Coronavirus Cases in India: The recovery rate is 91.25 per cent.
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded over 1.65 lakh, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,78,94,800 according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 21,14,508 which now comprises 7.58 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate is 91.25 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 1,65,553 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 3,25,972 with 3,460 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, some private hospitals are giving package for Covid vaccination in collaboration with luxury hotels in violation of the guidelines and legal action needs to be initiated against them, the centre said on Saturday.
In a letter to the states and union territories, the Health Ministry has directed officials to monitor and ensure that the guidelines are followed while carrying out the National Covid Vaccination drive.
Under the guidelines, vaccination can be carried out at "government and private Covid vaccination centres, workplaces, near to home Covid vaccination centre for elderly and differently-abled persons to be organised at group housing societies".
Here are the Highlights on Covid-19 Cases in India:
COVID-19: 41 more deaths, 861 new cases in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh recorded 41 more COVID-19 fatalities, taking the deaths to 3,111 on Sunday, while 861 new cases pushed the infection tally to 1,89,465, an official said.
There are 14,940 active cases in the state, according to the state health department bulletin.
The overall recoveries rose to 1,71,393 after 2,869 patients recuperated from the disease in the past 24 hours, the official said.
A total of 23,60,468 people have been administered Covishield vaccine so far in the state.
Telangana government extends lockdown by 10 days
Telangana government on Sunday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in the state, which was to end on May 31, by another 10 days.
The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting on Sunday at Hyderabad''s Pragathi Bhavan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.
"Cabinet meeting has resolved to continue Telangana lockdown for another 10 days and daily relaxation has been extended from 6 am to 1 pm. Limited revival of economic activity is also consented. The guidelines will be issued soon," Telangana Minister KTR tweeted.
UAE extends suspension on flights from India till June 30
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday extended the suspension of passenger flights from India till June 30 to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ban was initially imposed on April 25, after a surge in COVID-19 cases in India.
In a statement posted on its website on Sunday, Emirates, the flag carrier of the UAE, said, it has suspended passenger flights from India effective April 24 until June 30.
"Furthermore, passengers who have transited through India in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE," it said.
However, "UAE nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with the revised published COVID-19 protocols will be exempt for travel," the statement said.
Emirates had earlier announced that the flight suspension would continue till June 14.
UP government announced Rs 10 lakh aid for family members of scribes who died due to COVID-19
In a bid to encourage and honour the tireless and unparalleled contribution of journalists, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 10 lakh financial aid for family members of scribes who died due to COVID-19.
On the occasion of "Hindi Journalism Day", Yogi Adityanath said, "From the freedom movement to the present times, Hindi journalism has had an unprecedented contribution in social awakening and nation-building. My heartfelt greetings to all journalists on Hindi Journalism Day."
The chief minister said that the government is committed to provide all support to journalists and will continue to encourage them.
Praising the efforts of journalists, he said, "During such challenging and testing times, all journalists and media workers have risked their lives to bring to us relevant and authentic information. They have worked 24x7 which is commendable."
Cases in Maharashtra down but numbers at last year's peak: Uddhav Thackeray
The daily coronavirus cases in Maharashtra are on the decline but these numbers are close to last year''s peak levels, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Sunday.
Addressing people of the state through social media, Mr Thackeray asked them not to let their guard down while bracing for the third wave of the pandemic.
The Chief Minister also indicated that the present lockdown-like restrictions in the state valid till June 1 will be extended by a fortnight, adding there may be certain relaxations.
"Even though patient numbers are dropping, we are still at the levels of last year''s peak," Mr Thackeray said.
Smriti Irani sends oxygen concentrators, N-95 masks, soaps for people in UP's Raebareli and Sultanpur
Union minister Smriti Irani has sent oxygen concentrators, N-95 masks, high oxygen concentrator masks and soaps for the people in Raebareli and Sultanpur to battle Covid.
Vijay Gupta, the representative of the minister, said on Sunday that Ms Irani is working continuously in Amethi, Raebareli and Sultanpur for prevention of COVID-19 infection.
Mr Gupta said oxygen concentrators, N-95 masks, high concentrator masks and soaps have been made available to the district magistrate and superintendents of police of both the districts.
Assam logs 55 more COVID-19 deaths, 3,245 new cases
Assam reported 55 fatalities due to COVID-19 on Sunday taking the deaths to 3,300, while 3,245 fresh cases pushed the infection tally to 4,06,868, the National Health Mission (NHM) said in a bulletin.
