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Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: Movement of people will remain prohibited across the country from 9 pm to 5 am during the ongoing ‘Unlock 1’, but there are no restrictions on plying of buses with passengers and goods trucks on highways, the Centre said on Friday. In a communication to all states, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said that the purpose of restricting movement of individuals during the night was primarily intended at preventing congregation of people and ensuring social distancing, but not hampering supply chains and logistics. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued guidelines prohibiting movement of people between 9 pm and 5 am throughout the country, except for essential activities, he said. Maharashtra social justice minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus “but he is asymptomatic and his condition is stable”, News18 reported, quoting state health minister Rajesh Tope. The Railways on Friday said that state governments had demanded 63 more Shramik Special trains after Railway Board chairman wrote to them on requirement of such trains. Of 63 Shramik Special trains demanded by states, maximum 32 will depart from Kerala while destinations of 23 will be West Bengal, the statement said, The Supreme Court pulled up Delhi government over a dip in coronavirus testing at a time when cases are rising faster than before in the National Capital. The Supreme Court has issued a notice to LNJP Hospital in Delhi and said, “There is a problem in Delhi, testing has gone down from 7,000 to 5,000 per day. Why has your testing gone down? Tell us why testing numbers are reducing in Delhi.” “We have also noticed that the Delhi government itself has admitted that the number of tests has gone down in June as compared to the month of May.” The BCCI on Friday called off Indian cricket team’s short tour of Zimbabwe in August due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was on expected lines after Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Thursday that India’s limited overs tour in June-July was postponed indefinitely. Lockdown will not be extended in Maharashtra, said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday. He further appealed to the people not to crowd anywhere and follow the instructions given by the government. The Supreme Court on Friday observed that it is the duty of every state government to increase COVID-19 testing and not keep people waiting for long to get tested. “We are shocked by the deplorable manner in which many hospitals have handled COVID-19 patients’ bodies, said the apex court. Six more people, including three Army personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the total number of cases in the state to 67, a health department official said on Friday. Three Army men tested positive for the disease in Singchung sub-division of West Kameng district on Thursday night, while two persons were detected with the infection in Changlang and one in Longding, he said. The Supreme Court took serious view of alleged non-payment of salary and non-arrangement of proper accommodation for doctors and healthcare staff for quarantine purposes. The apex court also expressed anguish over allegations about doctors being not paid full salary for months both in private and government hospitals. The top court said, “this issue should not engage court’s and it should be settled by government.” The plea filed in the Supreme Court to ensure a cosmetic artificial approach will be taken up on Wednesday next week. The Supreme Court on Friday observed that no coercive action be taken against private firms, which have failed to pay full wages to employees during lockdown period. The apex court was hearing the matter on on MHA notification on full wages during 54-day lockdown. There are a total of 2,028 coronavirus positive cases in Mumbai Police and a total of 82 in the State Reserve Police Force, ANI reported on Friday. The former US diplomat Nicholas Burns commented on the leadership of President Donald Trump on dealing with the COVID-19 situation. He said, “Trump does not believe in cooperation, he wants to go alone.” Crises like COVID-19 are existential, the pandemic will reshape world relations, said Ambassador Nicholas Burns on Friday to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The United States, India and China need to put differences aside to combat a crisis like COVID-19, but that has not happened, said former US diplomat Nicholas Burns to Rahul Gandhi on Friday. India registered over 2.97 lakh COVID-19 infections on Friday after 10,956 new cases were registered in the past 24 hours, said health ministry. After 396 deaths were reported in a day, the COVID-19 toll in the nation reached 8,498. India reported a record jump of 10,956 new COVID-19 cases and 396 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the latest data released by the health ministry on Friday. For the second consecutive day this week, Gujarat reported more than 500 positive cases making it nearly 2,000 cases since Monday. Over 22,000 infections registered in the state on Thursday. Morbi district which has reported only six cases so far, reported its first death. Thirty-eight deaths were reported across the state on Thursday. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance on reports of improper handling of COVID-19 patients and undignified disposal of victims’ bodies, Live Law reported. The case is listed for hearing on Friday at 10.30 am before the bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and MR Shah. Maharashtra reported surge in COVID-19 infections and fatalities on Thursday, adding 3,607 cases and 152 deaths, both highest for a day so far. The state’s total caseload touched 97,648 — overtaking Canada’s tally of 97,472— and is inching close to the one lakh mark. Its toll is 3,590. The nationwide COVID-19 case count neared 2.9 lakh on Thursday with a record one-day increase of nearly 10,000 cases taking the count of infections detected this month to almost one lakh.
