"India COVID-19 Cases Updates:" India's coronavirus death count has also risen to 8,498. (File)
India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 3-lakh mark on Friday with a record number of over 10,000 new cases getting detected across states and union territories. The government stressed on the need for stringent containment measures to check the pandemic with the last one lakh cases emerging in just ten days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also hold a fresh round of consultation with chief ministers next week on Tuesday and Wednesday in the backdrop of the rising number of cases in the country and the ongoing graded exit from the lockdown.
The Supreme Court today pulled up the Delhi government amid spurt of virus cases, saying coronavirus patients are being treated "worse than animals" in the city.
"COVID-19 patients are treated worse than animals. In one case, a body was found in the garbage. Patients are dying and nobody is there to even attend to them," the court said this afternoon as it asked the Arvind Kejriwal government to explain the fall in testing in the city.
COVID-19 testing has gone down from 7,000 to 5,000 a day when Chennai and Mumbai have increased their testing from 16,000 to 17,000, the court said. Delhi has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in India after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The coronavirus numbers have been increasing exponentially since the May 24, when India entered the list of top 10. It has just 18 days to reach the fourth slot. India is now only behind Russia, Brazil and the US. Russia currently has 4.93 lakh cases and Brazil 7.72 lakh. The US has the maximum number -- more than 20 lakh.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Outbreak:
COVID-19: Chandigarh suspends interstate bus services till June 30
The Chandigarh administration on Friday suspended interstate bus services till June 30, saying most of the new coronavirus cases detected in the Union Territory have come from outside, an official release said.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore, it said.
It was noted in the meeting that most of the new coronavirus cases are those who have come from outside Chandigarh or their immediate contacts, the release said.
The administrator expressed concern about such cases and desired that certain restrictions should be imposed and special care must be taken to prevent the spread of infection from travellers coming from outside, it added.
Coronavirus news: Adhia panel submits final report on post-pandemic revival in Gujarat
A committee headed by former Union finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Friday submitted its report about possible measures to revive economy in the post-coronavirus period to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
In its second and final report, the panel stressed development of infrastructure and resources, ways to increase investment and better financial management, an official release said.
The report contained 231 short-term and long-term suggestions to boost the economy which has been hit by the fall-out of the pandemic and lockdown, the release said.
The six-member committee was formed on May 13 to formulate a comprehensive economic action plan and strategy to create conducive environment to attract foreign companies which are looking to relocate plants from other countries. The committee submitted its interim report on May 28, based on which Mr Rupani recently announced a Rs 14,022 crore package, the release said.
COVID-19: Punjab Chief Minister launches app for house-to-house surveillance
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday launched a mobile-based app ''Ghar Ghar Nigrani'' to undertake house-to-house surveillance in the state to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a video conference, Mr Singh with state Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu described the Health Department initiative, encompassing ASHA workers/community volunteers, as a "tool for early detection and testing of the coronavirus, and preventing its community spread", reported news agency ANI.
Speaking about the initiative of the government, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Anurag Agarwal said that the entire rural and urban population of Punjab above 30 years of age shall be surveyed as part of the drive, which will also cover persons below the age of 30 having co-morbidity or influenza-like illness/severe acute respiratory illness.
Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu witnesses highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases, count crosses 40,000-mark
Tamil Nadu on Friday recorded the highest single-day spike in its COVID-19 tally with 1,982 positive cases, taking the total number of people infected with the virus in the state to 40,698, said the health department.
"It is the highest single-day spike in COVID-19 tally with 1,982, (including 1933 indigenous cases and 49 imported cases) cases. The state has a total of 40,698 cases," it said.
As per the health bulletin, the death toll now stands at 367 with 18 fatalities on Friday.
Coronavirus news: Steep rise in COVID-19 cases in Ladakh, 124 test positive
The Union territory of Ladakh recorded the biggest spike in coronavirus cases as 124 people tested positive for the disease during the past two days, taking the total number of cases in the region to 239, officials said on Friday.
While 20 fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported from the twin districts of Leh and Kargil on Thursday, 104 new cases were reported on Friday which is also the largest single day spike in the Union territory since the outbreak of the infection in March, reported news agency PTI quoting officials.
