COVID-19 Cases in India: India's positivity rate has dropped to single digit over the last one month.
India's COVID-19 graph continued to show a declining trend with 1.73 lakh fresh Covid cases, the lowest daily spike in 45 days. Earlier this month, the daily cases hit a grim world record with 4.14 lakh infections. Active cases in country stand at 22,28,724
India's cumulative number of coronavirus vaccines administered reached the 20.86 crore mark on Friday, according to the Health Ministry.
India will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday. The announcement came soon after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centre's handling of COVID-19 and predicted "multiple waves" in the country if vaccinations continued at the current pace.
Here are the Highlights on India Coronavirus Cases:
Take Action Against Institutions Giving Covid Vaccination Package With Hotels: Centre To States
The Centre has asked states and union territories to initiate legal or administrative action against institutions which are giving package for Covid vaccination in collaboration with hotels in violation of prescribed guidelines.
In a letter to all states and UTs, Additional Secretary to Health ministry Manohar Agnani said it has come to the notice of the Union health ministry that some private hospitals are giving package for Covid vaccination in collaboration with some hotels, which is against the guidelines issued for the National Covid Vaccination Program.
"Necessary legal and administrative actions should be initiated against such institutions. Therefore, you are also requested to monitor and ensure that National Covid Vaccination drive is carried out as per the prescribed guidelines," he added.
Canada extends shelf life of AstraZeneca jab by 1 month
Canadian health authorities announced Saturday they were pushing back the expiration date on nearly 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine by one month.
Health Canada said in a statement its approval to extend the shelf life of two lots of vaccine from May 31 to July 1 was supported by "scientific evidence."
"This change will ensure that provinces and territories are able to use up their existing inventory and provide Canadians access to much needed doses of the vaccine," the agency said.
A spokesperson for Health Canada said that as of May 22, there were about 49,000 doses of AstraZeneca in the country with an expiration date of May 31. CBC reported that most were in Ontario province.
Canadian health authorities had previously approved a six-month shelf life for AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine.
But they said they received information from the company on May 27 including "product stability and mathematical modelling data" that showed the two lots could be safely and effectively used for an extra month.
Chhattisgarh records 2,437 new COVID-19 cases, 64 deaths
Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 case count rose to 9,67,645 on Saturday with addition of 2,437 fresh cases, while the deaths reached 12,979 with 64 new fatalities, an official said.
The number of recoveries rose to 9,11,752 after 576 people were discharged from various hospitals while 5,365 others completed their home isolation during the day.
The number of active cases in the state stands at 42,914, the official informed.
Raipur district reported 61 new cases, taking its caseload to 1,55,700 including 3,095 deaths. Surajpur recorded 232 new cases, Surguja 175 and Jashpur 165, among other districts, he said.
COVID-19 deaths in Brazil surpass 4,60,000
Brazil registered 2,012 new COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, and the total number of deaths in the country reached 461,057, according to the Health Ministry.
The country has the second largest number of COVID deaths in the world. Over the last 24 hours, 79,670 new COVID cases were recorded, with the total number of infections in the country reaching 16.47 million.
Nagaland reports 156 new COVID-19 cases, 7 more fatalities
Nagaland's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 21,371 on Saturday after 156 more people tested positive for the virus, state Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
The death of seven more patients has increased the total number to 350, he said. "156 +ve cases of COVID-19 reported today. Kohima-76, Dimapur-35, Phek-15, Kiphire-9, Longleng-Zunheboto-7 each, Mokokchung-4, Mon-Peren-Wokha-1 each," the minister tweeted.
He said that 156 patients also recovered from the disease during the day, taking the number of recoveries to 15,414.
Assam reports 5,613 new COVID-19 cases, 77 deaths
Assam reported 5,613 new COVID-19 cases and 77 deaths on Saturday, as per an official bulletin. The state has so far reported 4,03,623 cases and 3,245 deaths, as per the National Health Mission. There are 54,948 active cases in the state at present.
