Covid-19 Cases in India: Active cases have been less than 2 lakhs for nine straight days
India has recorded over 2.86 crore Covid cases so far, with 1.20 lakh new cases, according to government data. This is the twelfth straight day when the country, recovering from the deadly second wave, saw a positive rate below 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, a company in Malta has expressed interest to supply up to 60 million doses of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V to Haryana directly, the state government said today. Pharma Regulatory Services Ltd, whose headquarters is in the European nation, has given an "expression of Interest" but did not bid for a contract yet, the state government said in a statement. The foreign company offered to sell the vaccine at ₹ 1,120 per dose.
India's active caseload dropped to 15.55 lakh as active cases decreased by 80,745 in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the country have been less than 2 lakhs for nine straight days.
Here are the Highlights on India Coronavirus Cases:
Australia's COVID-19 hotspot reports two new local casesAustralia's second most populous state Victoria on Sunday reported two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, raising questions over how long a hard lockdown due to end on June 10 should continue in the state's capital, Melbourne.
Two new local cases were reported, taking Victoria's total to 72, including one recovered case, in the outbreak that began in late May after a man who had tested negative in hotel quarantine in Adelaide returned to Melbourne and tested positive.
UK PM Boris Johnson calls on G7 to vaccinate world by end of 2022British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday called for leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to make a commitment to vaccinate the entire world against COVID-19 by the end of 2022 when they meet in Britain next week. PM Johnson will host the first in-person summit in almost two years of G7 leaders - which follows a meeting of the group's finance ministers which wrapped up earlier in the day - and said he would seek a pledge to hit the global vaccination goal.
"Vaccinating the world by the end of next year would be the single greatest feat in medical history," Boris Johnson said in a statement. "I'm calling on my fellow G7 leaders to join us to end this terrible pandemic and pledge we will never allow the devastation wreaked by coronavirus to happen again."
Punjab adds 1,907 more COVID-19 infections, state's tally at 5,77,997Punjab added 1,907 fresh infections to its coronavirus tally which reached 5,77,997 on Saturday, according to the state government. The state recorded 3,619 patient discharges and 79 deaths in the past 24 hours.
At present, there are 2,44,54 active cases in the state. The cumulative recoveries reached 5,38,534 while the death count stands at 15,009.
Madhya Pradesh reports 718 new COVID-19 infections, 38 deathsMadhya Pradesh reported 718 new coronavirus cases, 38 deaths and 2,225 recoveries on Saturday, according to a bulletin by the Madhya Pradesh government. As many as 81,812 tests were conducted on Saturday and a positivity rate of 0.8 per cent was recorded. At present, there are 11,344 active coronavirus cases in the state.
As many as 298 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Indore. The district has 1,509 active infections while the death count due to COVID-19 reached 1,355, according to Chief Medical and Health Officer.
Samajwadi leader booked for violating COVID-19 protocols shortly after release from prison
A case was lodged against Samajwadi Party Yuvjan Sabha chief of Auraiya Dharmendra Yadav and 200 others here on Saturday under the Disaster Management Act for flouting COVID-19 protocols and taking out a procession. Mr Yadav, who was released from prison on Friday evening, joined a procession on the Etawah-Auraiya highway with a number of vehicles in violation of COVID-19 protocols, Senior Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Singh said.
Assam reports 3,781 new COVID-19 cases, 44 fresh fatalitiesAssam's COVID-19 tally rose to 4,32,714 on Saturday as 3,781 more people tested positive for the infection, while 44 fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death count to 3,621, a health bulletin said. Cachar district reported the highest number of new cases at 322, followed by 276 in Kamrup Metro and 273 in Dibrugarh.
Nagaon reported the highest number of fresh fatalities at six, followed by five in Kamrup Metro and four in Dibrugarh, it said.
COVID-19: 100 ICU beds being set up in Bengaluru through CSR
A total of 100 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds are being set up in Bengaluru through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
While 77 of these ICU beds with set at CV Raman General Hospital, the remaining 24 ICU beds will be set at Epidemic Diseases Hospital, Karnataka Health and Medical Minister K Sudhakar informed on Saturday after his visit to the hospitals.