Of the 104 cases, 69 persons tested positive in Kargil and 36 others in Leh district, the officials said while adding that Leh district had also witnessed 20 new cases on Thursday.
One person had died of coronavirus in Leh, while 62 others were cured and subsequently discharged from the hospitals.
The number of active cases in the region stands at 176 -- 102 in Kargil and 74 in Leh -- and the condition of all of them is "stable'', the officials said.
Coronavirus news: 51 active COVID-19 cases in Kerala's Ernakulam district
Kerala Minister VS Sunil Kumar on Friday said that there are 51 active cases of COVID-19 in Ernakulam district and 11,924 people are under surveillance in hospitals and home quarantine.
"A total of 51 active cases are in Ernakulam district now. 11,924 people are under surveillance in hospitals and home quarantine in the district. In this, 11,811 persons are in-home quarantine," Mr Kumar said while addressing a press conference.
He said that the government will not allow fishermen from other states.
COVID-19 cases might peak in India in July or August: Delhi hospital vice chairman
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Vice-Chairman Dr SP Byotra on Friday said that India might witness a surge in COVID-19 cases in early or mid-July or in August this year.
"The curve does not seem to flatten anytime soon. We might see a peak in early or mid-July or possibly in August. Moreover, I do not anticipate the vaccine till the first quarter of next year," Mr Byotra told ANI.
He said that around 10-15 per cent of coronavirus patients need to be hospitalised. "But are we ready?" the doctor asked.
Mr Byotra said that the governments should take everyone into confidence both government-run hospitals and private ones to combat COVID-19.
Coronavirus news: Andhra Pradesh bans government officers,employees from travelling outside state
The Andhra Pradesh government issued orders on Friday prohibiting its officers and employees from travelling outside the state as part of measures to prevent community spread of COVID-19.
In an order, Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney also directed the officers and employees, other than field-level functionaries, to minimize their movement even within the state and not leave the headquarters without written permission from the head of the department, reported news agency PTI.
So far, over six employees in the AP government Secretariat have tested positive for coronavirus in the last ten days.
Coronavirus: Delhi COVID Cases 40 Times More Than In Noida, Ghaziabad, Says UP Government
The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday submitted before the Supreme Court that it will have to continue travel restrictions at Delhi border as there are 40 times more COVID-19 cases in the national capital as compared to Noida and Ghaziabad.
Travel will be allowed through passes only for essential services including, doctors, media, and advocates, the counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh submitted before the top court, reported news agency ANI.
A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan sought the minutes of the meeting between Home Secretary, chief secretaries of the states in the National Capital Region to be filed before the court by today evening.
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Coronavirus news: 7 states demand 63 Shramik Special trains from railways
Seven state governments have listed their demand for a total of 63 Shramik Special trains from the railways, days after the Railway Board chairman wrote to the chief secretaries to give their "residual demand" for such trains to ferry migrant workers back home.
Of the total, a maximum of 32 trains will depart from Kerala while the destinations of most trains will be West Bengal (23), followed by Bihar (10), Assam (5), the railways said.
Apart from Kerala, Tamil Nadu demanded 10 Shramik Special trains, followed by Jammu and Kashmir (9), Karnataka (6), Andhra Pradesh (3), West Bengal (2) and Gujarat (1), reported news agency PTI.
The Railways said out of the 32 trains that will originate from Kerala, 19 will head to West Bengal.
The Uttar Pradesh government is yet to give its requirement of trains, the railways said.
Delhi Lt Governor constitutes advisory committee COVID management
COVID-19 cases in Delhi 40 times more than that of Noida, Ghaziabad: UP government tells Supreme Court
The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday submitted before the Supreme Court that it will have to continue travel restrictions at Delhi border as there are 40 times more COVID-19 cases in the national capital as compared to Noida and Ghaziabad.
Travel will be allowed through passes only for essential services including, doctors, media, and advocates, the counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh submitted before the top court, reported news agency ANI.
A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan sought the minutes of the meeting between Home Secretary, chief secretaries of the states in the National Capital Region to be filed before the court by today evening.