Tinsukia reported the highest eleven deaths, replacing Kamrup Metro which has been on the top of the tally till date.
Cachar district reported seven deaths, while five people each died in Kamrup Metro, Nagaon and Barpeta. Of the new cases, 580 were detected in Kamrup Metro, 516 in Cachar and 352 in Dibrugarh.
The new cases were detected out of 1,16,562 tests conducted during the day, taking the daily positivity rate to 4.82 per cent.
Assam to provide financial aid for children orphaned due to COVID-19Assam Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said his government will be providing Rs 3,500 per month to the guardian of every child orphaned due to COVID-19 in the state, for their education and skill development.
Mr Sarma, while addressing a press conference, also said that the ones who have no extended family will be sent to residential schools or institutions, with the state bearing their expenses.
All such children, who have lost their parents to the pandemic, will be given vocational or skill-based training to ensure they get to earn a livelihood, he said.
The initiative, to be undertaken under a new programme ''Chief Minister''s Shishu Seva Scheme'' - will be launched on Sunday, marking seven years of the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre.
PTI
Gujarat announces monthly assistance, other benefits for COVID-19 orphansThe Gujarat government on Saturday announced a host of relief measures including monthly
financial assistance for the children who have lost both their parents to COVID-19.
Announcing 'Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana', Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said such children will get Rs 4,000 per month till they turn 18.
If they continue studies, they will get assistance of Rs 6,000 per month till they turn 21. This stipend will continue during higher studies too, Mr Rupani said in a live webcast.
All types of undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be considered valid for availing benefit under this scheme, the chief minister said.
Such orphaned children will also get priority in various government schemes offering scholarships within India and abroad irrespective of income criteria, he added.
UP launches welfare scheme for children who lost parents to COVID-19Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched a welfare scheme for children who have lost either one or both parents to COVID-19.
Under the ''Uttar Pradesh Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana'', the state government will provide financial assistance to a child''s guardian while those who do not have anyone to look after them will be sent to children''s homes, an official spokesperson said.
Launching the scheme, Yogi Adityanath said the state government will take care of the upbringing and education of children orphaned by COVID-19.
As part of the scheme, the government will provide a monthly financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to a child''s guardian or caretaker till he or she attains adulthood, the spokesperson said.
Children below 10 years who do not have any family member will be taken care of by the state government children's homes. Currently, such homes are functional in Mathura, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Agra and Rampur, he said.
PTI
Five Kashmir districts placed in ''red zone'' for Covid containment in J&KFive districts were placed in the ''red category'' as the Jammu and Kashmir State Executive Committee (SEC) on Saturday came out with a fresh classification of the districts effective from May 31 for Covid containment in the union territory.
Pulwama and Anantnag in south Kashmir, and Baramulla and Kupwara in north and Budgam in central Kashmir have been put in the ''red zone'' along with the areas on either side of the Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to the valley, an order issued by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam said.
Lakhanpur containment zone on the Jammu-Pathankot highway with a buffer of 500 meter radius has also been categorised in the red zone. Lakhanpur in Kathua district of Jammu province serves as the gateway to the union territory bordering Punjab.
The summer capital Srinagar, which had remained in the red zone throughout this month amid a spike in COVID-19, has been placed in the ''orange category'' along with Shopian, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Bandipora in the valley, besides all the 10 districts of Jammu province. No area has been placed in the ''green category''.
Jammu and Kashmir, which has been under Covid curfew for the past one month, on Saturday recorded 2,253 fresh cases, which took the tally to 2,86,684, while 46 deaths in the past 24 hours pushed the count 3,841 in the union territory, officials said.
PTI
Haryana announces financial aid for Covid-orphaned childrenThe Haryana government on Saturday announced financial aid and other assistance for children who have lost their parents to COVID-19.
Sharing details of the ''Mukhyamantri Bal Sewa Yojana'', Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said this package will be given to rehabilitate and assist children below 18 years of age who have lost their both parents, a surviving parent, legal guardian or adoptive parents due to COVID-19.
