free vaccination for everyone aged above 18 years.
An additional 500 crore would be spent to ensure related equipment and facilities for free vaccination, he said.
The previous government had allotted Rs 20,000 crore which had been fully utillised to face the pandemic, he said.
"A second COVID-19 package of Rs 20,000 crore is announced now," the finance minister said.
Just In| 1.32 lakh fresh Covid cases in India, 2,713 deaths; 2.85 crore total cases, 3,40,702 deaths
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Thane district's COVID-19 count rises by 675, number of deaths by 38
With the addition of 675 coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 5,19,682, an official said on Friday.
These cases were reported on Thursday, he said.
As the virus claimed the lives of 38 patients during the day, the death toll in the district rose to 9,370.
The COVID-19 mortality rate of the district is 1.80 per cent, he added.
Japan to provide 1.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to Taiwan
Japan will provide Taiwan with 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca PLC's coronavirus vaccine for free, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Friday, just hours before the shipment was due to be delivered.
Taiwan is battling a spike in domestic infections and has vaccinated less than 3% of its population. Japan has contracted to procure more than 300 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer Inc, Moderna Inc and AstraZeneca, more than enough to cover its entire population.
"The relationship between Taiwan and Japan has always been extremely close, and our friendship is firm and deep," Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Whenever disasters or accidents occur, both sides immediately lend a helping hand to each other and send help in the hour of need."
US eager to involve Indian investigators in clinical trials on COVID-19: Dr Fauci
America's top infectious disease specialist Dr Anthony Fauci on Thursday said his country is eager to involve Indian investigators in global clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 therapeutics.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has a long history of collaboration with its counterpart agencies in India, Dr Fauci said during a conversation organised by the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum.
"Under the long-standing Indo-US vaccine action programme, we will continue to work with India on research related to SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) vaccines. We also are eager to involve Indian investigators in sites in global clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various COVID-19 therapeutics," he said.
The partnerships between the NIH and India's Department of Biotechnology as well as what the Indian Council of Medical Research have helped produce important scientific and public health discoveries in the past.
Unvaccinated people at risk of getting seriously ill: White House officialWhite House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said that unvaccinated people are at risk of getting seriously ill or spreading the disease to others. "Here's the bottom line: The bottom line is that if you are unvaccinated, you are still at risk of getting seriously ill or spreading the disease to others," said Jeff Zients.
US lawmakers welcome decision on global COVID-19 vaccine distributionTop US lawmakers have welcomed the decision of the Biden Administration to ship 25 million COVID-19 vaccines abroad, including India. "I welcome the news that the Biden Administration will be sending 25 million vaccine doses to our partners abroad to help them combat their COVID-19 outbreaks, but this is an unfortunately small step forward when drastic, rapid action is needed," Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that the US will allocate 75 per cent - nearly 1.9 crore of the first tranche of 2.5 crore doses - of unused COVID-19 vaccines from its stockpile through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing programme to countries in South and Southeast Asia as well as Africa as part of his administration's framework for sharing 80 million (8 crore) vaccines globally by the end of June.