Coronavirus News Updates: Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally increases by 9,798, toll by 198; Mumbai adds 758 new cases

Coronavirus LIVE News Updates

Delhi’s COVID-19 positivity rate at 0.22%; active caseload drops to 2,445

The National Capital on Friday recorded 165 fresh coronavirus infections and 14 more deaths due to the disease while, the positivity rate stood at 0.22 percent, according to health department data.

With the new cases, Delhi’s caseload has increased to 14,32,033. The latest fatalities pushed the toll to 24,900, the bulletin stated.

The number of active cases dropped to 2,444 on Friday from 2,554 the day before, it said.

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Maharashtra adds 9,798 new cases, 198 deaths

Maharashtra on Friday recorded 9,798 new COVID-19 cases, pushing its cumulative tally to 59,54,508, while 198 fatalities raised the toll to 1,16,674, the health department said.

Of 198 deaths, 133 occurred in the last 48 hours while 65 took place in the last week. Another 450 deaths which had taken place earlier were added after reconciliation of records. The toll, overall, went up by 648.

Discharged patients outnumbered new infections. With 14,347 patients getting discharged during the day, the total of recoveries reached 56,99,983. There are 1,34,747 active cases in the state.

The recovery rate of Maharashtra is now 95.73 percent, while fatality rate is 1.96 percent.

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Citizens let down guard, leading to second wave: Health minister

While the coronavirus mutated and evolved, citizens let their guard down and all this led to a spike in cases, snowballing into the second wave, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday.

Vardhan made these remarks after distributing masks among frontline workers at the Union Health Ministry.

He stated that although this gesture was symbolic, people from various industries and corporate houses, and political leaders holding office could start a virtuous chain by emulating the exercise, eventually amplifying the Jan Andolan to protect everyone from COVID-19 through Covid appropriate behaviour, a Health Ministry statement said.

The aim of the exercise in the Health Ministry is to distribute masks to all employees, starting with the frontline workers and eventually moving to other staff.

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Max Corporate Services moves court against FIR for ‘fake COVID-19 tests’

Max Corporate Services on Friday moved the Uttarakhand High Court challenging an FIR filed against it for allegedly conducting nearly one lakh fake COVID-19 tests during the Kumbh Mela.

The company pleaded before the court in Nanital that it had no role to play in any fake tests conducted during the religious congregation, the firm’s counsel Kartikeya Hari Gupta said.

In the petition to the court, the company said it was merely a service provider with no actual role in generating fake COVID-19 test reports as it only signed a contract with the ICMR-accredited laboratories namely Nalwa Laboratories Private Limited and Dr Lal Chandani Labs Limited to conduct the tests.

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Zydus Cadila may apply for emergency use approval of its vaccine in 7-8 days, says report

Pharmaceutical major Zydus Cadila is expected to apply for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for ZyCoV-D vaccine in the next seven-eight days, ANI reported on Friday.

It will be the second indigenous COVID-19 vaccine to apply for such authorisation. It will also be the world’s first DNA vaccine against coronavirus.

“Zydus Cadila has told the government that it could apply for emergency use authorisation for ZyCoV-D vaccine in the next seven-eight days,” a government source said.

ZyCoV-D is a DNA COVID-19 vaccine, which carries the genetic code for that part of a virus that triggers the immune system of the body.

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Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 don’t lower sperm count, says study

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against CVOID-19 do not harm male fertility, suggests a new study published in the journal JAMA.

The study, which involved 45 healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 50 years, found that the levels of sperm in participants remained at healthy levels after they got two doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, reports said.

Why is it relevant?

The potential negative impact of COVID-19 vaccines on male fertility has been one of the many reasons for vaccine hesitancy across the world. This study by the University of Miami in the US brings much-needed clarity into the topic and is likely to help persuade more male members of society in getting vaccinated.

“One of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy is the potential negative effect on fertility,” the authors of the study from the University of Miami in the US noted.

“Because reproductive toxicity was not evaluated in the clinical trials and SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with decreases in sperm parameters, we assessed sperm parameters before and after mRNA vaccine administration, they said.