The state government will give a monthly amount of Rs 2,500 per child as financial aid to the families taking care of these orphaned children, he said in an official statement.
This financial assistance would be given till the child turn 18, he said. Further, an amount of Rs 12,000 annually would also be deposited in the bank accounts of such children as other expenses till they reach 18 years of age and are pursuing education, he said.
The CM also announced that the state government would provide a financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per orphaned child per month to the child care institution for the upbringing of such children living there.
At present, 59 childcare institutions are functional in Haryana.
This amount will be deposited in the bank account as a recurring deposit and the maturity amount will be given on attaining the age of 21 years, while all other expenses will be borne by the child care institutions only, the chief minister announced.
PTI
2,314 fresh COVID-19 cases, 70 more deaths in RajasthanRajasthan on Saturday recorded 2,314 fresh COVID-19 that took its tally to 9,36,162 while 70 more fatalities pushed the death count to 8,251, according to an official report.
Jaipur reported the highest number of fresh cases and deaths at 401 and 13, the report stated.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan stands at 56,628. So far, 8,71,283 patients have recovered in the state, it stated.
Covid: 125 more fatalities, 3,102 new cases in PunjabPunjab on Saturday recorded 125 more fatalities that took the death count to 14,305, while 3,102 new cases took the infection count to 5,62,831, according to a medical bulletin.
The number of active cases dropped to 42,177 from 44,964 on Friday, it said. Of the new fatalities, 14 each were reported from Ludhiana and Bathinda, 12 from Amritsar, 11 from Fazilka and nine from Sangrur, it said.
Of the new cases, Ludhiana reported 343 cases, followed by 291 in Bathinda, 254 in Jalandhar and 233 in Mohali, the bulletin said.
The positivity rate stands at 4.56 per cent, it said.
With 5,698 recoveries, the number of cured persons reached 5,06,349, it said.
There are 326 critical patients who are on ventilator support, 4,918 are on oxygen support and 878 other are critical patients, it said.
A total of 91,42,425 samples have been collected for testing so far in the state, it said.
Chandigarh on Saturday reported 163 new cases as against 161 infections on Friday.
The infection tally stood at 59,740, according to a medical bulletin.
PTI
Nashik records 858 new COVID-19 cases; 48 deathsAs many as 858 people tested positive for coronavirus, while 48 died of the infection in
Maharashtra's Nashik district on Saturday, an official said.
With this, the tally of infections in the district rose to 3,84,784 and the count reached 4,637, the official said.
The count of recoveries in the district mounted to 3,69,652, after 2,302 people were discharged from various hospitals during the day, he said.
With the addition of 13,743 swab samples tested during the day, the total number of tests conducted in the district stands at 16,21,513, the official added.
Meanwhile, state food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Saturday said the district will get 37 metric tonnes of oxygen per day from 40 oxygen plants, which are in the process of being set up in the district.
The minister was speaking at the inauguration of an oxygen plant at the civil hospital.
PTI
Lockdown in Tirupati, Chittoor district to go on till June 15The month-long COVID-19 restrictions in Tirupati and its entire Chittoor district of
Andhra Pradesh would be further intensified and extended for a fortnight from June 1 to June 15 in view of Covid-19 cases.
After a Covid review meeting, Deputy Chief Minister K Narayana Swamy, Ministers P Ramachandra Reddy and M Goutham Reddy told reporters that the existing daily 18
hour-long curfew restrictions would be increased to 20 hours and it would be extended till June 15.
However, movement of public and business activities would be allowed for four hours from 6 AM to 10 AM daily during the period, they said.
The administration is forced to extend the curfew as the district is one of the worst Covid-affected places, they said adding that the district is located on the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
PTI
Less than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, Karnataka reports 20,628 fresh casesBengaluru recorded less than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, as Karnataka reported
20,628 fresh cases and 492 fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 25.67 lakh and toll to 28,298.
The day also saw 42,444 discharges, continuing to outnumber the fresh cases.