Of the fresh fatalities, seven were reported from Kamrup Metropolitan, followed by six each in Cachar and Nagaon, five in Tinsukia, four in Kamrup, three each in Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat, two each in Dhubri, Hailakandi, Kokrajhar and Lakhimpur, and one each in Biswanath, Charaideo, Dima Hasao, Goalpara, Golaghat, Karimganj, and Sonitpur districts.
Odisha extends lockdown till June 17 to curb Covid spread
The Odisha government on Sunday extended the lockdown by 16 more days till June 17 to further stem the spread of coronavirus. The second phase of the lockdown was to end at 5 am on June 1. It will now continue till 5 am of June 17.
"The lockdown is primarily aimed at restricting movement of people and not goods. All restrictions and exemptions of the previous lockdowns will be implemented in the third phase, too," Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra said.
The weekend shutdown will also continue, he said.
"However, for three districts Nuapada, Gajapati and Sundergarh the relaxation period will be from 7 am till 1 pm, instead of 8 am to 11 am, from Monday to Friday, keeping in view the decline in COVID-19 cases in these places. This relaxation may be withdrawn if there is any sign of rise in infections," Mr Mohapatra said.
Maharashtra reports 18,600 COVID-19 cases, lowest since mid-March; 402 dieMaharashtra reported 18,600 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, its lowest one-day count since mid-March this year, which took the tally to 57,31 815, the health department said.
The death of 402 patients during the day pushed the number of fatalities to 94,844, it said.
This is the lowest single-day infection count since March 16, when the state had added 17,864 cases.
On Saturday, the state had recorded 20,295 positive cases and 443 fatalities.
A total of 22,532 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, which took the recovery count of the state to 53,62,370.
Its recovery rate is now 93.55 per cent and the fatality rate is 1.65 per cent, the department said in a statement.
PTI
Punjab sees 2,627 fresh COVID-19 cases, 127 more fatalities in a dayPunjab on Sunday registered 2,627 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 127 more fatalities while Chandigarh recorded 182 new instances of the infection and five deaths in a day, officials said.
With Punjab witnessing a decline in the number of fresh cases of the infection for the past several days, the number of active cases declined to 39,263 from 42,177 on Saturday.
The state had recorded 3,102 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday.
The total number of COVID-19 infections reported in Punjab so far has reached 5,65,415 while the death toll has risen to 14,432 with 127 more people succumbing to the disease, according to a medical bulletin.
Nineteen deaths were reported from Amritsar, 13 from Bathinda, 12 from Ludhiana and 10 from Gurdaspur. Among the fresh cases, Ludhiana reported 298, Bathinda 295, Jalandhar 195 and Mohali 182.
The case positivity rate dropped to 3.92 per cent as against 4.56 per cent on Saturday, the bulletin stated.
PTI
Gujarat logs 1,871 new COVID-19 cases, lowest since March 25Gujarat recorded 1,871 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, its lowest one-day infection count
since March 25 this year, the state health department said.
These new cases took the state's overall tally to 8,07,488, it said.
The number of daily cases fell below the 2,000-mark for the first time since March 26, when the state had recorded 2,190 cases, while the March 25 count was 1,961.
A total of 25 COVID-19 patients died on Sunday, which is the lowest one-day fatality count for the state since April 8.
With this, Gujarat's death count increased to 9,815, the department said in a statement.
PTI
COVID-19: Haryana records 89 deaths, 1,452 fresh casesHaryana on Sunday reported 89 coronavirus deaths as 1,452 fresh infections pushed the state's case count to 7,55,389, according to a Health Department bulletin.
So far, the infection has killed 8,221 people in the state.
Ten deaths were reported from Hisar, eight each from Gurgaon and Panipat, and seven each from Fatehabad and Bhiwani districts, the bulletin said.
Meanwhile, Hisar reported the maximum 140 cases, Sirsa 117 while 110 infections surfaced in Gurgaon.
Currently, the state has 21,087 active cases.
So far, 7,26,081 people have recovered from the infection in the state with the recovery rate hovering around 96.12 per cent.
The cumulative positivity rate stands at 8.41 per cent, the bulletin said.