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West Bengal board releases evaluation criteria for Class 10, 12 exams

After the cancellation of Class 10 and 12 exams in West Bengal owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the two boards on Friday announced the evaluation criteria and said that the results will be announced in July.

President of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Kalyanmoy Ganguly told a joint press meet that for the 2021 class 10 results a 50:50 formula will be followed. As per the formula the candidates mark in Class 9 annual examination and the internal assessment in Class 10 will be taken into consideration.

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Delta variant of COVID-19 becoming globally dominant: WHO

The World Health Organization’s chief scientist Friday said that the Delta variant of COVID-19, first identified in India, is becoming the globally dominant variant of the disease.

“The Delta variant is well on its way to becoming the dominant variant globally because of its increased transmissability,” WHO’s Soumya Swaminathan told in a news conference.

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Kerala adds 11,361 new cases, 90 deaths

Kerala on Friday reported 11,361 fresh coronavirus infections and 90 more fatalities, taking the caseload to 27,85,304 and the toll to 11,833.

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 past 24 hours and the test positivity rate (TPR) was 10.22 percent.

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Apollo Hospitals begins vaccinating employees with Sputnik V

Health care major Apollo  Hospitals has commenced the pilot launch of Sputnik V vaccine by administering it to its employees from Friday in its efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.  In a press release, the hospital said it directly procures the vaccines from the Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad, and it would be available at Rs 1,145 per dose, including administrative charges at the vaccination centre.

PTI

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Uttarakhand constitutes SIT to probe ‘fake testing’ during Kumbh Mela

Uttarakhand government constitutes a 7-member SIT to investigate the alleged fake COVID testing during Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, reports news agency ANI.

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Ensure safety of healthcare workers, strictly implement Epidemic Disease Act, Centre tells states

The Union Health Ministry has urged all states and Union Territories to review in detail and ensure prompt steps for the safety and wellbeing of healthcare workers while strictly implementing the amended Epidemic Disease Act. Healthcare workers are the most crucial resources in COVID-19 management on all fronts, said Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal in a letter to additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and health secretaries of all states and Union Territories.

On multiple occasions, the Health Ministry has highlighted the need to ensure the safety and security of healthcare workers at their living and working premises, he said.

PTI

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Andhra Pradesh reports 6,341 new cases, 57 deaths 

Andhra Pradesh reports 6341 new #COVID19 cases, 57 deaths and 8,486 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

Active cases 67,629
Case tally 18,39,243 pic.twitter.com/eKMsF3ET3k

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2021

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India had 2,412 active Mycormycosis cases on 16 June, says Mansukh Mandviya

India has 27,142 active cases of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, and if the number rises, the country is prepared to increase the availability of Amphotericin B and other drugs used in the treatment of the disease, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday.   “On 16 June, 2021, active cases of Mucormycosis were 27,142. Even in the future, if cases of Black fungus increases , India is prepared to have more than sufficient availability of Amphotericin B and other drugs which are required to treat patients of Mucormycosis,” Mandaviya said in a tweet.

The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers noted that domestic production of Amphotericin B has already gone up five folds so far. “Domestic production of Liposomal Amphotericin B was just 62,000 vials in April, 2021 and now it is expected to cross 3.75 lakh vials in June, 2021,” Mandaviya said.

PTI

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Nominate nodal officer, technical persons for installation of oxygen plants in 41 facilities, Centre tells Punjab

The Centre has asked the Punjab government to expedite the process of nominating a nodal officer and two technical persons for timely installation and commissioning of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants in 41 medical facilities in the state. In a letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra said there should also be a state-level nodal officer for coordinating with central agencies.

The PSA oxygen generation plants are to be installed in 41 health facilities in Punjab. Based on requests from states and Union Territories, a total of 1,215 PSA plants have been sanctioned under the PM-Cares Fund in the country, Mishra said.

PTI

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Four arrested for conducting unauthorised vaccination drive in Mumbai housing society

Mumbai police have arrested four persons for allegedly duping a housing society in suburban Kandivali by organising a COVID-19 vaccination camp fraudulently in the name of a private hospital, an official said on Friday.