Out of the 20,628 new cases reported on Saturday, 4,889 were from Bengaluru Urban, as the city saw 21,126 discharges and 278 deaths.
Cumulatively 25,67,449 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 28,298 deaths and 21,89,064 discharges,the Health department said in a bulletin.
PTI
Telangana logs 2,982 COVID-19 cases, 21 deathsTelangana on Saturday reported 2,982 COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to over 5.74 lakh,
while the count stood at 3,247 with 21 casualties Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 436, followed by Nalgonda
(190) and Khammam (176), the bulletin said.
Recoveries outnumbered fresh cases, with 3,837 people testing negative, taking the total to 5,33,862. Active cases stood at 36,917.
The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 5,74,026.
Over one lakh samples were tested on Saturday, taking the overall number to over 1.50 crore.
PTI
Himachal reports 1,262 new Covid cases, 30 deathsThirty more people died due to COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh, pushing the count to 3,070, while the infection count climbed to 1,88,604 with 1,262 fresh cases, an official said on Saturday.
According to the state health department, there are 16,989 active coronavirus cases in the state.
The recovery count rose to 1,68,524 with 3,070 patients recuperating from the disease in the past 24 hours, the official said.
Madhya Pradesh to reopen national parks, tiger reserves from June 1National parks and tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, which had been shut amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be kept open from June 1 to June 30, state forest minister Vijay Shah said on Saturday.
National parks and tiger reserves have remained shut since the last two months as a precautionary measure during the pandemic.
"Madhya Pradesh is known as a tiger and leopard state. National parks and tiger reserves had been shut due to the coronavirus outbreak. We have decided to keep these parks and reserves open from June 1 to June 30," Mr Shah said in a video statement..
The move will help people involved in tourism activities in these national parks, the minister said, adding that visitors will have to follow COVID-19 guidelines during their trips.
Maharashtra minister seeks COVID-19 awareness program for childrenMaharashtra Minister of State for Home Satej Patil on Saturday said an awareness program for
children and parents about a possible third wave of COVID-19 pandemic should be organised in the state.
Mr Patil, who is guardian minister of Kolhapur, said "Corona: Children Awareness Program'' will be rolled out in the western Maharashtra district from Sunday.
It will encourage children andtheir parents to take precautions to avoid coronavirus infection, he said.
"I haverequested Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad to implement this drive across the state," the Congress leader said in a statement.
The online drive in Kolhapur will have school and college teachers on board to raise awareness about the pandemic among students and parents.
"A potential third wave which may hit Maharashtra and other states in August-September is likely to affect children more as predicted by health sector experts," the minister said.
PTI
Covid Cases | Delhi Records Less Than 1,000 New COVID-19 Cases In 24 Hours, Curbs To EaseDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the national capital recorded around 900 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours and stressed that if new infections continue to decline, more activities will be allowed to open up in the city. The process of lifting the lockdown gradually in the capital will begin from Monday, starting with resumption of construction activities and reopening of factories for a week, Mr Kejriwal had announced on Friday.
Delhi to get 5.5 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses for 18-44 age group in June: Manish SisodiaDelhi will receive 5.5 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses for the 18-44 age group from the Centre next month, but not before June 10, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Saturday as he accused the central government of being stubborn on the issue of vaccine distribution.
Accusing the central government of "negligence and gross mismanagement", Mr Sisodia sought to know how private hospitals were getting vaccines while states were being told that there are no stocks.
"The Delhi government wants to vaccinate all its youth free of cost. If there are no vaccines for this purpose, how are vaccines available at private hospitals," the deputy chief minister asked, underlining that such facilities were charging around Rs 1,000 per jab.
All states are awaiting stocks of COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate the youth and save them from this pandemic, he added, addressing a press conference.
PTI
Kerala reports 23,513 COVID-19 cases, 198 deathsKerala on Saturday reported 23,513 COVID-19 cases, taking the caseload to 24,64,360, while 198 deaths pushed the count to 8,455. Recoveries outnumbered new infections with 28,100 patients testing negative, taking the total to 22,52,505.