PTI
Nagaland reports 192 new COVID-19 cases, 13 more deathsNagaland's COVID-19 caseload on Sunday increased to 21,563 with the detection of 192 new
cases, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
The death count in the state increased to 363 after 13 more COVID-19 patients succumbed to the infection, he said.
192 positive cases of COVID-19 reported today. Dimapur-80, Kohima-Mokokchung-33 each, Zunheboto-12, Mon-11, Phek-7, Wokha-6, Kiphire-Peren-Tuensang-3 each, Longleng-1. 109 +ve
patients have recovered. Dimapur-77, Phek-17, Kohima-10, Kiphire-3, Mokokchung-Mon-1 each, the minister said in a tweet.
The state now has 5,049 active patients while 15,523 people have recovered from the infection so far, he said.
At present, the recovery rate in the northeastern state is 71.98 per cent.
Punjab Minister launches COVID ambulance, door to door awareness campaign in SangrurPunjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla launched COVID dedicated ambulance service and door-to-door awareness campaign in Sangrur on Sunday.
Two oxygen concentrator-fitted vehicles will be plied under this ambulance service, an official statement said.
Addressing the media Mr Singla said, "A dedicated team of volunteers will inform and educate people to allay their misconceptions about the pandemic under ''Zimmewaar Sangrur'' campaign. Our team will inform people about the precautions to be taken and distribute ''Zimmewaar kits'' consisting of basic medicines and COVID essential products."
"Ambulance service is crucial to serve and help the people in case of emergency or desperate need", said the minister, adding that the ambulance can be reached out to, by calling the helpline number.
ANI
COVID-19: 41 more deaths, 861 new cases in Himachal PradeshHimachal Pradesh recorded 41 more COVID-19 fatalities, taking the death count to 3,111 on Sunday, while 861 new cases pushed the infection tally to 1,89,465, an official said.
There are 14,940 active cases in the state, according to the state health department bulletin.
The overall recoveries rose to 1,71,393 after 2,869 patients recuperated from the disease in the past 24 hours, the official said.
A total of 23,60,468 people have been administered Covishield vaccine so far in the state.
While 4,35,857 people have been given both the doses, 19,24,611 have been administered the first dose, officials said.
PTI
Karnataka logs 20,378 fresh COVID infections, 382 deathsKarnataka on Sunday reported 20,378 fresh cases and 382 deaths taking the infections and fatalities to 25,87,827 and 28,679 fatalities, the Health department said.
The state has 3,42,010 active cases whereas the total discharges stood at 22,17,117 with the recovery of 28,053 people.
Bengaluru Urban district, which had become an epicentre of infections during the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 and had exceeded 26,000 cases a day, reported 4,734
infections and 213 fatalities.
The city's COVID tally and fatalities was highest compared to any other part of Karnataka.
PTI
Telangana reports 1,801 COVID-19 cases, 16 deathsTelangana on Sunday reported 1,801 COVID-19 cases taking the tally to over 5.75 lakh while the count stood at 3,263 with 16 casualties, a government bulletin said.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most cases with 390, followed by Rangareddy (114) and Medchal Malkajgiri (101), the bulletin said.
The state has 35,042 active cases and over 61 thousand samples were tested.
The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at5,75,82 7 while with3660being cured, the total recoveries were at 5,37,522.
PTI
Covid: 29 more deaths, 2,256 new cases in Jammu and KashmirThe COVID-19 death count in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 3,870 on Sunday with 29 more fatalities, while 2,256 new cases pushed the infection count to 2,88,940, officials said.
Of the fresh cases, 823 were from the Jammu division and 1,433 were from the Kashmir division, they said.
Srinagar district recorded the highest 350 new cases, followed by 339 in Jammu district and 190 in Ganderbal district, officials said.
The number of active cases stands at 37,677, while 2,47,393 patients have recovered so far, officials said.
The death count due rose to 3,870 after 29 patients died in the past 24 hours, they added.
PTI
Manipur registers record one-day spike of 1,032 new COVID-19 casesManipur on Sunday reported its highest single-day spike of 1,032 new COVID-19 cases, pushing
the tally to 49,882, a senior official said.
Seventeen more fatalities raised the coronavirus death count in the state to 793.
Imphal West registered the maximum number of fresh cases at 310, followed by Imphal East at 281, Churachandpur at 100 and Thoubal at 95.
The remaining new cases were reported from several other districts.