A 1,000 LPM oxygen generator unit, allocated through PM Cares Fund, is also being installed at CV Raman General Hospital.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka, BS Yediyurappa will inaugurate the ICUs and oxygen generator unit on Monday (June 7), the minister added.
Centre Defends Vaccine Policy, Says Reports Of Inequities "Baseless"The centre on Saturday defended its liberalised vaccine policy and said the media reports suggesting inequities in distribution of doses were "inaccurate and speculative in nature". It said the vaccine policy that came into effect from May 1 reduces the "operational stress" on state-run vaccination facilities.
"It is reiterated that the Liberalised Vaccine policy, which envisages a larger role for the private sector and the centre, is setting aside 25% of vaccines for the private sector. This mechanism facilitates better access and reduces the operational stress on Government Vaccination facilities in terms of those who could afford to pay and would prefer to go to a private hospital," it said in a statement.
Read Haryana First State To Get Foreign Firm's Reply For Direct Vaccine Sale
A company in Malta has expressed interest to supply up to 60 million doses of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V to Haryana directly, the state government said today. Haryana is the first state in the country to get a positive response for direct vaccine supply from a foreign company. Other states have been told by vaccine firms that they can only deal with the Union government.
Pharma Regulatory Services Ltd, whose headquarters is in the European nation, has given an "expression of Interest" but did not bid for a contract yet, the state government said in a statement.
The foreign company offered to sell the vaccine at ₹ 1,120 per dose.
"As per the offer made by the firm, the per dose cost of the vaccine will be nearly ₹ 1,120. The firm has further given a timeline of 30 days to supply the first batch of 5 lakh doses, followed by 1 million doses every 20 days till supply is completed against a letter of credit issued in their name," the state government said in the statement.
Kerala Reports 17,328 Covid-19 Cases, 209 Deaths
Kerala reported 17,328 new COVID-19 cases and 209 deaths on Saturday, taking the total caseload to 25,88,385 and the toll to 9,719.
Recoveries outnumbered the number of fresh cases with 24,003 people being discharged, taking the total to 24,40,642.
Among the districts, Thiruvananthapuram recorded the most number of cases--2,468, followed by Malappuram with 1,980 and Palakkad with 1,899.
"Out of those infected today, 112 reached the state from outside while 16,140 contracted the disease from their contacts. The source of infection of 1,007 people are yet to be traced. Sixty-nine health workers were also among the infected," health Minister Veena George said in a release.
She said 1,16,354 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 2,04,04,806.
13,800 New Covid Cases In Karnataka, 2,686 In Bengaluru
Karnataka on Friday registered 13,800 new coronavirus cases and 365 deaths, data released by the state health department said today. The total active Covid cases in the state now stand at 2,68,275, while the positivity rate and the death rate were reported at 9.69 per cent and 2.64 per cent, respectively. As many as 25,346 patients were discharged on Friday.
Chinese Virologist Says Dr Fauci Emails Prove Her Wuhan Lab Leak ClaimsA Chinese virologist, who was among the first to suggest the COVID-19 virus leaked from a Wuhan lab, said that US top coronavirus advisor Anthony Fauci's emails prove that she was right all along.
A trove of Fauci's emails covering the onset of the coronavirus outbreak was released this week to media under a freedom of information request.
In one email sent last April, an executive at a health charity thanked Fauci for publicly stating that scientific evidence does not support the lab-leak theory.
Dr Li-Meng Yan was one of the first to research the emerging coronavirus and previously revealed she was forced into hiding after accusing Beijing of a cover-up, New York Post reported.
"Hugely Discriminatory": India Opposes Vaccine Passports At G7 Meet
With little over 3 per cent of its population fully vaccinated, India has firmly opposed the adoption of COVID-19 vaccine passports at the G7 meeting of health ministers on Friday, saying that such an initiative could prove to be "hugely discriminatory".
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, addressing the meeting of his counterparts from seven wealthy nations - to which India was invited this year as a guest - raised concerns about the availability of vaccines and low rates of inoculation in developing nations.
"At this stage of [the] pandemic, it is pertinent to also discuss about India's concern over the idea of a vaccine passport. Considering the fact of lower levels of vaccination in developing countries in contrast to the developed countries and still unaddressed issues related to equitable and affordable access, supply and distribution of safe and effective vaccines, India would propose that implementation of vaccine passports will be hugely discriminatory and disadvantageous to the developing countries," he said.