Media reports
said that India now has the fourth-highest number of cases in the world according to a tally maintained by Worldometer. The country is now behind only the US, Brazil and Russia. The government, however, said the virus infection has not entered the community transmission stage as the lockdown and containment measures prevented a rapid spread. The country’s first sero-survey on COVID-19 spread has found that lockdown and containment measures were successful in preventing a rapid rise in infections, but a large proportion of the population still remains susceptible, the government said. On the positive side, the number of recoveries exceeded the active cases for the second consecutive day. The ministry said the number of active cases stood at 1,37,448 as of 8 AM on Thursday, as against more than 1.4 lakh having recovered so far – giving a recovery rate of over 49.2 per cent. [caption id=“attachment_8453291” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]
Representational image. PTI[/caption] India not in community transmission stage, says ICMR At a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the country, the government officials said India is definitely not in the community transmission stage of COVID-19 spread. Citing results from the country’s first sero-survey on the COVID-19 spread, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava said that the people living in urban areas face higher risks than those in the rural parts of the country, while the risk is even higher for those in the urban slums. The survey also found a high infection rate within the containment zones, but the fatality rate was found to be very low overall at just 0.08 per cent. Since a large proportion of the population is susceptible and infection can spread, non-pharmacological interventions such as physical distancing, use of face mask or cover, hand hygiene, cough etiquette must be followed strictly, Bhargava said. Urban slums are highly vulnerable for spread of the infection and local lockdown measures therefore need to continue, he said. The elderly people, children below 10 years of age, people with chronic morbidities and pregnant women also fall in the high-risk category, he said. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, the countries that have seen community transmission of the virus infection include the US, the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey, France, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Philippines.
Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra cross 1 lakh with 3,493 new infections reported today; toll stands at 3,717
Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Movement of people will remain prohibited across the country from 9 pm to 5 am during the ongoing ‘Unlock 1’, but there are no restrictions on plying of buses with passengers and goods trucks on highways, the Centre said on Friday.
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Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates
Baramulla schools conduct online classes
Schools’ management with the help of District Administration in Baramulla is conducting online classes for students as schools are closed due to #COVID19. Chief Education Officer, Baramulla says,“Over 40,000 students are benefitting from these online classes, amid lockdown.”
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
Public health workers fighting virus face growing threats
Emily Brown was stretched thin. As the director of the Rio Grande County Public Health Department in rural Colorado, she was working 12- and 14-hour days, struggling to respond to the pandemic with only five full-time employees for more than 11,000 residents. Case counts were rising.
She was already at odds with county commissioners, who were pushing to loosen public health restrictions in late May, against her advice. She had previously clashed with them over data releases and control and had haggled over a variance regarding reopening businesses.
But she reasoned that standing up for public health principles was worth it, even if she risked losing the job that allowed her to live close to her hometown and help her parents with their farm.
In the battle against COVID-19, public health workers spread across states, cities and small towns make up an invisible army on the front lines. But that army, which has suffered neglect for decades, is under assault when it’s needed most.
Officials who usually work behind the scenes managing tasks like immunizations and water quality inspections have found themselves center stage. Elected officials and members of the public who are frustrated with the lockdowns and safety restrictions have at times turned public health workers into politicized punching bags, battering them with countless angry calls and even physical threats.
(AP)
Coromavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple to be shut from 13 June
The Guruvayur Devaswom in Kerala’s Trivandrum said, “Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple to be closed for devotees from 13 June, as nearby areas Chavakkad and Vadakkekad have been declared as containment zones. Weddings scheduled for tomorrow allowed; other wedding bookings, darshan passes stand cancelled.”
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
49 new COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand today
49 new coronavirus cases were reported in Jharkhand on Friday, taking the total tally in the state to 1,656, the state health department said.Of the total cases, 963 were active cases was 963 while 685 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals. Death toll stands at eight.
Coronavirus in Punjab latest Updates
Punjab govt approves weekend, holiday restrictions
The Punjab government said that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday approved detailed weekend and holiday restriction guidelines, as per which inter-district movement will be barred except for e-pass holders and only shops dealing with essential commodities and services will be allowed to operate on all days of week.
“Shops dealing with essential commodities/services shall remain open on all days till 7 pm. Restaurants (for takeaway/home delivery only) & liquor shops will also continue to be open till 8 pm on all days,” the statement said.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
NHRC notices to Centre, IRDA over ‘refusal’ on mediclaim policies
The National Human Rights Commission has sent notices to Union Finance Ministry and the IRDA over a “report which alleged that healthcare workers”,who are at the maximum risk to contract COVID-19, are facing refusals or demands for high premiums on buying group mediclaim policies, officials said on Friday.
