Coronavirus News Updates: PM speaks to Kamala Harris, appreciates US efforts for vaccine supply to India

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Biden announces international COVID-19 vaccine sharing plan

President Joe Biden announced Thursday the U.S. will donate 75% of its unused COVID-19 vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program, acting as more Americans have been vaccinated and global inequities have become more glaring, reports AP.

Of the first tranche of 25 million doses, the White House said about 19 million will go to COVAX, with approximately 6 million for South and Central America, 7 million for Asia and 5 million for Africa. The doses mark a substantial — and immediate — boost to the lagging COVAX effort, which to date has shared just 76 million doses with needy countries.

Overall, the White House aims to share 80 million doses globally by the end of June, most through COVAX. But 25% of the nation’s excess will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the U.S. to share directly with allies and partners.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Bihar continues to see receding trend

The raging coronavirus on Thursday continued to show signs of ebbing in Bihar with the state recording 28 new fatalities and 1106 fresh cases of infection, state health department bulletin said. The new deaths pushed the toll to 5296, while the tally of the positive patients increased to 7,10,199 since outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Out of 1106 fresh positive cases, capital Patna had the lion share of 124 infections. A total of 6,93,472 COVID patients have recovered so far. The state has a recovery rate of 97.64 percent.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Kamala Harris calls Modi; US to share Covid vaccines with India directly

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him about the United States’ global allocation plan of the first 25 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to Vice President Harris for the US decision, as well as for all other forms of support and solidarity that India has received in recent days from the US Government, businesses and the Indian expatriate community in the US.

The leaders discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the health supply chain between the US and India, including in the area of vaccine manufacturing. 

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Rajasthan records 44 coronavirus deaths, 1,258 new cases

Forty-four COVID-19 related deaths and 1,258 fresh cases were reported in Rajasthan on Thursday, taking the total number of fatalities and positive cases to 8,559 and 9,43,494 respectively, a health bulletin said.

The maximum of 11 deaths and 340 positive cases were reported from Jaipur while the rest of the deaths and cases were reported from other districts in the state. A total of 9,07,527 COVID patients have recovered from the infection while the number of active cases at present is 27,408.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Andhra CM writes to other CMS on urging Centre to take charge of vaccination drive

Andhra Pradesh drew a blank to its global bid inviting international pharma firms to supply Covid-19 vaccine, prompting Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to write to all his counterparts stating that the situation has now transformed into a ‘States Vs Union’ and it was time for all of them to “speak in a single voice.”

“It is my request that as Chief Ministers we speak in a single voice and urge the Government of India to take charge and responsibility of the vaccination drive, the way it was happening in the early part of the year. The decision of giving the states a larger say in the vaccination procurement was something that was unwarranted,” Jagan noted in the letter.

He said the need of the hour was to increase vaccine availability through any source.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Himachal Pradesh reports 995 new Covid cases, 23 deaths

COVID-19 claimed 23 lives and infected 995 people more in Himachal Pradesh, raising the death toll due to the disease to 3,217 and the total infection tally to 1,93,137 in the state, an official said on Thursday.

According to the state Health Department, there are 11,057 active cases in Himachal Pradesh. The recovery count rose to 1,78,840 with 1,890 patients getting cured of the disease in the past 24 hours, the official said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Maharashtra reports 15,229 COVID-19 cases, 307 deaths

Maharashtra on Thursday reported 15,229 new COVID-19 cases and 307 fatalities, taking its caseload to 57,91,413 and death toll to 97,394, the health department said. As many as 25,617 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, pushing the number of recovered cases to 54,86,206.

The state now has 2,04,974 active cases, it said. The recovery rate marginally improved to 94.73 percent from 94.54 percent the day before. The fatality rate stood at 1.68 percent.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Uttar Pradesh reports 108 more deaths, 1,268 new cases

Uttar Pradesh reported 108 fresh Covid-related fatalities taking the death toll to 20,895 while the infection tally touched 16,95,212 with 1,268 new cases, officials said on Thursday.

Of the 108 deaths, 10 were reported from Kanpur Nagar, nine from Gorakhpur, eight from Amroha, seven from Allahabad, six each from Lucknow, Meerut, and Jhansi among others, a health department release issued said.

Lucknow reported 75 new cases, followed by Saharanpur (66), Muzaffarnagar (65), and Meerut (55) among others, the release said. In the last 24 hours, as many as 4,260 COVID-19 patients in the state have been discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 16,48,771. The recovery rate now stands at 97.1 percent.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Serum Institute seeks indemnity from liability, says report

Domestic vaccine major Serum Institute of India is seeking indemnity from liability for its COVID vaccines, saying that the rules should be same for all the companies, according to unnamed sources, reports PTI.