Active cases stood at 2,33,034. Malappuram recorded the highest number of 3,990 cases,
followed by Thiruvananthapuram with2,767 and Palakkad 2682, a health department bulletin said.
Of the new cases, 86 were health workers, 139 from outside the state and 22,016 were infected through contacts, it said.
In the past 24 hours, 1,41,759 samples were tested, taking the test positivity rate to 16.59 per cent.
A total of 8,35,866 people are under observation in various districts, including 39,466 in various hospitals.
PTI
Tripura reports 783 new COVID-19 cases, 13 more deathsTripura registered 13 more deaths due to COVID-19, the highest so far in a single day, pushing the count to 495, a health department bulletin said on Saturday.
The COVID-19 caseload in the northeastern state rose to 49,290 as 783 more people tested positive for the coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, it said.
West Tripura district reported the maximum number of fresh cases at 378, followed by South Tripura at 110, Unokoti at 73 and Gomati at 62.
The remaining new cases were recorded in several other districts.
Health department setting up pediatric, neonatal facilities to tackle Covid among children in AgraThe Health Department in Agra is gearing up to deal with COVID-19 infection among children by setting up pediatric and neonatal Intensive Care Units and wards at government hospitals and health centers, officials said Saturday.
These centers will be equipped with medical oxygen, medicines, child-friendly health staff, help desk and other mandatory arrangements including CCTV cameras, they said.
They said about 100 beds have been reserved at Sarojani Naidu Medical College and Hospital including 25 ICU beds, whereas 20 beds, including five ICU ones, have been reserved at the District Hospital.
At each Community Health Centre such as the ones at Baroli Ahir, Bah, Khandoli and Saiyan 10 beds, including 2 ICU ones, have been reserved for such cases.
Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr RC Pandey told PTI, "We are putting our entire efforts to make proper arrangements at the health centers to protect children from the infection of the COVID-19. We have ventilators, medical oxygen, medicines and others mandatory arrangements at the Sarojani Naidu Medical College and Hospital, and District Hospital."
PTI
Madhya Pradesh COVID-19 situation eases, positivity rate dips to 2.1 per centThe coronavirus positivity rate in Madhya Pradesh was 2.1 per cent as on Saturday and the
recovery rate was above 95 per cent, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
Mr Chouhan, who is scheduled to address crisis management groups working at different levels of the administrative hierarchy later in the evening, said the COVID-19 situation in the state was being "continuously controlled".
"From about 76,000 tests, 1,640 persons were found infected, while 4,995 people recovered.
While the recovery rate of coronavirus infection rose above 95 per cent, the positivity rate has been reduced to 2.1 per cent," an official release quoted the CM as saying in connection with COVID-19 figures for Saturday.
He congratulated the people of Dindori, the only district in MP where no COVID-19 case was reported in the last 24 hours, though he expressed concern at the situation in Morena where the daily addition of cases went up from 48 to 75 in a span of 24 hours.
PTI
Sikkim logs 273 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more fatalitiesSikkim on Saturday reported 273 new COVID-19 cases pushing the tally to 14,907, a health
department bulletin said.
The death count in the Himalayan state rose to 247 after four more patients died of coronavirus, the bulletin said.
Sikkim at present has 3,831 active cases.
While 10,616 patients have recovered from the disease so far, 213 others have migrated out of the state.
East Sikkim district registered 183 new positive cases, followed by 54 in South Sikkim, 31 in West Sikkim and 5 in North Sikkim.
The state tested 1,695 samples for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of such examinations to 1,17,336, the bulletin said.
PTI
DRDO's 500-bed Covid hospital inaugurated in JammuJammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) 500-bedded Covid hospital in Jammu to ramp up the healthcare infrastructure to effectively deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the total 500 beds here at Bhagwati Nagar Centre, 125 would be Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, while others would be a set of Covid beds with 24 hours oxygen facility.
