Coronavirus News Updates: Maharashtra sees 13,659 COVID-19 cases, lowest since 10 March

Coronavirus LIVE updates Karnataka

Karnataka logs 13,800 infections, 365 deaths

Karnataka has reported 13,800 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 365 deaths thereby taking the total infected and fatalities so far to 26,83,314 and 31,260, respectively, the Health Department said on Saturday.

The State has 2,68,275 active cases whereas the total number of people discharged stood at 23,83,758 with the recovery of 25,346 people.

The tally of infections in the Bengaluru Urban district remained the highest in the State with 2,686 infections and 206 fatalities. The city has so far reported 11,80,182 infections and 14,688 deaths.

There were 1,24,807 active cases. Mysuru district remained as the second major COVID-19 hotspot with 1,155 infections and 22 fatalities.

PTI

Coronavirus LIVE News Updates Delhi

Delhi govt ready to make advance payment for vaccines, AAP tells Centre

Faced with a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, AAP leader and MLA Atishi said on Saturday that the Delhi government is ready to make “advance payment” for jabs in order to restart inoculation of the 18-44 age group.

It has been almost two weeks since the AAP government in Delhi stopped administering COVID-19 vaccines to the 18-44 age group people due to the unavailability of doses.

“Today, both Covishield and COVAXIN are available in private hospitals (for age group 18-44) but not in government-run hospitals and centres. The vaccine companies tell us that it is the Central Government which decides who gets how much vaccine and when,” said Atishi during the vaccine bulletin.

“So, we request the Central Government to provide us with vaccines for the 18-plus (group) like they have been providing for the 45-plus. Delhi is even ready to make advance payment for the vaccines,” she added.

According to official data released by the Delhi government, the National Capital administered 40,605 vaccine doses on Friday, out of which the first and second doses were given to 35,547 and 5,058 people, respectively.

The present stock of COVID-19 vaccines in Delhi for the 45-plus category is over 6 lakh. This is after the state government received 25,000 COVAXIN doses on Friday evening, she said.

“COVAXIN was not available in any of the government vaccination centres today. The fresh doses will be distributed to the centres today and will be available for people above 45 years from tomorrow onwards. We are administering COVAXIN to only those who are due for the second dose,” said Atishi.

While the stock of Covishield (5,76,000 doses) is good enough to last for 28 days, the stock of COVAXIN (approximately 32,000 doses) would last for two days only, she noted.

The Centre has said it will provide a fresh supply of vaccines for the said age group on June 10. So far, 55,92,936 people, including 12 lakh who have received both doses, have been vaccinated in Delhi.

— PTI

Coronavirus LIVE News Updates Goa

Goa extends lockdown till 14 June, allows essential shops to open till 3 pm

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced the extension of COVID-19-induced lockdown in the state till 14 June, but allowed shops selling essential items to remain open longer.

“Our Government has decided to extend the state level curfew till 7 am of 14 June 2021. Timings for essential shops as defined will be increased to 7 am to 3 pm,” the Goa chief minister said on Twitter.

“In addition, shops or stores related to house or building repairs, monsoon preparedness, or rain protection and stationery items will be allowed to open,” he added.

In addition, shops/stores related to house/building repairs, monsoon preparedness, or rain protection & stationary items will be allowed to open. 2/2

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus LIVE News Updates Uttar Pradesh

UP records 1,092 fresh COVID-19 cases, 120 deaths

Uttar Pradesh reported 1,092 fresh COVID-19 cases and 120 deaths on Saturday, taking the toll from the virus in the state to 21,151, while the infection tally to 16,97,352, officials said on Saturday.

Of the 120 latest fatalities, 12 have been reported from Gorakhpur, 11 from Ayodhya, nine from Saharanpur, eight from Bareilly, seven from Lucknow and Shahjahanpur, among others, according to a health department bulletin.

Of the 1,092 fresh coronavirus cases, 57 have been reported from Lucknow, 46 from Muzaffarnagar, 45 from Varanasi, 43 from Gautam Budhnagar and 40 from Meerut and Agra, among others, it said.

In the past 24 hours, as many as 4,346 COVID-19 patients in the state have recovered from the disease, and have been discharged, taking the total number of patients discharged to 16,56,763 in the state.

