Coronavirus cases in India has crossed the 6 lakh mark
Coronavirus Live Updates: A huge spike of 22,771 new coronavirus patients was recorded in the last 24 hours, taking India's tally to 6,48,315 cases. A total of 18,655 patients have died since the beginning of the pandemic, the Union Health Ministry said this morning. The number of recoveries stands at 3,94,227. The recovery rate has improved to 60.80 per cent. There are 2,35,433 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country at present.
Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-hit state with over 1,92,990 infections. The death count due to the pandemic rose to 8,376 after 198 new deaths reported on Friday, a health department statement said.
The first made-in-India coronavirus vaccine may be launched by August 15, with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) fast-tracking efforts to develop "Covaxin" in partnership with Bharat Biotech International Limited. A dozen institutes have been selected for clinical trials of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine (BBV152 COVID vaccine), the government's top medical research body has said.
Worldwide, scientists are racing to produce a vaccine for the deadly virus that has infected over 10 million, including 600,000 in India, and caused more than 500,000 deaths.
Here are the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases In India Live Updates:
Delhi asks district magistrates to start COVID-19 survey outside containment zones
The Delhi government has directed district magistrates to start COVID-19 survey outside containment zones, focusing on vulnerable sections in areas with sporadic cases, sources said on Saturday.
Earlier this week, the Union Home Ministry had said door-to-door survey would be completed in coronavirus containment zones of Delhi by July 6, followed by a similar exercise across the national capital.
"Now, the survey will be expanded in its scope beyond containment zones, focusing in areas where isolated cases have been reported. Vulnerable people who live in such areas will be priority as they are likely to catch infections rather more frequently," a source said.
The door-to-door survey in containment zones was near complete when the home ministry issued its direction on last Monday.
Total shutdown in Odisha's Cuttack city till July 8
The Odisha government on Saturday declared complete shutdown in Cuttack till July 8 amid rising COVID-19 cases.
All non-essential shops will be closed and non-essential travel prohibited, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) said in a notification.
Grocery, vegetable and milk shops can remain open from 5 am to 6 pm, while strictly adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Cuttack's COVID-19 tally surged to 116, including 92 active cases.
1,168 new cases in Pune on Saturday, COVID-19 count now 27,311
The number of COVID-19 cases in Pune district reached 27,311 after 1,168 people tested positive for novel coronavirus on Saturday, an official said.
The death count reached 835 as 31 people died due to the infection during the day, he added.
Of the 1,168 cases, Pune city accounted for 816 and Pimpri Chinchwad 226.
With this, the number of cases in Pune city crossed the 20,000-mark and stood at 20,588, while the count in Pimpri Chinchwad was 4,398, he added.
Jammu and Kashmir reports 227 new COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths
As many as eight deaths and 227 new coronavirus cases were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, said the health department.
The total number of cases in the Union Territory now stands at 8,246.
According to an official bulletin by the J-K Administration, out of the total COVID-19 cases, recovered cases are 5,143, active cases are 2,976, and the death toll stands at 127.
Gujarat reports 712 new cases of COVID-19
Gujarat on Saturday reported 712 new cases of COVID-19 taking the total count of cases to 35,398.
According to Gujarat Health Department, 712 new cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths were reported in the state in the last 24 hours.
The total cases include 25,414 recoveries and 1,927 deaths.
UP's COVID-19 active count reaches 7,627 with 772 new cases
Uttar Pradesh on Saturday reported 772 new cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 7,627.
As many as 773 people have succumbed to the COVID-19 infection in the state till date.
"Uttar Pradesh reported 772 new COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 7,627 and death toll to 773," as per the state's Health Department.
In the state, 18,154 coronavirus patients have been discharged so far, according to Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad.
COVID-19 death count in Bengal jumps to 736 with record 19 fatalities in one dayWest Bengal registered twin records of the highest single-day surge in COVID-19 fatalities and cases on Saturday, as 19 people died of the disease and 743 more tested positive for the virus, the state health department said.
The death toll mounted to 736, while the state's coronavirus tally shot up to 21,231, a bulletin released by the department said.
Of the 19 deaths, 18 were due to co-morbid conditions where COVID-19 was incidental, it said.
Kolkata accounted for 242 fresh cases of COVID-19, followed by 164 in neighbouring North 24 Parganas district.