Accordingly, the number of active cases rose to 8,482. Five new fatalities each were recorded in Imphal East and Churachandpur, followed by four in Imphal West, two in Kakching and one in Ukhrul, the official said.
PTI
Sikkim extends lockdown by another weekThe Sikkim government on Sunday extended its statewide lockdown for another week -- till June 7 amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.
The Himalayan state reported 264 more COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 15,171, while three fresh fatalities raised the count to 250, a bulletin released by the health department said.
Officials said the decision to extend the shutdown was taken at a high-level review meeting here, which was chaired by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and attended by cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Gupta among others.
Certain relaxations have been granted during the week-long lockdown, starting June 1.
Shops selling groceries and vegetables have been allowed to operate from 7 am to noon -- two hours more than what it was in the previous weeks, an official release said.
The state government has also eased curbs on agricultural activities at gram panchayat units, the release by the Information and Public Relations Department said.
PTI
Madhya Pradesh sees 1,476 COVID-19 cases, 60 deaths, 5,059 recoveriesThe COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday rose to 7,78,825 after 1,476 cases were
reported, while the count increased to 8,019 as 60 people died due to the infection during the day, an official said.
He said 5,059 people were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the recovery count in Madhya Pradesh to 7,43,550, leaving the state with 27,256 active cases, including 7,456 and 4,279 in Bhopal and Indore respectively.
The state has, in May so far, recorded 2,15,498 cases and 2,403 deaths.
"With 473 new cases, Indore's caseload went up to 1,49,425, while that of Bhopal rose by 264 to touch 1,20,627.
The death count in Indore rose to 1,338 with three deaths being reported during the day, while Bhopal's count increased by two to reach 933," he said.
PTI
COVID-19: Kerala registers 19,894 new cases; 186 deathsKerala registered 19,894 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the total caseload to 24,84,254 while the count climbed to 8,641 with 186 deaths, according to the state government.
In the last 24 hours, 1,24,537 samples were tested and the test positivity rate touched 15.97 per cent.
So far 1,97,06,583 samples have been sent for testing, a Health department statement said here.
Recoveries outnumbered the new cases with 29,013 people, undergoing treatment, turned negative for the infection, taking the total number of recoveries to 22,81,518.
At the same time, there are 2,23,727 active cases in the state, it said.
PTI
Meghalaya reports 13 additional COVID-19 fatalities, 742 new casesMeghalaya on Sunday recorded 13 more COVID-19 fatalities and 742 new cases raising the death
count to 564 and the active coronavirus tally to 7,496, a senior health official said.
Health Services director Aman War said, 974 persons have recuperated from the viral infection in the last 24 hours, outnumbering the number of new COVID-19 cases.
Ten deaths were reported from East Khasi Hills district, and one each in Ri Bhoi district, West Jaintia Hills district, and West Garo Hills district respectively.
The COVID-19 caseload in the state has increased to 35,190, and 27,130 patients have recovered from the infection so far, Mr War said.
The state has conducted over 5.98 lakh tests for detecting COVID-19, the official said.
As of Saturday, a total of 4.59 lakh people have been inoculated with over 83,000 having received both jabs, Mr War said.
PTI
Goa sees 645 new COVID-19 cases, 28 deathsGoa on Sunday reported 645 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 28 fatalities, taking the tally
of infections to 1,55,064 and the toll to 2,625, a health official said.
At the same time, 1,663 patients were discharged during the day, raising the count of recoveries in Goa to 1,38,429, he said.
Goa is now left with 14,010 active cases, the official said.
With 3,242 new tests, the number of samples tested so far in Goa went up to 8,19,933, he added.
PTI
Centre dispatches 18,265 oxygen concentrators, 7.7 lakh Remdesivir vials received as foreign aid to states
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Sunday informed that in total 18,265 oxygen concentrators and 7.7 lakh vials of anti-viral drug Remdesivir received as aid from abroad have been delivered or dispatched to states and Union Territories from April 27 to April 29 amid the second wave of COVID-19.
In addition, 19,085 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 15,256 ventilators/ BiPAP, 12 lakh Favipiravir tablets have also been delivered through road and air in the said period, the Ministry informed in a statement.
Major consignments received on May 27 and May 29 from South Korea, Indian and Bahrainin Organisations, Indian Community in Shanghai, Indian Business and Professional Group in UAE, Ctrip, and Eli Lily include 225 oxygen concentrators and 5.6 lakh tablets of Baricitinib.