The hospital would be equipped with ventilators, monitors, in-house pharmacy, diagnostic facility, X-Ray and CT Scan machines.
"I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for extending all possible assistance to Jammu and Kashmir," the Lt governor said after inaugurating the hospital.
Speaking on the management of ongoing pandemic and future challenges, Sinha observed that the DRDO hospital, with efficient mechanisms, would play an important role in adding to the government's efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
PTI
Congress weakening India's fight against Covid: BJPThe BJP on Saturday accused the Congress of working to "weaken" India's fight against COVID-19, and alleged that the opposition party "provided" tools to countries like Pakistan to defame India.
Citing the alleged remarks of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath that India is not great but infamous following the spread of the infectious disease, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia sought to know the Congress' stand on his comments and claimed that defaming India has become a priority for its leaders.
Noting that the senior Congress leader had earlier controversially described a Covid variant that originated in India as the "Indian variant", Mr Bhatia alleged at a virtual press conference that whatever he says is done at the behest of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
"What Kamal Nath says is the Congress'' ideology and does so on behalf of Sonia Gandhi. Defaming India has become your priority. Why is the Congress silent at his abhorrent statement? Why is Sonia Gandhi silent? Does she agree with him?" Mr Bhatia asked.
PTI
18,040 oxygen concentrators, 7.7 lakh remdesivir vials received as foreign aid sent to statesIn total, 18,040 oxygen concentrators, 19,085 oxygen cylinders and nearly 7.7 lakh remdesivir vials received as aid from abroad have been delivered or dispatched to states and Union Territories from April 27 to May 28 amid the second wave of COVID-19 infection, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The Government of India has been receiving COVID-19 relief in form of medical supplies and equipment since April 27 from different countries and organisations. These are being promptly dispatched and delivered to the states and UTs, it said.
Cumulatively, 18,040 oxygen concentrators, 19,085 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 15,256 ventilators and BiPAP, around 7.7 lakh remdesivir vials and nearly 12 lakh favipiravir tablets have been delivered and dispatched through road and air from April 27 to May 28.
Major consignments received on May 26 and 28 from Turkey, Indian Business Association (Taiwan), Roche (Switzerland) and Eli Lily include 20 oxygen concentrators, five oxygen concentrator plants, 680 oxygen cylinders, 50,000 tocilizumab, 20,000 Baricitinib, 50 ventilators, Bi-PAP and CPAP.
The ministry said this also includes 680 oxygen cylinders received from Turkey, which have some compliance issues, hence they have been withheld at a warehouse.
PTI
COVID-19: 22,701 containment zones in DelhiOf the total 22,701 containment zones in the national capital, central Delhi accounts for the maximum 6,523 red zones, according to official figures.
Delhi had 31,570 containment zones on April 27. The number, due to a significant drop in COVID-19 cases, has now come down to 22,701 -- a decrease of over 28 per cent - by Thursday.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the national capital recorded around 900 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours and stressed that if new infections continue to decline, more activities will be allowed to open up in the city.
This is the fourth consecutive day when the daily cases count have stood below the 1500-mark.
"Remdesivir Production Ramped Up 10 Times": Centre Halts State AllocationIndia has ramped up the production of anti-viral drug Remdesivir - used in the treatment of Covid patients - from 33,000 vials per day on April 11 to 3.5 lakh vials every day, the government has said. With the supply more than the demand, the central government will no longer allocate the anti-viral drug to the states, said Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya.
The number of plants producing Remdesivir has been increased from 20 to 60 within a month, he added. The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Agency and the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) have been told to continuously monitor the availability of the drug in the country.
Covid-19: More than 1.82 crore vaccine doses available with states, says CentreMore than 1.82 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are available with states and union territories, and over 4 lakh will be received by them within the next three days, the Union health ministry said on Saturday.
The central government has so far provided, through the free of cost category and direct state procurement category, more than 22.77 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs.