No Kanwar Yatra This Year Due To Coronavirus Pandemic, Says HaryanaThe Haryana government will make arrangements to bring water from the Ganga river in Haridwar to the state on Maha Shivratri during the Shravan month this year. However, the state government has decided not to allow kanwariyas to proceed on kanwariya yatras this year due to the coronavirus pandemic."
Delhi's COVID-19 Positivity Rate Declines, Recovery Rate Crosses 70%
The COVID-19 positivity rate in Delhi has declined to 10. 58 per cent after rising to nearly 37 per cent, and the average number of cases has also dropped by almost 1,000 over the previous week, indicating a welcome trend, though experts have cautioned the people against lowering their guard.
The national capital's recovery rate too has risen significantly crossing 70 per cent, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. The national recovery rate is 60.81 per cent.
Haryana Chief Minister wears PPE kit, visits COVID-19 ward in Sonipat
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited a ward of COVID-19 patients in a Sonipat hospital wearing a PPE kit and praised doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff for fighting the pandemic.
Mr Khattar visited the ward of COVID-19 patients in the BPS medical college at Khanpur Kalan in Sonipat district.
During his visit to Rohtak later, the chief minister asked officials to explore the possibilities of pool testing.
Pune to form flying squads to tackle lockdown violations
The Pune district administration said it will form flying squads to curb the coronavirus outbreak, with rural parts reporting over 2,000 cases and more than 70 deaths so far.
District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said it was also decided to have larger areas under containment rather than micro and mini zones.
"It was decided to form flying squads comprising police, revenue and health personnel who will ensure lockdown norms are not violated. It will be mandated to take action against those not wearing masks," he said.
Jordan puts wristbands on arrivals to monitor virus quarantine
Jordan began putting electronic bracelets Saturday on travellers who have recently arrived in the kingdom to ensure that they observe home-quarantine against the spread of coronavirus, an official said.
People arriving in Jordan must isolate for 14 days at hotels designated by the authorities on the shores of the Dead Sea, west of the capital Amman.
After that period, they must self-isolate for an additional 14 days at home, according to Nizar Obeidat, spokesman for Jordan's virus task force.
Quarantine must for those entering Himachal Pradesh from red zones: Official
The Himachal Pradesh government said people coming from red zones will be kept in institutional quarantine.
The decision comes two days after the state government allowed entry of tourists.
No movement pass is needed, but registration is must for people coming to the hill state, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi said during a video conference with deputy commissioners and block development officers.
"People entering the state from red zones will be kept in quarantine," the chief secretary said, but did not specify the duration of the quarantine period.
Bengal records over 21,000 COVID-19 cases till now
West Bengal and its capital Kolkata reported record number of new cases today. A total of 743 new cases were recorded in 24 hours in Bengal while 242 of those new cases are from Kolkata. In the last 24 hours, 19 deaths were reported in the state.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Bengal stands at 21,231 while the death toll is 736.
Robust health infrastructure important: Rajasthan minister
Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said a robust health infrastructure is important in ensuring healthcare facility to everyone.
Looking at the demographics of the state and the increasing population, it is a challenging task to reach every person and facilitate the medical services to them, the minister said.
He, however, added that the state government is making efforts towards achieving the goal of providing services to all with the help of private players and NGOs. "Even during the COVID-19 crisis, Rajasthan is one of those states which successfully managed to contain the spread of the coronavirus," he said.
A total of 1,07,001 COVID-19 cases recorded in Tamil Nadu: Report
As many as 65 deaths and 4,280 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Tamil Nadu today, according to the State Health Department.
With 4,280 new coronavirus cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 1,07,001 in the state. While the total number of active cases stands at 44,956, the death count has reached 1,450, said the health department.
Nitish Kumar Sends Sample After He Sat Next To Leader Who Tested Coronavirus Positive
Bihar Chief Minister
Nitish Kumar and his secretaries have given their swab samples for COVID-19 testing after they attended an event where a BJP leader who was found infected with the highly contagious coronavirus was also present, sitting next to the Chief Minister.
Nitish Kumar was one of the top leaders in the oath ceremony of the new members of the Bihar Legislative Council on July 1.
The Council's Chairperson Awadhesh Narayan Singh sent his swab sample for testing on Friday and it returned positive today.
22 Crore Food Packets, 5 Crore Modi Ration Kits Distributed By Party Workers During Lockdown: BJP Chief JP Nadda
BJP workers distributed 22 crore food packets and five crore ''Modi ration kits'' during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, party chief JP Nadda said on Saturday.