The development comes after requests for indemnity and exemption from bridging trials have been made by Pfizer and Moderna to the Indian government. “Rules should be the same for everyone,” a source at the Serum Institute said.

Earlier, Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla had said that vaccine manufacturers need to have protection against all lawsuits for their vaccines, especially during a pandemic.

In December 2020, speaking at an event, he said, “we need to have the government indemnify manufacturers, especially vaccine manufacturers, against all lawsuits. In fact, COVAX and other countries have already started talking about that”.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Not right time to talk about vaccine supply abroad, says MEA

As the demand for COVID-19 vaccines rises globally, India on Thursday said it would not be right to talk about the supply of jabs to other countries at the moment as it is currently ramping up domestic production for its own inoculation programme.

Elaborating the steps taken by the government to augment vaccine supply for domestic use, Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi said India remains engaged with US vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna as part of this effort.

“I just responded to a series of questions on what steps the government has taken to ensure adequate supply of vaccines from abroad. I think you will appreciate that against this background, it would not be right to talk about supply of vaccines abroad just now as we have repeatedly conveyed,” he said.

“We are currently purposing domestic vaccine production for our own vaccination programme,” Bagchi.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Kerala adds 18,853 new COVID cases, 153 deaths

Kerala registered 18,853 fresh coronavirus infections on Thursday taking the total number of those affected by the deadly virus to 25.54 lakh. The toll rose to 9,375 with 153 more deaths. Health Minister Veena George said 1.23 lakh samples were tested in the last 24 hours and the positivity rate was 15.22 per cent.

Till now, 2.01 crore samples have been tested. Among the districts, Malappuram recorded the highest number of cases at 2,448, followed by Kollam with 2,272 and Palakkad 2,201. “Out of those found infected today, 110 reached the state from outside while 17,521 contracted the disease through their contacts.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

In U-turn, Maharashtra govt says no relaxation of lockdown-like curbs anywhere yet

The Maharashtra government on Thursday evening clarified that the existing restrictions on account of COVID-19 have not been lifted anywhere, contrary to the announcement made by minister Vijay Wadettiwar, reports PTI.

Relaxation of restrictions as per the situation in different areas is only under consideration and no decision has been taken, a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. Wadettiwar, minister for Disaster Management, later said only “in principle” approval to phasing out of restrictions was given, but no decision has been taken.

He had told reporters in the afternoon that restrictions would be lifted in 18 out of 36 districts in the state where the positivity rate is five per cent or less and the occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals is less than 25 percent from Friday.

He had held a press conference after a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority. The CMO statement that followed said the government has not lifted lockdown-like curbs as COVID-19has not been controlled completely yet.

“The coronavirus spread is serious in some rural areas….The curbs have not been completely lifted in the state,” the statement added.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Goa records 572 new COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths

Goa’s coronavirus caseload rose to 1,57,847 after 572 persons tested positive for the infection on Thursday, an official from the state health department said. At least 1,695 patients were discharged from hospitals, while 17 died of the infection during the day, the official said.

With this, the count of recoveries reached 1,45,437 and the toll stood at 2,710, he said, adding that there are currently 9,700 active cases in the state, the official said. With the addition of 3,331 swab samples tested during the day, the total number of tests conducted in the state has gone up to 8,34,703, he added.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

I&B ministry asks entertainment channels to promote national helpline numbers

Amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Thursday asked all private entertainment channels to make people aware of the six national helplines created by the Union government.

The ministry has advised the channels to promote the national helpline numbers of the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare (1075), Women and Child Development Ministry (1098), and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences for psychological support (08046110007).

The other three helplines hich are to be promoted are the AYUSH Covid counselling number (14443), MyGovWhatsApp Helpdesk (9013151515) and that of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for senior citizens (14567), according to the I&B ministry advisory.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

PM interacts with Class-12 students, asks them to utilise time productively post exam cancellation

In a surprise interaction with class-12 students and their parents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked them to utilise their time in a productive and creative manner following the cancellation of their exams and said they should never feel stressed about any examination.

Joining the online interaction organised by the Education Ministry, Modi asked them how they are feeling following the cancellation of the board exams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and what are they planning to do now.

The prime minister asked the students whether they will watch IPL, Champion’s League, or wait for the Olympics. He also told students that they should always remember the mantra of ‘health is wealth’ and enquired what do they do to remain physically fit.