In a complaint submitted to the police, the Hiranandani Heritage Residents Welfare Association (HHRWA) had said that a vaccination camp was arranged by the residential complex on 30 May. But later it found that the Co-WIN portal did not have any record of the people who participated and they received certificates in the name of different hospitals. The members had also expressed fears that the vaccine administered could be spurious.

Read full report here

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Assam cancels Class 10, 12 board exams

Assam government cancels Class 10, 12 board exams, say reports.According to new agency ANI, the announcement was made by State Education Minister Ranoj Pegu.

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Decision on lockdown relaxations in Karnataka tomorrow, says Yediyurappa

A decision on further relaxing lockdown restrictions in the state after 21 June when the current curbs come to an end, will be taken on Saturday,

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said  “The situation is improving. There is also a possibility of a third wave in the future, but despite that we will have to give some relaxations. We will discuss it at a meeting tomorrow evening, and take a decision,” Yediyurappa told reporters on Friday.

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Spain to lift outdoor mask requirement from 26 June, says PM

Spain will lift the legal requirement to wear a mask outdoors from June 26, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday.  “This will be the last weekend when we wear masks outdoors because next 26 June we won’t have to wear masks in outdoor public spaces,” he said. The lifting is to be approved at a special Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Sanchez said on a visit to Barcelona. 

“In the coming days, our streets and our faces will regain their normal appearance,” he said, hailing it as a “very important decision from a social point of view”.  “We will start to enjoy life in the street without wearing a mask.”

AFP

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17 children died of COVID-19 in Meghalaya, says state health minister

 Over 5,000 children in the age group of 0-14 years have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, 17 of which succumbed to the infection, Health Minister A L Hek said on Friday. He also stated that none of the newborns delivered by COVID-positive mothers were found to have got infected. “So far, 5,101 children in the age group of 0-14 years were diagnosed with the disease. Seventeen children died of the infection since last year,” the minister said.

Noting that the third wave of the pandemic, which is likely to strike later this year, may pose a greater threat to the children, as suggested by experts, Hek said the state government is making necessary preparations in anticipation.

PTI

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Kolhapur continues to have highest positivity rate in Maharashtra

Kolhapur continues to have the highest COVID-19 positivity rate in Maharashtra as per the weekly figures shared by the state government, while neighbouring Sindhudurg has topped in terms of the oxygen bed occupancy.  While Kolhapur’s positivity rate is 13.77 percent, Sindhudurg’s oxygen bed occupancy is 55.20 percent. These figures were shared by the Maharashtra disaster management department.   Last week, the positivity rate of Kolhapur was 15.85 percent and its oxygen bed occupancy was 67.41 percent – both highest in the state at that time. 

PTI

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Tripura extends curfew till 25 June 

 The Tripura government has extended the COVID curfew from 2 pm to 5 am in Agartala and 11 other urban local bodies (ULBs) till 25 June, a notification

said. However, night curfew from 6 pm to 5 am has been lifted from the villages. The restrictions, first imposed on 16 May and then repeatedly extended, were scheduled to end on 18 June.

PTI

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Delta variant  infections jump 33,630 in a week, make up 99% COVID-19 cases in UK

The number of Delta variant infections has jumped by 33,630 in a week to hit a total of 75,953 in the UK, with the highly transmissible variant first identified in India now making up 99 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the country, health officials said on Friday. Public Health England (PHE), which has been tracking variant of concerns (VOCs) on a weekly basis, said its data shows an increased risk of hospitalisation with Delta VOC compared to Alpha  the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England.

PTI

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Almost 85% decline in daily new cases since peak on 7 May, says health ministry

According to the news agency PTI, the health ministry said a decline of almost 85 percent has been noted in daily new cases of coronavirus since highest reported peak on 7 May. A decline of 30percent in average daily new cases in last week, the health ministry said. About 78.6 percent decline in total active COVID-19 cases recorded since peak on 10 May, it said.

#IndiaFightsCorona:

📍Continued decline in average daily new cases.

✅ A decline of 30% in average daily new cases in last week.