Speaking at ''Seva Hi Sangathan'' programme at the BJP headquarters, Mr Nadda said BJP workers also encouraged nearly 58 lakh people to contribute to PM-CARES Fund.
"Over 8 lakh BJP workers distributed over 22 crore food packets, 5 crores "Modi ration kits'' and more than 5 crore face covers during the lockdown period. Our workers encouraged about 58 lakh people to contribute to ''PM-CARES Fund," he said.
No ''Kanwar Yatra'' In Odisha This Year Due To COVID-19 Pandemic
The Odisha government on Saturday announced a ban on "Kanwar Yatra" by devotees of Lord Shiva during Shravan month this year, amid the rising number of novel coronavirus cases in the state.
In view of the pandemic, the state government has decided not to allow ''Kanwariyas'' or ''Bol Bam'' devotees (disciples of Lord Shiva) to collect water from rivers, ponds and other water bodies and offer prayer at different Shiva temples on every Monday during Shravan month starting from July 6, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said.
The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of Shiva's followers to pilgrimage sites including the temples of Lord Lingaraj in Bhubaneswar and Dhabalwswar near Cuttack.
Tourism Likely To Begin In A Week, Says Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur
Himachal Pradesh has decided to open the state for tourists and the tourism department of the state government will issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the functioning of the tourism industry.
The government has made it mandatory for tourists to show COVID-19 negative test reports from an ICMR recognised lab.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that on the basis of the guidelines from Ministry of Home Affairs, there will not be any restrictions on movements of people.
"We have taken up the matter to MHA that registrations would be mandatory and we would keep a record if someone is tested positive and this record will help in contact tracing. As far as tourism is concerned, the tourists will have to come minimum for five to seven days and SOPs would be issued by Monday," Mr Thakur said.
Mizoram Postpones Opening Of Schools For 2020-21 Academic Session
The Mizoram government has postponed the opening of schools for the 2020-21 academic session for an indefinite period as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, a minister said.
The government had earlier decided to open educational institutions for the current academic session from July 15.
Mizoram education minister Lalchhandama Ralte said the decision to defer the opening of schools was in line with the Centre's directives.
PM Modi Lauds Welfare Measures Undertaken By BJP During COVID-19 Lockdown
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the welfare measures undertaken by the BJP during the nationwide COVID-19-induced lockdown as seven state units of the party gave a presentation of their work at a video conference.
Reviewing the relief work done by the party's Bihar unit during the ''Seva Hi Sangathan'' meet, PM Modi said that some believed that COVID-19 will spread more in east India due to high poverty, but people proved it wrong.
Praising the work of the BJP's Rajasthan unit during the lockdown, he said this shows as to how a party can play a "constructive role" whether it is in power or in opposition during a crisis.
Combating COVID-19: Total Lockdown Imposed In Bengaluru
With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, the state government has decided to impose a total lockdown in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits.
The lockdown will start from 8 pm today till 5 am on Monday. The sale of essential items will only be allowed during the total lockdown.
"Complete lockdown to be imposed from 8 pm today till 5 am on Monday in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, as per instructions by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in view of COVID-19," BBMP Commissioner Anil Kumar said on Saturday.
COVID-19: Goa Will Set Up Plasma Bank, Says Health Minister
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday said the state will have a plasma bank to treat COVID-19 patients.
He said Goa Medical College and Hospital already has the facilities required to operate such a bank and people who have recovered from the infection would be asked to come
forward to donate plasma.
A decision on setting up such a bank will be conveyed to the Indian Council of Medical Research soon, he added.
He said GMCH's department of transfusion medicine will be given more human resources.
Delhi's Jama Masjid Reopens For Public
Jama Masjid, which was closed as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of COVID-19, reopened for the public on Saturday.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of the mosque said that it will remain open from 9 am to 10 pm and social distancing norms will be followed.
Meanwhile, Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, Shahi Imam of the Fatehpuri Mosque, said, "Fatehpuri Mosque is allowed to reopen now. But, we should keep in mind that COVID-19 is still there. We have to take all precautions including wearing masks and using sanitisers frequently."
765 New COVID-19 Cases In Andhra Pradesh, Number Of Deaths Rises To 218
With the COVID-19 cases rising sharply across the country, Andhra Pradesh saw a surge of 727 new cases in last 24 hours. Apart from it, the state government also detected 32 positive cases from other states and six from other countries, taking the total number of cases to 765.