Tamil Nadu Extends Covid Lockdown Till June 14, Identifies 11 Hotspots
The COVID-19 lockdown in Tamil Nadu has been extended for another week, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Saturday as the government announced two sets of relaxations for 11 hotspot districts and the rest of the state. The lockdown, set to end on Monday, will now be in place till June 14.
Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Tanjore, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai make up the hotspot districts where restriction will continue due to high rate of infection.
In the rest of the state, standalone grocery provision stores will be allowed to function from 6am to 5 pm. However, the fish markets and slaughter houses will be allowed only for wholesale and are to be shifted to open areas to ensure social distancing, a key facet in keeping the virus at bay.
Only 50% Seating Allowed, Take Extra Time: Delhi Metro To Commuters
The Delhi Metro department today advised commuters to take out extra time and strictly follow Covid appropriate behaviour when the rail services resume on Monday. In the guidelines issued today, Delhi government mandated that passengers will allowed to board the metro with only 50 per cent of the seating capacity.
Delhi Reports 414 Covid Cases, Lowest In Over 2 Months, 60 Deaths
Delhi today reported 414 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest since March 15. The national capital also reported 60 deaths due to the highly contagious virus. The total active Covid cases in Delhi are below 7,000, while the recovery rate and the death rate are 97.81 per cent and 1.72 per cent, respectively. The positivity rate in the city is 0.47 per cent, the lowest since March 10. As many as 1,683 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours.
Around 400 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi: Arvind KejriwalDelhi on Saturday recorded about 400 fresh COVID-19 cases while the positivity rate dropped further to 0.5 per cent, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
Announcing relaxations in lockdown like the opening of markets on an odd-even basis and resumption of Delhi Metro operations at 50 per cent capacity, the chief minister said if the number of cases remains in control for another week, the restrictions will be eased further.
On Friday, Delhi had recorded 523 new COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths while the positivity rate stood at 0.68 per cent, according to health department data.
The infection rate, which had reached 36 per cent in the last week of April, has fallen below 1 per cent.
PTI
Odisha's COVID-19 tally breaches 8-lakh mark, 40 fresh fatalities recordedOdisha's COVID-19 tally on Saturday breached the eight-lakh mark after 7,395 more people
tested positive for the infection, while 40 fresh fatalities pushed the count to 2,952, a health department official said.
The coastal state's caseload has now risen to 8,06,094, the official said.
Of the 7,395 cases, 4,169 were recorded in quarantine centres, and the rest detected during contact tracing.
Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 78,687, the health department official said.
As many as 7,24,402 patients have recovered from the highly infectious disease, including 11,347 on Friday.
Khurda district, of which the state capital Bhubaneswar is a part, reported the maximum number of new cases at 1,069, followed by Cuttack at 868, Jajpur at 561 and Angul at 443.
PTI
Maharashtra: 1179 villages in Nanded district become coronavirus-freeOut of the total 1,604 villages in Nanded district of Maharashtra, as many as 1,179 have become coronavirus-free, while 271 others have not reported even a single infection case during the second wave of the pandemic, an official said.
Nanded district has so far recorded over 90,000 coronavirus positive cases and more than 1,800 people have died due to the viral infection till now.
The district has 1,604 villages across 16 tehsils. Of these, 1,179 villages have become COVID-19-free and as on June 4 there is not a single positive case there, the district official said.
Apart from them, 271 villages remained untouched by the pandemic during its second wave, the official added.
Nanded Zilla Parishad's CEO Varsha Thakur attributed this encouraging scenario to the team work.
PTI
404 new COVID-19 cases push Arunachal Pradesh's tally to 28,786The COVID-19 caseload in Arunachal Pradesh rose to 28,786 as 404 more people tested
positive for the infection, a senior health department official said on Saturday.
The COVID-19 death count increased to 122 as three more persons died due to the disease, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
The three patients from Capital Complex region, East Siang and Lower Siang died on Thursday while undergoing treatment at various health facilities, the official said.