The recovery rate in the state has now come to 97.6 per cent. The count of active cases in the state came down to under 20,000 for the first time since its peak in April-end. It stood at 19,438, of which, 11,178 are in home isolation, a government spokesman said.

— PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Himachal Pradesh extends curfew till 14 June, cancels Class 12 board exams

The ‘Corona curfew’ in Himachal Pradesh has been extended till 6am on 14 June, reports news agency ANI. The Class 12 board exams in the state have also been cancelled in view of the coronavirus situation.

'Corona curfew' extended till 6am of 14th June in Himachal Pradesh

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus Live News Update

Delhi Metro services to resume from Monday with 50% capacity, says DMRC

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Saturday said metro services in the National Capital will resume with 50 percent seating capacity from Monday (7 June)." On Monday, only half of the available trains will be inducted into service with a frequency ranging from approx. 5 to 15 min on different Lines. The number of trains will be inducted in full strength in a graded manner by Wednesday and thereafter, services will be available as per normal frequency which was available before the lockdown," the DMRC said.

“Entry at stations will continue to be regulated through identified gates as was the practice earlier. DMRC is also writing to authorities for maintenance of law & order outside stations to handle the extra rush as services resume from Monday in the ongoing pandemic scenario.” it added.

On Monday, only half of the available trains will be inducted into service with a frequency ranging from approx. 5 to 15 min on different Lines.

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus Live News Update

1,784 Mucormycosis cases recorded in Karnataka, says minister

Karnataka has reported 1,784 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus while 62 have recovered and 111 have died, said State Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar
on Saturday. The state government is mulling including black fungus treatment under Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme for the people falling under the low income and lower middle- class group, he said.

PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Increase vaccine allocation for TN, BJP MLA urges Harsh Vardhan

BJP Mahila Morch president and MLA Vanathi Srinivasan has requested Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to increase the COVID vaccines allocated to Tamil Nadu and open the integrated vaccine facility at Chenglepet.   In a letter handed over personally to the Minister in Delhi, a copy of which was released to the media on Friday, Vanathi expressed thanks for allotting 42.58 lakh doses of vaccine to Tamil Nadu under the latest allocation.

 Tamil Nadu, being an industrial state with rising number of virus cases, is in need of more number of vaccines to vaccinate the workers, Vanathi, representing Coimbatore South Assembly constituency, said.

PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Mumbai’s Dharavi records three new COVID-19 cases

The G/North Ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday reported eight new coronavirus cases, said reports . While Dharavi and Dadar reported three new cases each, Mahim registered two cases.  The total number of cases in Dharavi climbed to 6,833 while the active cases stand at 22.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Health Secy hold review meet 

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary V  Irai Anbu on Saturday directed various department officials and the district Collectors to work towards making the State a COVID-free one.  Irai Anbu, along with Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, held a review meeting in Coimbatore on the steps taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the districts of Coimbatore and Tirupur. 

Though there was a high incidence of the virus in Coimbatore, the visit of Chief Minister M K Stalin twice to the district and steps taken resulted in bringing down the positive cases, Anbu said. He directed the officials to monitor the availability beds with oxygen facility, medicines and vaccines, those home quarantined and setting up of new care centres, an official release said.

PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

All felines in Ranchi Zoo put to COVID-19 test post tiger Shiva’s death

All 21 felines in Jharkhand’s Ranchi Zoo  — right from 1.3 years tiger cubs to 14-year-old Mallik — are undergoing COVID-19 test to rule out chances of infection in the wake of death of tiger Shiva down with fever for three days, an official said Saturday.

 The decision for mandatory COVID test of felines was taken amid coronavirus scare though 10-year old tiger Shiva, who died Thursday night tested negative in RAT but results of RT-PCR are awaited.

PTI

Russia only country which is ready to transfer anti-COVID vaccine technology, claims Vladimir Putin

As Indian companies get ready to manufacture Russian-made Sputnik V anti-COVID vaccine to meet the staggering demand in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia is the only country in the world which is ready to transfer technology and to expand production abroad, and noted that the vaccine was being sold in 66 countries.

The remarks by the Russian president came a day after the officials in New Delhi said that Serum Institute of India has received a preliminary approval from the country’s drug regulator for manufacturing of Sputnik V. Already Indian pharma company, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, in April, 2021 received the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Russian vaccine. Also Panacea Biotec in collaboration with Russian sovereign wealth fund RDIF has begun the production of Sputnik V vaccine in India.

PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

COVID positive Milkha Singh is “stable and better”: PGIMER

 Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, who is battling COVID-19 in the ICU of PGIMER in Chnadigarh, is stable and his condition is “better than yesterday”, the hospital said on Saturday. The 91-year-old, who is being closely monitored by a team of three doctors, is still on oxygen support.

“Flying Sikh Shri Milkha Singh ji, being unwell due to COVID-19, has been admitted in the ICU of NHE Block of PGIMER since 3 June. On the basis of all the medical parameters today, that is 5 June, his condition has been observed better than yesterday,” Prof Ashok Kumar, official spokesperson of PGIMER, said in a statement. The top hospital had on Friday said that Milkha was “better and more stable”.

Milkha’s family also issued a statement through a spokesperson that the iconic athlete “is stable and doing well, but still on oxygen.” “Please ignore the rumours floating around. It’s false news,” the spokesperson said, referring to some false social media posts which has been doing the rounds since Saturday morning.

PTI

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Dr Reddy’s agrees to supply vaccines to Mumbai, says mayor

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has agreed to supply COVID-19 vaccine doses to Mumbai and it is hoped that these will be received in July-August, the city’s Mayor Kishori Pednekar told news agency ANI. “We had a discussion with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and they have agreed to give vaccines to us. These discussions will complete by June end. We’re working on this and we’re hoping to get doses in July-August,” the news agency quoted her saying.

Districts of Maharashtra have been put under 5 levels as per positivity rate and bed occupancy. Mumbai is under level 3 so local trains will continue to operate for essential services workers. The final decision on lifting the curbs will be taken by the district administration, Pednekar said.

We had a discussion with Dr Reddy's Laboratories & they have agreed to give vaccines to us. These discussions will complete by June end. We're working on this & we're hoping to get doses in July-August: Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Bengal issuing vaccination certificates to 18-44 age group with CM’s photo: Report

The West Bengal government is issuing certificates of COVID-19 vaccination to the people in the age group of 18-44 sponsored by the state with the photogrtaph of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. An official said Saturday this is being done since the state government has been procuring vaccines directly from the manufacturers from its own resources. While beneficiaries of 45 plus are getting certificates of vaccination with the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as in other parts of the country, but those falling in the 18-44 age bracket have photographs of Mamata Banerjee. “The government has started procuring vaccines directly from the manufacturers and arranging for inoculating the pouplation. That is the reason it has been decided to use photograph of the CM on the certificates,” a senior state official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Delhi registers 414 new cases, 60 deaths

Delhi recorded 414 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in over two-and-a-half months, and 60 fatalities on Saturday, while the positivity rate dipped to 0.53 percent, according to data shared by the health department. As per the latest health bulletin, these new fatalities pushed the toll from COVID-19 to 24,557.

On Friday, the city had recorded 523 cases, 50 deaths and a positivity rate of 0.68 percent. On Thursday, Delhi had recorded 487 cases of COVID-19 and 45 fatalities. This was the first time that the daily death count had gone below the 50-mark since 11 April when the tally was 48. The positivity rate on Thursday was 0.61 percent.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

China approves emergency use of Sinovac’s vaccine for children aged 3 to 17

China has authorised the emergency use of Sinovac Biotech Ltd.’s COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac for those aged between 3 and 17 year,  making it the world’s first major country to grant approvals for children aged three and above, reports CNBCTV18.

According to the report, Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials have shown that the Sinovac vaccine is safe and effective for children as well as adults. “The same vaccine, the same amount, and the same process can be used for children aged between 3 and 17,” Sinovac’s CEO Yin Weidong told state broadcaster China Central Television on Friday. When Sinovac’s vaccine will be offered to younger groups depends on health authorities formulating China’s inoculation strategies, Yin was quoted as saying.

Disbursement of COVID-19 relief package underway, says Karnataka CM

The disbursement of cash assistance under the COVID-19 relief package has begun and a portal launched to register the beneficiaries, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday.

The chief minister was referring to a Rs 1,750-crore relief package announced in two instalments to benefit various sections of the society to overcome the financial hardship during the restrictions to contain COVID-19 pandemic, which is in effect since 27 April and is likely to end on 14 June.

MEA asks students studying abroad but stuck in India to contact ministry

The Ministry of External Affairs has asked Indian students studying abroad, but stuck in India due to COVID-19 restrictions to get in touch with the ministry.