Effective immediate allocation and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise.
The MoHFW is comprehensively monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated coordination cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as international cooperation in the form of grants, aid, and donations. This cell started functioning on April 26.
ANI
Ambulances with oxygen supply, ICU-trained staff deployed for COVID-19 patients in home isolation in Kerala's AlappuzhaIn a bid to provide critical medical care to COVID-19 patients in home isolation at their doorsteps, ambulances fitted with oxygen supply along with ICU trained medical staff has been deployed in the Alappuzha district of Kerala.
The district administration has joined hands with National Health Mission (NHM) and the state health department to launch the initiative to address the emergency medical needs including timely oxygen support for COVID patients in home quarantine.
"There are nearly 20,000 COVID positive patients in Alappuzha district. Whenever a call comes the team will rush to the spot. The patient will be shifted from home to the ambulance, where the oxygen saturation level and heartbeat will be monitored. The staff is well trained on what to do depending on the oxygen levels of the patient. They can administer oxygen in the ambulance itself," Dr Ajithakumari, District Medical Officer told ANI.
She said that currently nine ambulances have been converted to provide critical care and it will be increased to 12.
The health experts behind the venture feel that such decentralised medical care would help in providing timely medical care to COVID-19 patients particularly those in rural areas.
ANI
J&K fresh Covid guidelines relax corona curfew, limit it to weekends, nightsWith the grim Covid pandemic situation appearing to be on the ebb in the last two weeks in J&K, the UT administration on Sunday began the process of easing out the lockdown, limiting the corona curfew to nights and weekends only.
The ease-out process, to be implemented from Monday, was launched amid the case positivity rate falling to 6.2 per cent from 13 and the daily COVID-19 sliding down to an all-time high of 5,500 to 2,200 in the past two weeks.
While deciding to relax the corona curfew, the Jammu and Kashmir "State'' Executive Committee (JKSEC), however, opted to keep all educational institutions, including the private coaching centres, closed till June 15.
The UT administration also opted to keep all cinema halls, multiplexes, clubs, gyms, spas and paid parks closed till further orders.
PTI
2,025 ventilators received under PM Cares fund in use: KarnatakaKarnataka has so far received 2,025 ventilators under the PM Cares Fund and installed
them in various hospitals to fight COVID-19.
"Of the 2,025 ventilators, 578 have been installed in district hospitals, 574 in government medical colleges, 708 in Taluk hospitals, 24 in the Community Health Centres, and 141 in the private hospitals and medical colleges," an official statement said.
The ventilators supplied to district hospitals, medical colleges and private medical colleges and hospitals are confirmed to be in use yet there is a huge demand for additional ventilators. The demand was being examined and met continuously, the statement read.
The government said trhe State has taken the ICU facility to the Taluk hospitals-level by oxygenating 50 beds and creating six ICUs with ventilators in each of such hospitals after the first wave, it said.
PTI
COVID-19: Delhi's single-day death toll drops below 100 for first time in 47 daysWith 78 new deaths in the last 24 hours, Delhi's single day COVID-19 death toll dropped below 100 for the first time since April 13, while recording 946 fresh infections, according to the Delhi government''s health bulletin on Sunday.
With 946 fresh positive COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, Delhi's COVID-19 death count went below 100 for the first time since April 13, recording 78 new deaths on Sunday.
The national capital is witnessing a steady decline in daily coronavirus cases since the last few weeks. According to the Delhi government''s health bulletin on Sunday, as many as 1,803 people recovered from the disease in the 24-hour period, while the positivity rate remained below 2 per cent and stood at 1.25 per cent.
As per the government data, 75,440 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours and 1,92,37,040 tests were conducted so far.
ANI
Railways so far delivered over 21,392 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen to 15 statesThe Railways has delivered over 21,392 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in more than 1,274 tankers to 15 states, the national transporter said Sunday amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, 313 Oxygen Express trains have completed their journey while five loaded trains are on the run with more than 406 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in 23 tankers.
Liquid Medical Oxygen delivery to Haryana and Karnataka has crossed 2,000 tonnes each while Tamil Nadu and Telangana each have received over 1,800 tonnes of the life-saving gas.
Oxygen Express trains started their deliveries on April 24 with Maharashtra receiving a load of 126 tonnes. These freight trains have reached out to 15 states --Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Assam.