Of these, the total consumption, including wastages is 20,80,09,397 doses, according to data available at 8 am on Saturday, the ministry said.
"More than 1.82 crore (1,82,21,403) COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. Furthermore, 4,86,180 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states and UTs within the next 3 days," the ministry said.
"How Are Private Hospitals Getting Vaccines?" Delhi Targets CentreVaccines for youth are over in Delhi, and more doses will not come before June 10, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today, flagging acute shortage of vaccines against coronavirus.
The city government had suspended the inoculation programme for the 18-44 age group last week after it ran out of vaccines for this category.
Accusing the centre of stubbornly "sitting over" the vaccine distribution system, he questioned how private hospitals are getting vaccine doses when the centre says it does not have enough stock for states.
"The centre told us that vaccines for the youth (18-44) will be available in June, but that we not will get them before June 10," Mr Sisodia said in a televised statement.
COVID-19: Delhi Records Less Than 1,000 New Cases In 24 Hours, Curbs To EaseDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the national capital recorded around 900 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours and stressed that if new infections continue to decline, more activities will be allowed to open up in the city.
The process of lifting the lockdown gradually in the capital will begin from Monday, starting with resumption of construction activities and reopening of factories for a week, Mr Kejriwal had announced on Friday.
The phase-wise unlocking process in Delhi will begin after over six weeks of lockdown enforced in view of the second wave of COVID-19.
Oxygen Express Trains Have Delivered 20,000 MT Oxygen Across Country: Minister
About 20,000 metric tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) have been delivered across the country by the Indian Railways' Oxygen Express during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted today.
A total of 300 Oxygen Express trains have completed their journey so far, he said.
India Sees Lowest Daily Rise In COVID-19 Cases In 45 Days
This is the second consecutive day that less than 2 lakh cases have been registered. The positivity rate has been less than 10 per cent for the last five days.
1.73 Lakh New Covid Cases In India, 3,617 Deaths In A Day
India's COVID-19 graph continued to show declining trend with 1.73 lakh new Covid cases recorded in the last 24 hours, the lowest daily spike in 45 days. Earlier this month, the country's daily cases hit a grim world record with 4.14 lakh infections. (Read full story
here)
Airlines Can Operate Only 50% Of Pre-Covid Domestic Flights From June 1: Centre
Airlines can operate only 50 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights from June 1 instead of 80 per cent permitted currently, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Friday.
The decision has been taken "in view of the sudden surge in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the country, decrease in passenger traffic and passenger load factor (occupancy rate)", the ministry said in an order. (Read full story
here)
Ladakh Reports 124 New Cases, 2 Deaths
The Union Territory of Ladakh reported 124 fresh Covid-19 cases, 172 recoveries and two deaths on Friday, as per the Department of Public Information in Leh today morning.
With this, the total number of cases in the region escalated to 18310 including 1,606 active cases and 16,517 total recoveries. However, the total death toll surged to 187 including the new deaths.
Out of the total number of active cases, 1380 cases lie in Leh and 226 cases in Kargil district.
Delhi Government Floats Global Expression Of Interest For 10 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
The Delhi government has floated a global expression of interest (EOI) for the procurement of 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on an urgent basis. (Read full story
here)
India's Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Crosses 20.86 Crore Mark
India's cumulative number of coronavirus vaccines administered reached the 20.86 crore mark on Friday, according to the Health Ministry.
As of Day-133 of the vaccination drive (28th May 2021), a total of 28,07,411 vaccine doses was given out of which 25,99,754 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 2,07,657 beneficiaries received a second dose of vaccine as per the provisional report till 7 pm, reported news agency ANI.
Assam Reports 5,436 New COVID-19 Cases, 80 Deaths In Last 24 HoursAssam reported 5,436 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informed the state government.
Now, the total case count in the state shot up to 3,98,010.
The northeastern state also saw 5,760 recoveries and 80 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tallies to 3,40,178 and 3,168 respectively. Current positivity rate in the state is 4.78 per cent.