Several students who have already enrolled for courses in foreign universities have been unable to leave the country to attend classes due to a shortage of vaccines. The extension of gaps between Covishield doses, and the lack of WHO approval for COVAXIN has also affected many.

The MEA said that students facing difficulties can send their coordinates, that is, email ID and mobile number to OIA-II Division at Emails : us.oia2@mea.gov.in and so1oia2@mea.gov.in for assistance.

📢 Kind Attention!

Indian students studying abroad but stuck in India due to COVID-19 and related issues can get in touch with the OIA-II Division at @MEAIndia.

➡️ Visit https://t.co/unwYpe26PN to know more!

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2021

Brazil authorises ‘controlled’ import, usage of COVAXIN

National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) of Brazil has authorised the import of Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN vaccine for distribution and use under controlled conditions, ANI reported.

The approval, however, limits the number of doses that can be imported to the country and their usage. The Brazilian authority also authorised Russia’s Sputnik V with same conditions, reports said. The decision was taken late Friday night.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

IMA says 646 doctors died in second COVID-19 wave

The Indian Medical Association on Saturday said that a total of 646 doctors have died in the second wave of COVID-19 as of 5 June 2021.

A total of 646 doctors died in the second wave of COVID-19: Indian Medical Association pic.twitter.com/RF5Yw355zw

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Milkha Singh’s health is stable, says PGIMER doctor

Former Indian sprinter Milkha Singh’s condition has improved, all his parameters are stable, said Dr Jagat Ram, PGIMER Director, Chandigarh.

“He’s being monitored by our team. On 3 June he was admitted to ICU due to dipping O2 level. On 20 May, he had tested positive for COVID19,” he said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Seventeen booked for holding religious procession amid pandemic

Madhya Pradesh police have registered a case against 17 persons for taking out ‘Kalash Yatra’, a religious procession at a village in Ratlam district of the state, in which hundreds of Hindu devotees reportedly took part in violation of the COVID-19 norms, an official said on Saturday.

The district administration suspended a patwari (local revenue officer) and panchayat secretary, while a police official was also line-attached (removed from field duty), other officials said.

A purported video of the procession that was held on 3 June shows several women holding ‘kalash’ (pots containing sacred water) on their heads along with hundreds of people participating in it has gone viral on social media.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Telangana govt to start 19 diagnostic centres

The Telangana government on Saturday announced that it will start 19 diagnostics centres at major government hospitals in the state. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao asked officials to start them from 7 June.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Bombay HC Nagpur Bench to pronounce verdict on MUHS exams soon

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court is set to pronounce its order on the PIL challenging the Maharashtra University of Health Science’s (MUHS) decision to conduct offline exams for over 40,000 medical students from 10 June.

“…However, as a safety measure it would be advisable for each examinee to have conducted an RT-PCR test upon himself and only in case he finds such test is negative he may sit for the examination,” the court said in the hearing on Saturday.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Daily positivity rate dips to 5.7%: Centre

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said that the weekly positivity rate is currently at 6.89 percent, while the daily positivity rate has declined to 5.78 percent, maintaining a trend of being less than 10 percent for 12 consecutive days.

A steady continuous increase in the national recovery rate has taken it to 93.38 percent on Saturday.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Another COVID-19 death in Ladakh, 122 new cases

Ladakh recorded 122 fresh COVID-19 cases, raising the tally to 19,076, while the death toll rose to 194 with one more person succumbing to the infection, officials said on Saturday. The fresh fatality linked to COVID-19 was reported from Leh. With this, the district has so far accounted for 140 coronavirus-related deaths, followed by 54 in Kargil district, the officials said.

Leh district recorded 115 of the new cases while the remaining seven were registered in Kargil district. The number of active cases in the Union Territory now stands at 1,354  1153 in Leh and 201 in Kargil.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Goa govt seeks data on students orphaned due to COVID-19

The Goa education department on Saturday directed its affiliated academic institutes in the state to provide information about the students, who have lost either one or both their parents due to COVID-19.

Director of education, D R Bhagat, issued a circular to this effect, asking the institutes to compile a data of such students and submit it to the department by Monday. “Due to the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases recently, many children have been orphaned or have lost either of their parents due to the pandemic,” the circular said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

‘Profiteering during emergency indecent’: Mayawati on Punjab govt’s alleged sale of vaccines

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday hit out at the Congress-led Punjab government for allegedly selling COVID-19 vaccine doses procured under the state quota to private hospitals at a higher rate, saying profiteering during an emergency is indecent and inhuman.