PTI
Covid: 140 more deaths, 1,908 new cases in Uttar PradeshThe COVID-19 death count in Uttar Pradesh rose to 20,346 on Sunday with 140 more fatalities, while 1,908 new cases pushed the infection tally to 16,90,016, an official statement issued here said.
Of the new fatalities, Gorakhpur reported 15 deaths, followed by 12 each in Allahabad and Kushinagar, the state government said in the statement.
Of the new cases, Meerut reported 112 infections, while Lucknow recorded 109 cases, it said.
In the past 24 hours, as many as 6,713 COVID-19 patients have recovered, taking the overall recoveries in the state to 16,28,456.
The count of active cases stands at 41,214, the statement said.
In the past 24 hours, over 3.40 lakh samples have been tested, while so far, over 4.90 crore tests have been done in the state, it added.
Thanks
COVID-19: Centre announces more benefits via ESIC, EPFO for bereaved familiesIn a huge relief to workers who lost their earning member to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Labour Ministry on Sunday announced a slew of benefits through ESIC and EPFO schemes to address the fear and anxiety of such workers about the well-being of their family members.
The social security cover by the Centre is "sought to be provided to the workers without any additional cost to the employer," the ministry said in a statement.
Currently for the Insured Persons (IPs) under ESIC, after death or disablement of the IP due to employment injury a pension equivalent to 90 per cent of average daily wage drawn by the worker is available to the spouse and widowed mother for life long and for children till they attain the age of 25 years. For the female child, the benefit is available till her marriage.
To support the families of IPs under the ESIC scheme, it has been decided that, all dependent family members of IPs who have been registered in the online portal of the ESIC prior to their diagnosis of COVID disease and subsequent death due to the disease, will be entitled to receive the same benefits and in the same scale as received by the dependents of insured persons who die as a result of employment injury.
ANI
DRDO adds 250 more beds at Delhi's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Covid HospitalThe Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday added another 250 beds at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Covid hospital in Delhi Cantonment area.
According to a government official, the facilities at the hospital, having 750 beds now, can be further extended.
"DRDO has added another 250 beds at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel COVID hospital at Delhi Cantonment. The facilities at the hospital with its 750 beds can be further extended, in case, there is a requirement. DRDO has built many such hospitals at different places including Ahmedabad, Varanasi, and Srinagar," said officials.
Earlier on April 23, the Central government extended support to the Delhi government to manage the Covid-19 crisis and ensured the reactivation of the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) COVID care facility with 500 ICU beds, funded from the PM CARES fund.
ANI
Andhra's COVID-19 recoveries breach 15 lakh-markThe total COVID-19 recoveries in Andhra Pradesh crossed 15 lakh on Sunday, resulting in a drop
in the number of active cases as fresh positives too continued their downward slide for more than a week now.
In 24 hours ending 9 am on Sunday, 21,133 Covid-19 patients in the state had recovered and 94 others died while 13,400 new cases were reported, a health bulletin said.
The gross positives went up to 16,85,142 and the recoveries to 15,08,515.
The overall count touched 10,832, it said. The active caseload is now 1,65,795.
PTI
COVID-19: Promote awareness about 4 national helpline numbers, Centre to TV channels
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday advised private television channels to promote awareness about the four national-level helpline numbers set up to provide assistance to people, including children, senior citizens, those requiring psychological support as well as address queries related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The private TV channels are advised to promote awareness of the following four national level helpline numbers by way of a ticker or such appropriate ways as they may consider at periodical intervals, especially during prime time," Director GC Aron of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry stated in a letter to the private television channels.
The four helpline numbers include 1075 - national Helpline number of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A dedicated 24x7 call centre - 1075 - was established for addressing the queries related to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine rollout and the Co-WIN software.
Among others include 1098 - child helpline number of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, 14567 - senior citizens helpline of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (NCT Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand) and 08046110007 - helpline number of NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) for psychological support.
ANI
Delhi reports 946 fresh COVID-19 cases, 78 new deathsDelhi recorded 946 fresh COVID-19 cases and 78 more deaths in the past 24 hours, according to a health bulletin issued on Sunday.
The fatality rate in the city stands at 1.69 per cent, while the case positivity rate is 1.25 per cent, it said.
There are 12,100 active cases in the national capital.
According to the bulletin, 1,803 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Delhi on Saturday had recorded 956 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest in over two months, and 122 fatalities.