As per officials, 218 patients have also lost their lives in the state.
A total of 12 deaths have also been reported in last 24 hours. While three each case were reported from Kunool and Srikakulam, two each from Visakhapatnam and Chittoor. One case each was reported from Kadapa and Vizianagaram.
Indian-Led Team Develops Cheap, Electricity Free Centrifuge For COVID-19 Testing
Researchers, led by an Indian scientist, have developed a cheap, electricity free centrifuge to separate components in patient saliva samples for the detection of the novel coronavirus, an advance that may increase accessibility of COVID-19 diagnostics in poor regions of the world.
According to the scientists, including Manu Prakash from Stanford University in the US, the ''Handyfuge'' device spins sample-containing tubes at very high speeds, enough to separate the virus genome from patient saliva samples, without needing electricity.
Coronavirus: No Inter-State Buses; Inter-District Services Normalised In Madhya Pradesh
In view of the COVID-19 situation in Madhya Pradesh, the state government has said that inter- state bus services will remain suspended until further orders, an official said on Saturday.
In an order issued late on Friday evening, the state home department stated that inter-state bus operations will continue to be suspended, while inter-district buses will ply normally, the official said.
Tamil Nadu Crosses One Lakh COVID-19 Mark; More Tests, Early Detection Key Behind High Numbers, Says Government
Tamil Nadu may have breached the grim benchmark of one lakh COVID-19 infections, racing to second place in the country behind Maharashtra, but the government says ramped up testing and early detection are among the factors leading to reporting of such high numbers.
The southern state's numbers as on Friday clocked a total of 1,02,721 with 1,385 deaths, while recoveries stood at 58,378. The recovery rate is 57 per cent.
COVID-19: Rs 50 Fine In Bihar For Not Wearing Mask At Offices, Public Places
The Bihar government has decided to impose a fine of Rs 50 on people found not wearing face masks at offices and public places.
A notification issued by the state health department to this effect on July 3, under the ''Bihar Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulation 2020'', also said that people flouting the norm would be given two masks free of cost to motivate them to wear face covers.
"Wearing a face mask or face cover has been made compulsory (for people at public places or in offices) and Rs 50 will be imposed as fine for violating the regulation," Anupam Kumar, the secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, said.
JustIn| No flights to Kolkata from 6 cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai from July 6-19
Scientists Strike Caution As ''Made In India'' Vaccine Chases August 15 Launch Date
India's COVID-19 vaccine programme has gained sudden traction but it is imperative to strike a balance between giving it high priority and rushing a process that usually takes months, even years, several scientists said on Saturday, a day after the ICMR announced it envisaged a preventive by next month, reports PTI.
Coronavirus news: Pune Man Wears Mask Made Of Gold Worth Nearly Rs. 3 Lakh
A resident of Pimpri-Chinchwad of Pune district, Shankar Kurade, has got himself a mask made of gold worth Rs 2.89 lakh amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports ANI.
Fast-Tracking COVID Vaccine Only For Independence Day Announcement: Sitaram Yechury
Asserting that scientific advances cannot be "made to order", CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury today alleged the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was trying to fast-track the production of a coronavirus vaccine so that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could make the announcement on Independence Day, reports PTI.
WHO Lauds India's Effort In COVID-19 Fight, Urges To Focus On Data Management
Even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) lauded the Indian government for its efforts in tackling COVID-19, the world nodal health agency said that India should also focus on data management originating from the pandemic, reports ANI.
Coronavirus News: Odisha's COVID-19 Death Count Mounts To 34
Five more people died of COVID-19 in Odisha, taking the death toll to 34, while the total number of cases reached 8,601 with the detection of 495 fresh infections, a health official said on Saturday, reports PTI.
Andhra Pradesh recorded 765 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Centre Revises Dosage Of Anti-Viral Drug Remdesivir To COVID-19 Patients
The Union health ministry on Friday revised the dosage of anti-viral drug remdesivir to be administered to coronavirus patients in the moderate stage of illness from the earlier six days to five days as it issued an updated ''Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19'', reports PTI.
"Pathetic": Karnataka MLA After Delay In Finding Bed For COVID-19 Patient
A Karnataka Congress MLA lashed out at the BS Yediyurappa government on Saturday over the "pathetic" condition of hospitals and healthcare infrastructure in the state, after reportedly spending over five hours trying to locate a hospital bed for a critically-ill COIVD-19 patient.