Several students shared their experiences with the prime minister about how the announcement brought relief for them and ended a long spell of uncertainty.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Centre responsible if PM CARES Fund ventilators cause deaths: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court has said that it would be the responsibility of the Centre in case any faulty ventilators supplied by a Gujarat company through the PM CARES Fund caused the deaths of Covid-19 patients, reports  News18

In its verdict on Wednesday, a division bench comprising Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice BU Debadwar had said that they would “not permit experimentation of ventilators which have undergone major repairs in treating the patients, since this would be causing a risk/health hazard to the patients, and unfortunately, the use of such ventilators may cause loss of life, which must be averted".

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Andhra Pradesh reports 11,421 new cases, 16,223 recoveries in last 24 hrs

Andhra Pradesh’s overall Covid-19 tally increased to 17,28,577 as 11,421 cases were added afresh in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday. While 16,223 patients had recovered from the infection, another 81 succumbed, the latest bulletin said. The total recoveries now rose to 15,78,452 and deaths to 11,213.

The active cases decreased to 1,38,912. Again, East Godavari district logged the highest number of 2,308 fresh cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, while Chittoor added 1,658 and Anantapuramu 1,041. West Godavari added 996, Krishna 841 and Visakhapatnam 814, while seven other districts registered less than 700 cases each.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

UNICEF helping India with oxygen generation plants, concentrators

The UNICEF said nine oxygen plants are being installed and over 4,500 oxygen concentrators and 200 RT-PCR testing machines have been or are being delivered to India under a global collaboration in the fight against the coronavirus. In a statement, the UNICEF said it is helping to install nine oxygen generating plants in hospitals in Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.

A total of 26 oxygen generating plants are to be installed in hospitals in Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Meghalaya and Tripura, it said. The UN arm said it is also delivering 4,650 life-saving oxygen concentrators procured as part of Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) for the immediate response in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal and other states.

Another 3,000 oxygen concentrators previously procured are in use in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In addition, 512 high flow nasal cannulas have been delivered to 10 states.

-PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Second wave has affected momentum of recovery: CEA

Chief Economic Adviser KV Subramanian on Thursday said the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the momentum of economic recovery, reports ANI. “We expect a recovery in the economy from July,” says Subramanian. “Now, States have started removing restrictions and if we speedup vaccination our economy will start recovering.” He reiterates that India will be able to vaccinate all citizens by December. “If we vaccinate people in three shifts each day, then, we can vaccinate 1 crore people in a day. This is definitely ambitious, but not impossible,” says Subramanian.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Plea in HC to stay Covaxin trial on children

A plea has been moved in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on phase II/III clinical trials of the Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine on the 2-18 age group. The application was moved in a petition filed in May for setting aside the permission granted by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to Bharat Biotech for conducting trials of its vaccine on children.

The petitioner, Sanjeev Kumar, has claimed in his application that while the issue was pending before the high court with notices issued to the Centre and Bharat Biotech, the trials have commenced from June. He has said, in his plea, that since the court did not grant stay when it heard the matter, the government was going ahead with the trials.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Mumbai’s Dharavi reports one new COVID-19 case

For the first time in four months, Mumbai’s Dharavi area reported just one new coronavirus case on Thursday, a senior official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The slum-dominated area had not detected a single case on Wednesday, he said.

The tally of infections in Dharavi stands at 6,829, of which 6,451 patients have recovered from the disease and 19 are undergoing treatment, the official said. Dharavi became a hotspot of coronavirus infection at the start of April, with 99 cases reported on 8 April alone. Spread over 2.5 sq km, Dharavi is considered to be Asia’s largest slum, with a population of over 6.5 lakh

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Modi reviews India’s preparations for Tokyo Olympics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that every need of our sportspersons, from vaccination to training facilities, must be fulfilled as a top priority as he chaired a meeting to review India’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, which will start in 50 days.

Modi said sports is at the heart of our national character and that our youths are creating a strong and vibrant culture of sports, adding that he would be connecting with India’s Olympics contingent through a video conference in July to encourage them and wish them on behalf of all Indians, according to a statement.