Reportedly, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and “the government offers little clarity” on insurance cover for private healthcare professionals doing non-COVID work, there is a scramble to find the right insurance policy. It is further stated that while most doctors have a medical cover, the struggle has mainly been about ensuring protection for their staffers, the NHRC said.
(PTI)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
2,137 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi today
Delhi on Friday recorded its highest single-day jump in coronavirus cases after 2,137 new infections were reported on Friday.
The Delhi government said that 71 deaths and 667 recovered/migrated/discharged today. Total number of positive cases here stands at 36,824, including 1214 deaths and 13,398 recovered/migrated/discharged.
Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates
WHO says COVID-19 vaccine should be shared ‘as public good’
The World Health Organisation on Friday said that vaccines for the coronavirus “should be made available as a global public good,” News18 quoted WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as saying,
This is “to ensure everyone had fair access to any life-saving products that are developed”, he added.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Modi-CMs meetings schedule:
The Indian Express reported the schedule of the meetings scheduled between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all chief ministers on 16 and 17 June:
“On 16 June, the Prime Minister is likely to interact with CMs of 21 states and UTs:
Punjab, Assam, Kerala, U’khand, J’khand, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Himachal, Chandigarh, Goa, Manipur, Nagaland, Ladakh, Puducherry, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadar Nagar Haveli & Dama Diu, Sikkim & Lakshadweep
On 17 June, the Prime Minister is likely to interact with CMs of rest 15 states and UTs:
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu And Kashmir, Telangana and Odisha,” the report said.
Coronavirus in Manipur Latest Updates
9 new COVID-19 cases in Manipur today
Nineteen people tested positive for coronavirus in Manipur in the last 24 hours, taking the state tally to 385, officials said.
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Updates
202 new COVID-19 cases in MP today
202 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh on Friday.Additionally, 159 people recovered as the number of cases in the state rose to 10,443 including 440 deaths and 7,201 recovered.
Coronavirus in Meghalaya Latest Updates
COVID patient gives birth to healthy baby in Shillong
“A Covid-19 positive woman has given birth to a healthy baby at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital in Shillong, Meghalaya on Friday,” News18 reported.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand Latest Updates
Uttarakhand reports 32 COVID-19 cases
32 new coronavirus cases and two deaths were reported in Uttarakhand on Friday, meanwhile, 52 people recovered. The total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 1724, including 21 deaths and 947 discharged: Uttarakhand State Control Room COVID-19
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases in India cross 3 lakh mark
India confirmed 3,01,579 coronavirus cases after 3,296 new cases and 52 deaths were reported as of 8:20 pm on Friday, News18 reported. “The tally includes 1,43,259 active cases, 1,49,767 recovered/cured and the death toll stands at 8,553,” News18 reported.
Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates
Taiwan donates masks to Mizoram, says report
The Taiwan government reportedly donated coronavirus masks worth Rs 45 lakh to the Mizoram government to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Minister Zoramthanga was quoted as saying by News18.
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates
156 new COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir today
Jammu and Kashmir reported 156 new coronavirus cases, of which 88 are in the Jammu Division and 68 in Kashmir Division, reports said. The UT now has 4730 cases including 2591 active cases and 2086 recovered cases. Death toll is now at 53.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Narendra Modi to hold meeting with CMs on 16, 17 June
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold meetings with all chief ministers via video conferencing on 16 and 17th June, News18 reported.
Coronavirus in Delhi latest Updates
Delhi Police ASI succumbs to COVID-19
An Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, who was admitted to a hospital after testing positive for coronavirus passed away due to the illness on Friday, the Delhi Police said.
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Manish Sisodia pays tribute to ’teachers of Delhi’
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
AIIMS says ‘very low’ number of cases in India in relation to population
“Although India has gone up to the fourth rank as far as coronavirus cases are concerned, we’ve to accept that it is because of the population we have. If we look at no. of cases per million population, we still are very low in terms of number of cases,” Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Director said on Friday.
Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Updates
Bengal records 476 new COVID-19 cases
476 new cases of coronavirus and nine deaths were reported in West Bengal on Friday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 10,244 and the toll is now at 451. The tally includes 4,206 discharges and 5,587 active cases.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
3,493 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra today
COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra inched closer to one lakh with 3,493 new cases in the state on Friday.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
AIIMS director says Delhi govt must increase testing capacity
AIIMS director Randeep Guleria, on Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s statement regarding the expected number of corornavirus cases in the National Capital, said, “Number of cases in Delhi may not be as high as predicted but still whatever be the number, we have to increase our capacity so that we can manage increasing load that healthcare system is going to get.”
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Around 1.5 lakh tests being conducted everyday, says AIIMS director
“We were testing only around 10,000-20,000 people per day about 6 weeks ago, now we are testing almost 1.5 lakh people per day and this number is going up every day,” said Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Director.
Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh Latest Updates
Chhattisgarh govt to begin admission process in schools from July
Chhattisgarh minister Ravindra Choubey said that the state government has decided that the admission process in schools and colleges will commence in Chhattisgarh from July.
“A penalty of Rs 100 will be levied if any person is found not wearing a face mask in Chhattisgarh,” he added.
Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates
99 new COVID-19 cases in Punjab today
99 new cases of coronavirus and 4 deaths were reported in Punjab on Friday. The total number of cases in the state is now 2,986 including 641 active cases and 2282 recovered patients. The toll stands at 63, the state health department said.
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi LG forms committee for COVID-19 management
Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Friday formed a committee for the management of the coronavirus pandemic in the National Capital.
“The expert committee will give their opinion on various challenges being faced in Delhi in prevention of spread of coronavirus and measures to ramp up medical infrastructure. The committee would also provide examples from global and national best practices,” News18 reported.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre issues SOPs for offices
Ministry of Health releases guidelines on preventive measures to be followed at offices, to contain the spread of #COVID19; a temperature of 24-30 degree Celsius to be maintained and there should be a relative humidity of 40-70%
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
78 new COVID-19 cases in Kerala
Kerala on Friday reported 78 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of active cases to 1,303 in the state. Additionally, one death and 32 recoveries were also reported in the state.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
No restrictions on passenger buses, goods trucks, says MHA
Movement of people will remain prohibited across the country from 9 pm to 5 am during the ongoing ‘Unlock 1’, but there are no restrictions on plying of buses with passengers and goods trucks on highways, the Centre said on Friday.
In a communication to all states, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said that the purpose of restricting movement of individuals during the night was primarily intended at preventing congregation of people and ensuring social distancing, but not hampering supply chains and logistics.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued guidelines prohibiting movement of people between 9 pm and 5 am throughout the country, except for essential activities, he said.
(PTI)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
1,982 new COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu today
Tamil Nadu reported 1,982 new coronavirus cases and 18 deaths were recorded on Friday, taking the total number of infections in the state to 40,698 and the toll to 367.
Coronavirus in Goa Latest Updates
COVID-19 testing centre set up in Goa village
The Goa health department on Friday said that a :mass COVID-19 testing facility" had been set up at Chimbel village, near Panaji, “after six positive cases were reported from there in the last two days,” News18 reported.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre says COVID-19 recovery rate rises to 49.47%
The Centre said the recovery rate of coronavirus patients in India has increased to 49.47 percent and a total of 1,47,194 individuals have recovered from the deadly disease in the country, News18 reported..
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Doubling time improves to 17.4 days in India, says Centre
The Union health ministry on Friday said that the doubling time of coronavirus cases in India has improved to 17.4 days currently from 15.4 days a couple of weeks ago.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre mulling adding ‘sudden loss of taste, smell’ as criteria for COVID-19 test
]The government is mulling to include sudden loss of taste and smell as a criteria for COVID-19 testing, sources said on Friday as India witnessed a surge in coronavirus instances with total caseload racing towards the three lakh mark.
The issue was discussed in a meeting of the National Task Force on COVID-19 held last Sunday, but no consensus on the matter has been reached yet. “At the meeting, some members suggested including loss of taste and smell in the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 testing stating that several patients have been reporting symptoms like these,” a source in the health ministry said.
(PTI)
Coronavirus in Puducherry Latest Updates
Puducherry CM says COVID-19 spreading in UT from Tamil Nadu
Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy was quoted by News18 on Friday as saying that the coronavirus pandemic is spreading in the Union Territory “largely due to the arrival of people from Chennai and other districts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu for health care facilities and other purposes.”
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MHA tells states to allow vehicular movement on highways during night curfew
The MHA on Friday wrote to state governments /UTs over the night curfew, and said, “some states/UTs are also restricting movement of persons and vehicles plying on highways between 9 pm and 5 am, which is hindering their smooth passage. Clarifies curfew only to prevent congregations and to ensure social distancing,” The Times of India reported.
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre likely to withdraw use of Azithromycin
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is likely to withdraw the use of Azithromycin, which was being administered to severely ill COVID-19 patients in the ICUs, from the combination of Azithromycin and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Dhananjay Munde tests COVID-19 positive, say reports
Maharashtra social justice minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus “but he is asymptomatic and his condition is stable”, News18 reported, quoting state health minister Rajesh Tope.
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
COVID-19 containment zones in Guwahati rise to 36
Reports said that the number of coronavirus containment zones in Assam’s Guwahati stand at 36 as of Friday and are “increasing rapidly”, The Indian Express reported.