Her remarks came a day after the Punjab government asked private hospitals to return all vaccine stock meant for the 18-44 age group and ordered a probe into the allegations. The recalled vaccine doses will be administered free to this age group by the government, state Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said.

In a tweet in Hindi, Mayawati said, “The Congress government of Punjab is buying COVID-19 vaccines at Rs 400 (each) from the Centre and selling them to private hospitals at Rs 1,060 instead of passing on the benefits to the people through government hospitals. Profiteering during an emergency is indecent, inhuman, condemnable and extremely saddening.”

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Puducherry sees further dip in COVID-19 cases

Puducherry witnessed a further dip in the daily cases of coronavirus recorded in the last twenty-four hours ending 10 am on Saturday. With 613 fresh cases, the total infection count reached 1,08,439.

The number of new cases were detected at the end of testing of 9,086 samples in all the four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, Director of Health S Mohan Kumar said.

Puducherry region alone accounted for 470 new cases followed by 106 in Karaikal, 21 in Yanam and 16 in Mahe region.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Private offices to function with 50% staff in Delhi, says Kejriwal

As the Delhi government is seeking to relax lockdown curbs that were enforced to stop the second wave of COVID-19, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a slew of new rules.

 “The private offices will be allowed to function with 50 percent staff. Group A staff of government offices will be allowed to function with 100 percent, group B with 50 percent staff.”

“Lockdown will continue with more relaxation in other activities. Markets, malls to be opened on odd-even basis,” he said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Vaccination must for traders above the age of 45 to open shops in Bulandshahr: Police

Bulandshahr Police has announced that traders above 45 years of age will not be allowed to open their shops if they have not been vaccinated against coronavirus. SHO Dixit Kumar Tyagi and Circle Officer Suresh Kumar were part of the police team that made the announcement in Khurja city on Friday night.

The police team appealed to the people to get vaccinated and strictly follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. It said everyone must continue to follow COVID-19 norms when the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus is lifted.

In a video recorded by locals, the police personnel can be seen saying traders and shopkeepers above 45 years of age will not be allowed to open their establishments if they have not been vaccinated.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Delhi Metro to operate at 50% capacity

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Delhi Metro will resume services with 50 percent capacity as the lockdown curbs are relaxed in the National Capital.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Oxygen storage, production capacity to be boosted in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal

“With an expected third wave of COVID-19, 420 tonnes of oxygen storage capacity is being prepared. We have also spoken to Indraprastha Gas limited to produce 150 tones of oxygen,” Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday

“Two genome sequencing labs to be set up for detection of new variants, if any,” he added.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Arvind Kejriwal addresses press conference on new restrictions and curbs in Delhi:

कोरोना के ख़िलाफ़ दिल्ली ने अपनी लड़ाई पूरी मज़बूती के साथ लड़ी है, अब वक्त अर्थव्यवस्था को धीरे-धीरे फिर से पटरी पर लाने का है | Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/mXPiI8iALx

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus Live News Updates

RBI cut GDP growth forecast from 10.5% to 9.5% due to 2nd wave: NITI Aayog

“The RBI cut the GDP growth forecast for FY22 to 9.5 percent from 10.5 percent, due to the impact of the second wave, which is going to impact our economy in the first quarter.

“Economy will recover below than expected in the first quarter. Our economy will grow at a pace of 10%-10.5% in FY22,” the NITI Aayog said on Saturday.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

COVID-19 curbs to be eased in Maharashtra from 7 June as per positivity rate

The Maharashtra government has announced a five-level plan to relax the coronavirus-induced restrictions in the state, based on the weekly positivity rate and the occupancy of oxygen beds. A notification to this effect was issued late on Friday night.

The order will come into effect from June 7 based on the positivity rate and the oxygen bed occupancy level of June 3, it said. The lockdown-like restrictions in the state were imposed in April this year when the second wave of the pandemic intensified.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till 14 June

The Tamil Nadu government extended the COVID-19 lockdown in the state till 14 June. However, restrictions have been eased in 27 districts, reports said.