Changlang district witnessed the highest spurt in fresh cases at 102, followed by the Capital Complex region (52), Namsai (38), Anjaw (36), Tawang (21), Lohit, West Kameng and Pakke Kessang at 19 each, Lower Dibang Valley (15), Lower Subansiri and Papumpare at 14 each and East Siang at 11.
Nine fresh infections were also reported from East Kameng, Upper Subansiri (8), Longding (7), Upper Siang (6), four each from Kurung Kumey and Tirap, two each from Leparada
and Dibang Valley and one each from Kra Daadi and West Siang district respectively, the SSO said.
Of the fresh cases 387 were detected through rapid antigen tests, 12 through RT-PCR and 5 through TrueNat method, the official said, adding 145 people have symptoms of COVID-
19.
Arunachal Pradesh now has 3,829 active COVID-19 cases.
PTI
Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Narinder Bragta dies of COVID-19Chief whip in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and BJP MLA Narinder Bragta died due to COVID-19 at PGI Chandigarh on Saturday morning, his son Chetan Bragta tweeted. He was 68.
Chetan Bragta, in a tweet, said his father succumbed to the virus after a long struggle against it.
The three-time MLA was also the Chief Whip of the BJP in the state assembly.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had visited PGI Chandigarh on Friday evening to enquire about his health.
Mr Thakur termed his demise an irreparable loss for Himachal Pradesh, especially for Jubbal-Kotkhai.
Narinder Bragta was first time elected to the State Legislative Assembly in 1998 from Shimla Constituency. He was re-elected in December 2007 from Jubbal-Kotkhai.
He remained Minister of State for Horticulture (Independent Charge) 1998-02 and Horticulture, Technical Education and Health Minister from December 30, 2007 to December 2012.
He was re-elected to the 13th Vidhan Sabha from Jubbal-Kotkhai for the third term in December 2017.
PTI
18 new COVID-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar IslandsAndaman and Nicobar Islands reported 18 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the coronavirus tally
in the union territory to 7,088, a health official said on Saturday.
The COVID-19 death count to 121 as two more persons died due to the infection in the last 24 hours, he said.
Of the 18 new cases, 15 were detected during contact tracing while three were airport arrivals, he said.
All passengers arriving by flight have to go undergo a mandatory Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before they are allowed entry into the islands, the official said.
Thirty-two more people have been cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the archipelago to 6,852, the official said.
The union territory now has 115 active COVID-19 cases.
PTI
Thane district adds 592 COVID-19 cases, death count up by 38With 592 new coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra
mounted to 5,20,332, an official said on Saturday. These cases were reported on Friday, he said.
As the virus claimed the lives of 38 persons during the day, the death count in the district rose to 9,408. Thane's COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.80 per cent now, he added.
In neighboring Palghar district, the infection count has now reached 1,11,323, while the death count is 2,145, another official said.
PTI
Cases Of Serious Post-Covid Complications Rise In DelhiThe war against the coronavirus is not over for many in Delhi even after they defeated the deadly disease in initial battles. According to doctors, the number of patients with serious post-Covid complications in the outpatient departments (OPD) of the national capital's hospitals is increasing alarmingly.
Doctors are now handling 25-30 patients with post-Covid complications in the OPDs daily, and the symptoms are far more serious than those reported in the first wave. Patients are requiring oxygen support several weeks after recovering from the infection; last year, the most common symptom was fatigue.
US Contributed $2 Billion To Global Alliance On Vaccines Gavi For Covax FacilityUS has so far contributed $2 billion to GAVI for COVAX facility, a global risk-sharing mechanism for pooled procurement and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The information about the contribution was shared by Jeremy Konyndyk, Executive Director of the USAID COVID-19 Task Force on Friday in a special briefing of US Department of State.
"We have given, so far, $2 billion to GAVI for the COVAX Initiative, the COVAX platform, which is facilitating equitable distribution of vaccines around the world," said Mr Konyndyk.
US sending $266.5 million in aid to Afghanistan for Covid responseThe United States announced more than $266 million in additional humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, intended mainly for its Covid-19 response, as foreign troops continue their withdrawal from the country.
"As the United States withdraws military forces from Afghanistan, our enduring commitment is clear," top US diplomat Antony Blinken said. "We remain engaged through our full diplomatic, economic and assistance toolkit to support the peaceful, stable future the Afghan people want and deserve."