COVID-19 news: Madhya Pradesh's Indore district's coronavirus recovery rate reaches 67.3%
The recovery rate of coronavirus patients in Indore, among the worst-hit districts in the country, has risen to 67.3 per cent, a health official said on Friday.
Of 3,972 patients found in the district so far, 2,673 have been discharged from hospital after recovery, the official said.
The pandemic has claimed 164 lives in the district, reported news agency ANI quoting the official.
Going by official figures as of Friday morning, the death rate due to COVID-19 in the district is 4.13 per cent, higher than the national average.
Coronavirus news: Goa village gets COVID-19 testing centre after 6 recent cases
The Goa health department has set up a mass COVID-19 testing facility at Chimbel village, a suburban area near Panaji, after six positive cases were reported from there in the last two days, an official said.
St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, under whose constituency the village falls, on Friday said that the government set up this facility after six members of a single family from Shiren locality there tested positive.
"The authorities are keeping a close watch on the area as that part of the village where these cases occurred is located near Indiranagar locality, which is one of the biggest slums in the state," he said.
Coronavirus news: Uttarakhand reports 37 new COVID-19 cases, total count of cases at 1,692
A total of 37 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Uttarakhand taking the cumulative count of coronavirus cases in the state to 1,692 on Friday.
The highest number of new cases have been reported from Dehradun at 14, followed by Rudraprayag (7) and Haridwar(6), according to information given by state government.
Nineteen persons have succumbed to the disease and the recovery rate of coronavirus patients in the state is 52.90 per cent, the state health bulletin said.
Coronavirus news: Increasing Bed Capacity Should Be Delhi's Top COVID Priority, says Lt Governor
Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Friday said ramping up bed capacity and medical resources should be the topmost priority in handling the COVID-19 situation to ensure that a surge in coronavirus cases does not overwhelm the city's healthcare system.
The L-G's comments came two days after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that Delhi would need 1.5 lakh beds by July 31 if people from other states start coming to the national capital for treatment.
Mr Baijal, who held a meeting with Mr Kejriwal, Health Minister Satyendar Jain and senior officers of Delhi government, said, "Our objective is to break the chain of transmission and reducing the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19".
In a statement, the L-G's office said he has asked field functionaries to ensure mobility restrictions, social distancing measures, hygienic practices, quarantine of contacts, risk communication and awareness among public on preventive and public health measures to contain the COVID-19 spread.
Coronavirus news: Centre's decision to reopen activities was not taken in haste, says Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court Friday said the Central government's decision of phased reopening of lockdown was not taken in haste and it was done to ensure a proper balance between containing the spread of COVID 19 pandemic and making it certain that people are not forced to starvation.
The high court's order came while dismissing with a cost of Rs 20,000 a PIL by a law student challenging the May 30 order of the Centre by which lockdown was extended in containment zones and reopening of activities was done in a phased manner outside containment zones.
The petition was "completely misconceived" and has been filed only to "gain publicity," said the 23-page judgement of the high court which held that nothing has been shown by the petitioner as to how the May 30 order was so arbitrary or is based on such irrelevant consideration that it deserves to be struck down as being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.
Coornavirus news: 19 new COVID-19 cases in Manipur
A total of 19 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Manipur, taking the tally of coronavirus cases in the state to 385 on Friday, said the state government.
Out of the total, 312 are active cases, reported news agency ANI.
A total of nine cases were reported from Kakching, four were reported in Ukhrul, two were reported in Imphal West, and one each in Imphal East, Tamenglong, Noney, and Kangpokpi.
As per the Union Health Ministry, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 2,97,535 including 1,41,842 active cases, 1,47,195 cured/discharged/migrated, and 8,498 deaths.
Coronavirus news: 14 new COVID-19 cases in Sikkim, total count 27
Fourteen more people, including 11 women, tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim on Friday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 27, an official said.
Of the fresh patients, 12 had recently returned from Maharashtra and two from neighbouring West Bengal, and they were in various quarantine centres in East Sikkim district, reported news agency PTI quotng the health department's director general-cum-secretary, Dr Pempa T Bhutia.
"Nine were in Bahai School quarantine facility in Ranipool area, three in Epica garden and two in PNG School," he said.