Eleven districts — Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai — will continue to see stringent curbs.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

US lawmakers urge Joe Biden to ensure equitable administration of vaccines globally

Over 40 American lawmakers have written to US President Joe Biden, urging him to take all the necessary measures to ensure equitable administration of COVID-19 vaccines across the world.

The effort was on Friday led by two Indian-American lawmakers Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi along with Congressman Tom Malinowski. Other signatories include Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna.

In the letter, Members of Congress called on the White House to take five specific measures  from financial investments to diplomatic efforts  to achieve the goal of a rapid and equitable vaccination programme while mitigating COVID-19 globally.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Kejriwal likely to announce more relaxations in Delhi today

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to announce further lockdown relaxations from the next week amid a dip in the city’s daily COVID-19 case count, officials said on Saturday. Kejriwal, who is scheduled to address a press conference later in the day, is also expected to announce the steps to deal with the possible third wave of the coronavirus.

An official said the government may allow markets and other activities from 7 June, as the COVID-19 situation has gradually been improving. Last week, the government had allowed manufacturing and construction activities in Delhi beginning phased unlock process. The lockdown was imposed in Delhi on 19 April.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

‘Appalled by intimidation tactics against junior doctors in Madhya Pradesh’: IMA

The Indian Medical Association on Saturday issued a statement saying that it is “appalled to learn of intimidation tactics by Madhya Pradesh bureaucracy against junior doctors in the state, in view of their demands for bed reservation, workplace security and stipend hike”.

“IMA stands with them and demands that the state government look into their cause,” the statement added.

Indian Medical Association (HQs) is appalled to learn of intimidation tactics by state bureaucracy to Junior doctors of Madhya Pradesh in view of their demands for bed reservation, workplace security & stipend hike. IMA stands with them & demands State to look into their cause. pic.twitter.com/Gd6ss6lOQR

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2021

Coronavirus Live News Updates

SII gets DCGI’s nod to manufacture Sputnik V in India for test, analysis

The DCGI has granted permission to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine in India for examination, test and analysis with certain conditions, official sources said on Friday.

The Pune-based firm has collaborated with Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow in Russia for developing Sputnik V at its licensed Hadapsar facility.  

“The DCGI has granted permission to the Serum Institute to manufacture the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine in India for examination, test and analysis at its licensed Hadapsar facility with certain conditions,” an official source said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Amartya Sen slams Centre over COVID-19 management

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen criticised the Centre’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as “confused” and said that the government was “focused on taking credit for its actions, rather than working to restrict the spread of COVID-19, resulting in schizophrenia that led to massive troubles”, The Times of India reported.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

1,179 villages in Maharashtra’s Nanded district become coronavirus-free

Out 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 4 June there is not a single positive case there, the district official said.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

3,380 new COVID-19 deaths today

India also reported 3,380 new deaths and 1,97,894 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.

Total cases: 2,86,94,879
Total discharges: 2,67,95,549 
Toll: 3,44,082
Active cases: 15,55,248

Coronavirus Live News Updates

India reports 1.20 lakh new COVID-19 reports today

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said that 1,20,529 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the country in the last 24 hours. This is the lowest daily tally of cases since 7 April, when 1.15 lakh cases were reported.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

COVID-19 recoveries breach 19-lakh mark in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has registered 22,651 new COVID-19 infections and 463 deaths, pushing the total infected so far to 21,95,402 and the fatalities to 26,128, said the Health Department on Friday. Recoveries remained high with 33,646 people walking out of health care institutions totalling 19,00,306 till date, leaving 2,68,968 active infections, a medical bulletin said.

The State reported its highest daily infection at 36,184 cases on May 21 and since then it has been reporting downward trend. On 30 May, the state saw its daily cases dropping below the 30,000-mark.

Coronavirus Live News Updates

Centre gives 9,750 more vials of amphotericin-B to Karnataka

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers D V Sadananda Gowda on Friday said an additional 9,750 vials of amphotericin-B medicines have been allocated to Karnataka. The drug is vital for treating black fungus infection, which has emerged as a post-COVID-19 complication among those with high diabetes.

“Additional 9,750 vials of amphotericin-B have been allocated to Karnataka today. Inclusive of today’s allocation, a total of 22,460 vials of the drug have been allocated to the State till now,” Gowda tweeted.

Acknowledging the receipt of amphotericin-B from the Centre, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa told reporters in Hubballi that the drug would be dispatched to the districts based on the requirement.