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Case In Connection With Wedding That Set Off Biggest COVID-19 Infection Chain In Bihar
The father of a man who recently died here after showing coronavirus-like symptoms has been charged for violating guidelines issued in the wake of the pandemic at the wedding ceremony, which had set off the biggest infection chain in Bihar, the district administration said on Friday, reports PTI.
There have been accusations of faulty PPE and no action was taken by management. Medical education minister K Sudhakar says has ordered an enquiry.
WHO Team In China Next Week To Investigate Coronavirus Origins
Amid global concerns that China delayed giving information regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak, a team of WHO (World Health Organisation) will visit the country next week to investigate the origins of the virus and its spread to human beings, reports ANI.
Coronavirus news: 204 new COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan
As many as 204 new COVID-19 and three deaths have been reported in Rajasthan till 10:30 am on Saturday, informed the State Health Department, reports ANI.
Coronavirus news: 495 COVID-19 Cases In Odisha
As many as 495 new positive cases have been reported in Odisha, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 8,601, reports ANI.
COVID-19 news: Over 22,000 Coronavirus Cases In India In 24 Hours For First Time
India's COVID-19 tally touched 6,48,315 with the biggest single-day increase of 22,771 cases, the latest data from the Union Health Ministry shows. The country also witnessed 442 deaths during the period, taking the total number of death count to 18,655. The number of recoveries stands at 3,94,227. The recovery rate has improved to 60.80 per cent.
Read Here Coronavirus news: Health Ministry Issues Revised Home Isolation Guidelines For COVID-19
With a large number of people showing no symptoms testing positive for COVID-19, the Union Health ministry has revised home isolation guidelines to include asymptomatic positive patients in the list of mild or pre-symptomatic coronavirus infection cases, reports PTI.
Seven US States Post Record COVID-19 Cases, Curfew Ordered In Miami
Alabama and six other U.S. states reported record increases in coronavirus cases on Friday as Florida's most populous county imposed a curfew ahead of the Independence Day weekend and Arkansas joined a push toward mandating mask-wearing in public, reports Reuters.
Coronavirus latest news: 22,771 new patients was recorded in the last 24 hours
A huge spike of 22,771 new coronavirus patients was recorded in the last 24 hours, taking India's tally to 6,48,315 cases. A total of 18,655 patients have died since the beginning of the pandemic, the Union Health Ministry said this morning.
3 New COVID-19 Cases In Andaman And Nicobar Islands
Three new COVID-19 cases were reported from the Union Territory on Saturday. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration informed that out of new cases, two are contacts of earlier positive cases and one is a traveller from another state, reports ANI.
COVID-19 Patient's Body On Bengaluru Street, Ambulance Arrives 2 Hours Later
A family had to wait for nearly two hours for an ambulance after a coronavirus patient died at his home in Bengaluru on Friday. In a video, the body of the 55-year-old man was seen lying on a street outside his residence, with his relatives seen standing beside the body.
Read Here 11,300 ''Made In India'' ventilators dispatched so far: Dr Harsh Vardhan
As many as 11,300 ''Made in India'' ventilators have been dispatched so far and 6,154 have been delivered to the hospitals, said Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.
UK Allows Quarantine-Free Travel For Some Countries; India, US Excluded
The UK on Friday allowed quarantine-free international travel to nearly 60 "lower risk countries", excluding India and the US, as it released a list of exempt nations posing "a reduced risk" from the deadly coronavirus, reports PTI.
Number Of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Brazil Surpasses 1.5 Million: Health Ministry
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Brazil has increased within the past 24 hours by 42,223 to 1,539,081, the national Ministry of Health said on late Friday, reports ANI.
COVID-19: 1,892 New COVID-19 Cases, 8 Deaths Reported In Telangana
A total of 1,892 new COVID-19 cases has been reported in Telangana, taking the tally to 20,462 in the state on Friday. The state has reported eight fatalities and 1,126 patients were discharged on Friday, as per the 9 pm bulletin issued by the state government, reports ANI.
Maharashtra Records Highest Single-Day COVID Spike Of 6,364 CasesMaharashtra reported another single-day highest increase in coronavirus cases on Friday with 6,364 new patients being detected, which took the case count in the state to 1,92,990. Read more
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