PTI
Only 20,000-25,000 vaccine doses left for 18-44 age group in Assam: Himanta Biswa SarmaHinting at shortage of COVID-19 vaccines for the 18-44 age group in Assam, Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the state has only 20,000- 25,000 doses left as of now for the younger population.
Visiting the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Mr Sarma also said the state aims to inoculate around 30 per cent of its entire population by August 15 provided it receives the required doses.
"There is no vaccine for the 18-44 age group at this moment and only 20,000-25,000 doses are left. I spoke to the two companies (who supply vaccines) yesterday and they promised to send seven lakh vaccines for this group in June," he told reporters.
Covishield and Covaxin, manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech respectively, are the only vaccines available in Assam and most parts of the country.
Mr Sarma said with the next consignment of vaccines for the 18-44 age group likely to reach Assam around June 5-6, the pace of vaccination for the younger population will be slow till the first week of the next month and appealed to youths to "have patience".
PTI
Coronavirus Updates: Oxygen Express reaches Tamil Nadu
By terming COVID jabs as "Modi vaccine", Opposition tried to destroy Centre's morale: JP NaddaTaking a swipe at Opposition, BJP President JP Nadda on Sunday said the people who are questioning the government on vaccination are the ones who tried to destroy its morale by calling India''s indigenous COVID-19 vaccines as "Modi''s vaccine".
Slamming the opposition, the BJP chief said, "The opposition had tried hard to break the morale of the government as they said this is Modi''s vaccine and raised questions. But now they are screaming for vaccines. From two companies to now 13 companies have been permitted to produce COVID vaccines. Soon 19 companies will do the same. Bharat Biotech, which has been manufacturing 1.3 crore vaccines a month, will start manufacturing 10 crore vaccines per month by October."
Addressing media on the completion of seven years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government, Mr Nadda said crores of party workers in 1 lakh villages are serving the needy, trying to solve their every problem today.
"Today, after taking over the power of the country Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing 7 years as the Pradhan Sewak. The BJP is celebrating it as Seva Diwas during the COVID pandemic. Today, crores of BJP workers in 1 lakh villages are serving the needy, trying to solve their every problem," he said.
ANI
UK Could Make COVID-19 Jabs Compulsory In Healthcare, Minister Says
The British government is thinking about making COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for healthcare workers to stop the spread of the virus in hospitals, vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday.
"It would be incumbent on any responsible government to have the debate, to do the thinking as to how we go about protecting the most vulnerable by making sure that those who look after them are vaccinated," he told Sky News.
"There is precedent for this; obviously surgeons get vaccinated for hepatitis B. So it's something that we are absolutely thinking about."
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: COVID-19 lockdown in Karnataka to continue till June 7
Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday announced that the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in the state will continue till June 7.
"We have got general guidelines from GoI regarding how to follow containment measures till June 30. There will be no changes in ongoing restrictions till June 7", said Mr Bommai.
The minister also informed that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will call for a meeting of ministers and experts in a few days to take the final call.
"The positivity rate and the number of cases in the state have declined, and if every citizen supports, we can control the infection", Mr Bommai added.
Coronavirus India Updates: Odisha logs 9,541 new COVID-19 cases, 33 fresh fatalities
As many as 9,541 more people tested positive for COVID-19, taking the tally to 7,56,684 on Sunday, while 33 fresh fatalities raised the toll to 2,719, a health department official said.
Of the 9,541 new cases, 5,343 were reported from quarantine centres, and the rest were detected during contact tracing, the official said.
Accordingly, the number of active cases rose to 95,266, he said.
The coastal state's positivity rate currently stands at 6.47 per cent.
Khurda district, of which state capital Bhubaneswar is a part, reported the maximum number of new cases at 1,342, followed by Cuttack at 716, Mayurbhanj at 695, Sundergarh at 595, Angul at 562 and Puri at 528.
Nearly 12 crore doses of Covid vaccine to be available in June: Health Ministry
Nearly 12 crore doses of coronavirus vaccine will be available in June, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.
In May, 7,94 crore doses were available for vaccination.
In a statement, the ministry said the allocation of supplies to states and union territories is decided on the consumption pattern, population and vaccine wastage.
"Visibility for availability of vaccines for the entire month of June 2021 has been provided well in advance to States/UTs...," it said.