Coronavirus news: 14-Day Quarantine For Self, Family Members Taking COVID-19 Tests In Chennai
The Chennai Corporation has made 14-day quarantine mandatory for all those visiting labs to give samples for COVID-19 tests. Even the family members of those who undergo tests will have to follow home isolation/quarantine norms under the new order. The Chennai Corporation believes the new move would help check the spread of virus which has infected more than 27,000 in the city.
But many believe the move could backfire and deter people from going for testing at a time when ramping up testing is the need of the hour.
Under the new move, people who visit the 30 laboratories in the city will have to provide a number of information, including the details of people they had met over the last two weeks.
The municipal body believes that the information will help them expedite tracing if a person tests positive for COVID-19. (Read full story here)
Coronavirus news: 58 more COVID-19 cases in UP
The King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow informed that samples of 58 have tested positive, news agency ANI reported. A total of 1,916 samples were tested for COVID-19, it said.
Out of the 58 new cases, one is from Hardoi, 19 from Barabanki, one from Gorakhpur, eight from Kannauj, seven from Shahjahanpur, three from Ayodhya, seven from Sambhal and 12 from Lucknow.
Coronavirus news: ITBP releases song to pay tribute to coronavirus warriors
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has released a special song to pay tribute to the coronavirus warriors in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The song titled "Rakh Honsla Himatt Na Haar" (Keep courage, don''t give up) was written by Constable Varun Kumar and sung by Constable Vikram Jeet Singh in Hindi. The music of the song has been composed by Vikram Sangha, and Constable A Rama Rao has edited the video.
"The song has been prepared by the soldiers of ITBP for the corona warriors who are serving the country without any fear. We got full support from everyone," said Vikram Jeet Singh, ITBP constable.
Lockdown will not be extended in Delhi, says Health Minister Satyendar Jain
The lockdown will not be extended in Delhi, state Health Minister Satyendar Jain was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. "No, the lockdown will not be extended," he said.
Scientists evaluate if Tuberculosis, Polio vaccines can offer protection against COVID-19
Two tried-and-true vaccines - a century-old inoculation against tuberculosis and a decades-old polio vaccine once given as a sugar cube - are being evaluated to see if they can offer limited protection against the coronavirus.
Tests are already underway to see if the TB vaccine can slow the novel coronavirus, while other researchers writing in a scientific journal Thursday propose using the polio vaccine, which once was melted on children's tongues.
The old vaccines are oddities among the cutting-edge and targeted technologies being developed to combat the novel coronavirus. New vaccines aim to teach the body's immune system to recognize and destroy the coronavirus, but scientists are only now beginning to test them in people. (Read full story
here)
JUST IN: Coronavirus cases in India in 24 hours cross the 10,000-mark; 396 deaths in biggest one-day jump
Coronavirus news: One more tests positive in Indian Olympic Association president's family
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra on Thursday said that one more member in his family has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected patients to eight in his house.
"Today on June 11, one more family member in my home tested COVID-19 positive, now bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients to 8 in my house," Batra said in a statement.
Civic Body's No-Test Order To Mumbai's Largest Lab Can Hit COVID BattleMumbai's largest private laboratory has been barred from conducting coronavirus tests for the next four weeks, which is likely to slow down testing capacity of the city, which is currently the country's biggest hotspot. The ban order came from the city civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, after alleged delays in producing reports.
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- India has now taken the fourth spot in the list of nations worst hit by Coronavirus.
- The country logged 2,95,772 cases this evening, overtaking the UK, which was in the fourth spot so far, with 2,91,588 cases.
- India is now preceded only by Russia, Brazil and the US.
- Russia currently has 4.93 lakh cases and Brazil 7.72 lakh.
- The US has the maximum number -- more than 20 lakh.
- The coronavirus numbers have been increasing exponentially since the May 24, when India entered the list of top 10.
- It has just 18 days to reach the fourth slot. On the way it has left behind Italy and Spain, two of the nations badly hit by the highly contagious virus, which surfaced in China's Wuhan in December and became a global pandemic by March.
- The surge of cases in the country came amid the world's biggest lockdown.
- On March 25, when the lockdown was declared, the country had a little over 500 cases. Ten people had died.