He said the wishes of 135 crore Indians will be with our youngsters participating in the Olympics, noting that for every sportsperson shining on the global stage, a thousand more will be inspired to take up sports.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

COVID-19 cases reduce to half, 1.5 cr vaccine given for free, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal’s COVID-19 cases have decreased to half, state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday. She added that 1.4 crore Covid vaccines have been given free of cost by the state government. “The other states have imposed lockdown but we have only enforced certain restrictions, and people are supporting us,” Banerjee added.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Karnataka extends lockdown till 14 June

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday said that the lockdown in the state has been extended till 14 June. He also that his government will administer more than 60 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccine in June, reports PTI. “With 1.41 Crore doses administered so far, Karnataka will complete 2 crore jabs by the end of this month,” tweets Yediyurappa. “I thank PM Narendra Modi Ji for his continued support towards Karnataka’s vaccination drive.”

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Delhi recorded 1,044 mucormycosis cases, 89 deaths till Wednesday: Satyendar Jain

Delhi recorded 1,044 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus and 89 deaths due to the infection till Wednesday, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said. Noting that the states must be provided the required number of Covid vaccines, the minister said the vaccine policy of the Centre needs to be reworked.

“I think it is high time to rethink this policy (Centre’s vaccination policy) and rework it. When a state is ready to vaccinate its citizens then that state must get the required number of vaccines,” he said. While stressing that the Delhi government is fully prepared to vaccinate its entire population, he said they are not getting the required doses to do so.

“We are buying these vaccines and giving them for free to the citizens but due to the policy of the central government, we are not getting the required amount of vaccines.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Centre asks states/UTs to issue ration cards to most vulnerable, poor people

The Centre has issued an advisory to all states and UTs to identify and issue ration cards to the most vulnerable and economically weaker sections of society to ensure their coverage under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The Centre’s directive comes amid various reports that the poorest of the poor are in dire need of foodgrains but they are unable to procure ration cards.

Addressing a virtual press conference, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said states and Union territories have the scope to add coverage of 1.97 crores under the NFSA. As many as 14 states have completed a 100 percent coverage quota.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food ministry said it is important to ensure coverage of all eligible identified persons from the most vulnerable and economically weakest sections of the population under the NFSA.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Maharashtra announces five-level plan for ‘unlock’; no local trains in Mumbai for now

In level-1 of the unlock plan – that would come into effect with districts with less than 5 percent positivity and below 25 percent oxygen bed occupancy – restaurants, malls, shops, public places and tourist destinations would be allowed to operate, CNBCTV18 reported citing the government order.

Public and private offices, theatres, shootings, gatherings, social entertainment, marriages, gym, salon, beauty parlours would also be permitted in the districts placed under level-1, the reports added.

Under level-2 of the unlock strategy, Section 144 which bars the assembly of four or more persons in public would remain applicable in districts with higher caseload.

The restaurants, gyms, salons and beauty parlours would be allowed to operate only at 50 percent occupancy, whereas, restrictions on number of people in marriage events would continue to remain imposed. Local trains would not be allowed in districts falling under level-2. As per reports, Mumbai falls under this category.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Delhi reports 487 Covid cases, lowest in over 2.5 months

Delhi recorded 487 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest daily count in over two-and-a-half months and 45 deaths on Friday, while the positivity rate slumped to 0.61 percent, according to data shared by the health department in Delhi. This is the first time the daily death count has gone below the 50-mark since April 11 when the tally was 48.

According to the latest health bulletin, these new fatalities pushed the death toll from COVID-19 here to 24,447. On 16 March, Delhi had recorded 425 cases and on 17 March, the tally was 536, according to official data.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Maharashtra announces five levels for unlock

As per CNN-News18, the Maharashtra government announces 5 levels for unlocking. It has also lifted lockdown in 18 districts from 4 June. These are districts with a positivity of less than 5 percent and bed occupancy less than 25 percent, reports The Hindu.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Maharashtra 12th board exam cancelled

Maharashtra government on Thursday decided to cancel the Class 12 board examination in view of coronavirus crisis in the state. The state government’s decision to scrap final examinations comes two days after Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cancelled their 12th board exams.

A proposal was sent to the disaster management authority regarding the state board exams for Class 12 students, as per news agency PTI. Amid the pandemic which has hit Maharashtra hard, students’ health remains the top priority for the state government, school education minister Varsha Gaikwad had said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Five senior pilots of Air India died in May due to COVID-19

Five senior pilots of Air India have died in May due to COVID-19, senior officials said on Thursday, adding that the carrier has started vaccinating its employees from 15 May onwards after a delay due to the non-availability of vaccines. These five senior pilots were Captain Harsh Tiwary, Captain G P S Gill, Captain Prasad Karmakar, Captain Sandeep Rana and Captain Amitesh Prasad, they said.