"For the month of June, 6.09 crore (6,09,60,000) doses of COVID vaccines will be supplied to the States and UTs for vaccination of priority group of Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front-Line Workers (FLWs) and person aged 45 years + and above as free supply from Government of India," the ministry said.
"In addition, more than 5.86 crore (5,86,10,000) doses will be available for direct procurement by the state/UTs and Private Hospitals. Therefore, in June 2021 close to 12 crore (11,95,70,000) doses will be available for the national COVID vaccination programme," it said.
Maharaja of erstwhile Kutch state dies of COVID-19 complications
The Maharaja of Kutch, Maharrao Pragmalji III, the titular ruler of the Jadeja dynasty of the erstwhile Kutch state, died of complications related to COVID-19, sources in the royal family said on Sunday.
The Maharaja, 85, had no children and with his death, the throne of the ruler of the erstwhile state remains vacant as he did not name a heir apparent, they said.
Maharrao Pragmalji III died on Friday and his last rites were conducted at Chhaterdi in Bhuj, the royal resting place, with COVID-19 guidelines, the sources said.
He is survived by his wife, Maharani Priti Devi, the princess of the erstwhile state of Tripura, as well as a brother and a sister.
COVID-19: Haryana extends lockdown till June 7, eases certain restrictions
The lockdown to contain COVID-19 in Haryana has been extended by a week till June 7, the state government announced on Sunday, as it relaxed curbs imposed on shop timings and malls.
The state government termed the lockdown "Mahamari Alert/Surkshit Haryana (Epidemic Alert/Safe Haryana)".
Addressing a virtual press conference, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said even though the COVID-19 situation has improved in the state, it has been decided to extend the "Mahamari Alert/Surkshit Haryana" lockdown till 5 am on June 7 with some more relaxations.
He said shops which were earlier allowed to open as per odd-even basis from 7 am to 12 pm will now be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
"We had received representations from market associations after which we decided to change the timings. However, the shops will continue to open as per the odd-even system," Mr Khattar said.
Social distancing norms flouted at a Siliguri market.
Strict COVID19 restrictions are in force till June 15 to curb the spread of COVID-19 in West Bengal.
50 people have died due to black fungus in Haryana, 650 more receiving treatment: Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said 50 people have died due to black fungus in the state so far, while 650 more are undergoing treatment for the infection in various hospitals.
"There have been over 750 cases of black fungus in Haryana so far. Fifty-eight have been cured while 50 people have lost their lives and 650 patients are seeking treatment," Mr Khattar said during a news conference here.
Addressing the conference virtually, he said the government was procuring the injection used in treatment of black fungus while some stock was already available and was being used in government hospitals.
"We have got 6,000 injection vials. Over the next two days, we will get 2,000 vials more while we have placed an order for another 5,000 vials," he said.
Update| Nearly 12 crore vaccine doses will be available for National COVID vaccination program in June 2021: Union Health Ministry
Just In| We have decided to extend COVID-19 lockdown till June 7. Shops can now operate from 9 am to 3 pm. Shopkeepers must follow odd-even formula. Educational institutions will remain closed till June 15. Night curfew will continue from 10 pm to 5 am: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar
Just In| During the second wave of COVID-19, a major challenge was to supply medical oxygen to remote areas. To counter challenges that the country faced, drivers of Cryogenic oxygen tankers helped by working on war footing and saved lives of lakhs of people: PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat
Coronavirus Updates: Odisha reports 9541 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours
Odisha reported as many as 9541 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the state health bulletin.
Out of fresh COVID-19 cases, 4198 caught the infection from local contacts.
The total number of recoveries in the state stood at 658646 and 2719 deaths. According to the official health bulletin, the state has 95266 active COVID-19 cases.
The cumulative number of COVID tests conducted so far has reached 11711459.
Just In| 1.65 lakh fresh Covid cases in India, 3,460 deaths; 2.78 crore total cases, 3.25 lakh deaths
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 695 new COVID-19 cases in Thane, 52 more deaths
Thane has reported 695 new cases of coronavirus, taking the infection count in the Maharashtra district to 5,15,091, an official said on Sunday.
Besides these new cases recorded on Saturday, the virus also claimed the lives of 52 more people, pushing the death toll in the district to 9,163, he said.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 1.77 per cent, he added.
Details of recovered and under-treatment patients were not provided by the district administration.
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.