New Delhi: 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:
Jun 12, 2020 23:14 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 22:57 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 22:41 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 22:23 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 21:53 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 21:29 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 20:49 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 20:38 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 20:02 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 19:28 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 18:41 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 18:19 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 18:05 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 17:49 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 17:40 (IST)
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.
Jun 12, 2020 17:29 (IST)
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.