Meanwhile, private carriers such as Vistara and AirAsia India have given at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to around 99 per cent and 96 per cent of their eligible employees respectively as of now. People who are being treated for COVID-19 or have recently recovered from COVID-19 are not considered eligible for vaccination.

Air India had on 4 May said it would vaccinate all its employees against COVID-19 by the month-end as a pilots’ body had demanded inoculation of the flying crew on priority basis citing risk to their lives from the deadly infection.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Centre issues guidelines for care of children affected by COVID-19

The government has come out with guidelines for the care and protection of the children affected by COVID-19 and fixed responsibilities for the states, district magistrates, police, Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies, reports PTI.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of all the states and Union territories, Women and Child Development Ministry Secretary Ram Mohan Mishra on Wednesday said in order to streamline and facilitate the actions being taken, the major responsibilities of the primary duty holders have been enlisted to ensure the best interest of children during the pandemic.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, said 9,346 children have lost at least one of the parents to the deadly virus, including over 1,700 who have lost both their parents, according to data received from the states.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Assamese litterateur Lakshmi Nandan Bora dies of COVID-19 complications

Eminent Assamese litterateur Lakshminandan Bora died on Thursday due to post-COVID complications at a private hospital in Guwahati, doctors said.
He was 89 and survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.

Bora, a Padma Shri awardee, had tested COVID-positive on May 20 and was admitted to the hospital. He had recovered from COVID-19 but had comorbidities and was undergoing treatment.

An author of more than 60 books, mostly novels and short story collections, Bora served as the faculty member of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. He retired in 1992 as the head of the Department of Physics and Agrometeorology.

His first novel ‘‘Gonga Silonir Pakhi’’ was translated into eleven languages and was made into a film by noted Assamese filmmaker Padum Barua in 1976.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Bihar govt announces Vaccine Express in urban areas

After successful launch of “Vaccine Express” in the rural areas, the Bihar government on Thursday rolled out similar vaccination vans for the urban areas with an aim to inoculate maximum number of people at their doorsteps.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar flagged off ‘Vaccine Express’ in the presence of Deputy Chief ministers-Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi- and Health minister Mangal Pandey here at a function.

The chief minister lauded the health department for the inoovative idea of plying vaccine vans in the cities to speed up inoculation of larger section of the population. Similar vans were run for the rural areas of the state in May end.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Bombay HC dismisses PIL challenging state’s decision to cancel Class 10 exams

The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a PIL that challenged the state’s decision to cancel SSC (class 10) board examination, according to News18. Bombay HC CJ Dipankar Dutta while hearing the matter questioned, who is going to take responsibility for what is going to happen to the children, if they go ahead with the exams.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Eight jail inmates entitled for COVID-related parole prefer to stay back in prison

Eight inmates in the Mysuru Central Jail have preferred to stay back in their cells, declining parole facility offered to decongest the prison premises. According to jail officials, the “social stigma” attached to those imprisoned along with fear of contracting the coronavirus in the outside world were key reasons behind their refusal to avail the opportunity.

“There were 83 prisoners who are entitled for parole for 90 days in our jail but eight have said they will not go home. Rest others availed the benefit,” Jail superintendent K C Divyashree told PTI. “There are various reasons for not availing the parole benefits. One is the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Also, there are issues related to acceptance in the family and society,” she explained.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

HC issues summons to Ramdev after DMA plea

The Delhi High Court issued summons to yoga guru Ramdev on a suit by Delhi Medical Association (DMA) seeking to restrain him from disseminating false information about Patanjali’s Coronil kit that it is a cure for COVID-19.

The high court orally asked the counsel for Ramdev to tell him not to make any provocative statement till the next date of hearing on 13 July and respond to the suit.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Centre issues guidelines for care of children affected by COVID-19

The government has come out with guidelines for the care and protection of the children affected by COVID-19 and fixed responsibilities for the states, district magistrates, police, Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, said 9,346 children have lost at least one of the parents to the deadly virus, including over 1,700 who have lost both their parents, according to data received from the states.

The states need to identify the children in distress through outreach and surveys and prepare a database with a profile of each child, along with the details of their specific needs and requirements, and ensure that the data is uploaded on the Track Child portal.

States and Union territories have been directed to temporarily allocate child care institutions (CCIs) to house those children whose parents have been unwell due to COVID-19 and provide necessary support to them, in case the extended family is not available to take care of them.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Talk with Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson are on: MEA

Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said the government is in touch with major vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna about sourcing and possible local manufacturing of their vaccines in India. “We have also helped expedite the introduction of Sputnik-V vaccines,” he said.