Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched six crash course programmes to train and upskill around one lakh frontline workers to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi urged people to remain cautious, stressing that the virus is "still amongst us" and the possibility of it mutating is also there. He also said the government is committed to providing free Covid vaccination for everyone starting June 21.
With 62,480 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 2,97,62,793, while the death count climbed to 3,83,490 with 1,587 fresh fatalities, the lowest in 61 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The active cases have fallen below 8 lakh after 73 days and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has crossed 96 per cent.
The active cases have declined to 7,98,656 comprising 2.68 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 96.03 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A net decline of 28,084 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
A total of 19,29,476 tests were conducted on Thursday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 38,71,67,696.
The daily positivity rate was recorded 3.24 per cent. It has been less than 5 per cent for 11 consecutive days, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 3.80 per cent.
Here are the Live Updates on India Coronavirus (Covid-19 Cases) Cases:
Jun 19, 2021 00:54 (IST)
Maharashtra Extends Free Meal Scheme Till July 14 Amid Pandemic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday extended the state's "Shiv Bhojan" scheme till July 14 amid the coronavirus pandemic and resultant restrictions, officials said, according to news agency PTI. While meals under the scheme used to have a nominal fee earlier, the state government has made it free during the coronavirus-induced restrictions. So far, under the scheme, over 4.70 crore meals have been supplied, an official said, adding that with the increase of 441 centres to distribute meals, the total number of meals across the state per day will go up to 44,300. The number of "Shiv Bhojan" centres stand at 1,043, he added.
Jun 18, 2021 19:12 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Kerala Logs 11,361 New Covid Cases, 90 Deaths
Kerala today reported 11,361 new coronavirus cases and 90 more deaths, taking the caseload to 27,85,304 and the death count to 11,833, reported news agency PTI.
A total of 12,147 persons recuperated from the disease, taking the number of those cured to 26,65,354.
Currently, there are 1,07,682 persons under treatment, and 4,69,522 under observation of which 27,905 are in isolation wards of various hospitals.
State Health Minister Veena George said 1,11,124 samples were tested in the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate was 10.22 per cent.
Jun 18, 2021 17:58 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Patient With Suspected Black Fungus Infection Flees From Bengal Hospital
A patient suspected of being infected with mucormycosis, commonly known as Black Fungus, allegedly ran away from Siliguri's North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH), where she was admitted, hospital authorities said, reported news agency ANI.
The authorities of the hospital, which has been designated as the regional centre for the treatment of Black Fungus cases, said that they had informed the police to trace the woman who had fled the facility on Thursday evening. The woman is from Bengal's Murshidabad district.
Jun 18, 2021 16:55 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Railways Delivers Over 32,000 Tonnes Of Medical Oxygen Across India
The Oxygen Express trains have delivered over 32,000 metric tonnes (MT) of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) across the country, the Ministry of Railways said today, reported news agency ANI.
As many as 444 Oxygen Express trains have completed their journey that brought relief to 15 states. More than 17,700 MT of liquid oxygen has been delivered across the southern states.
Railways has delivered 32,095 MT of LMO in 1,834 tankers across the country, the ministry said.
Jun 18, 2021 16:42 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Delhi Logs 165 Cases In 24 Hours, Positivity Rate At 0.22 Per Cent
Delhi reported 165 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours as the positivity rate dipped to 0.22 per cent, according to a health department bulletin. With 14 deaths in the same period, the overall death count of the national capital has reached 24,900.
There are 2,445 active Covid cases in the city, the lowest since March 15 when there were 2,321 active cases. As many as 698 Covid patients are in home isolation.