- JS, @MoHFW_INDIA #Unite2FightCorona #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/ofApzdLxjx

— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) June 18, 2021

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Studies show chances of hospitalization after vaccination 75-80% less, says VK Paul

Studies show that chances of hospitalization are 75-80% less in vaccinated individuals. The possibility of such individuals needing oxygen support is around 8% and the risk of ICU admission is only 6% in vaccinated persons: Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog pic.twitter.com/RMmgNFOrAV

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2021

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Recovery rate now 96%, says health ministry

“We’ve been witnessing an increase in the recovery rate since 3 May, which now stands at 96 percent. We are seeing a downward trend in active cases. Between 11 to 17June, the overall positivity case was less than 5% in 513 districts,” news agency ANI quotes Join Secretary in the Union health Ministry, Lav Aggarwal as saying.

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Delhi records 165 new cases, 14 deaths

Delhi logs 165 new coronavirus cases, 260 recoveries, and 14 deaths in 24 hours. Total number of cases climbs to 14,32,033 and toll mounts to 24,900, according to the state government’s health bulletin. There are 2,445 active cases and positivity rate in 0.22 percent.

Delhi reports 165 new COVID cases, 260 recoveries, and 14 deaths in the past 24 hours

Active cases: 2,445
Total recoveries: 14,04,688
Death toll: 24,900 pic.twitter.com/3u9QqRIvVG

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2021

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Bharat Biotech’s pre-submission meeting for Covaxin EUL with WHO on 23 June 

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s pre-submission meeting has been scheduled on 23 June for evaluation of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of its indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. Earlier, last month, Bharat Biotech had informed that it had submitted 90 percent of the documentation needed for WHO’s EUL. The rest of the documents are to be submitted this month. The External Affairs Ministry is coordinating with Bharat Biotech to secure WHO recognition for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Covaxin is among three vaccines currently being administered in India against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Delhi L-G, CM discuss action plan to tackle possible 3rd wave

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting on Friday to discuss the roadmap and an action plan to tackle a possible third wave of COVID-19 infection in the national capital.  A state-level task force, more healthcare staff and a special task force for treatment or children are part of the Delhi government’s action plan to deal with the third wave, the chief minister’s office tweeted.

During the meeting, the L-G and the chief minister also discussed bed and oxygen management, availability of drugs and COVID-19 vaccination, the CMO said.

PTI

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UK reports 33,630 cases of Delta COVID-19 variant in one week, says report

The UK reported 33,630 new cases of the Delta coronavirus variant in the last week, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 75,953, Reuters reported.

The Delta variant now comprises 91 percent of sequenced cases, the report quoted Public Health England as saying, adding that vaccines were still effective at providing protection against risk of hospitalisation.

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Shops to shut by 5 pm every day in Andhra Pradesh

In its announcement of the extension of the COVID-19 curfew in the state, the Andhra Pradesh government said all shops and business establishments will have to be shut by 5 pm every day.

In the East Godavari district, which has still been reporting a higher number of COVID-19 cases, the curfew will be in force from 2 pm to 6 am. Government offices will function normally from 21 June and staff have been directed to attend work as per the revised schedule.

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Singapore to ease restrictions from 21 June

Singapore on Friday announced easing of COVID-19 restrictions from June 21, including allowing a group of two to dine-in, as it evaluates its reopening plans amid a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the country.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the group size of two will also apply to indoor fitness activities with masks off, according to a media report.

Work-from-home will continue to remain the default, even as Singapore transitions through Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) in the coming weeks, the Ministry said.

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Delhi HC concerned over COVID norm violation in markets

The Delhi High Court Friday took cognisance of the violation of COVID-19 protocols in various markets in the national capital and observed that such breaches will only hasten the third wave of coronavirus which cannot be permitted at all. The high court said if this behaviour of flouting COVID-19 norms continues “we will be in a great trouble”. “God help us if all that happens”.

It asked the Centre and Delhi government to take strict measures, sensitise shopkeepers and hold meetings with markets and vendors associations in this regard.

A vacation bench of justices Navin Chawla and Asha Menon took note of certain photographs sent to one of the high court judges on WhatsApp by an AIIMS doctor showing scant regard for COVID-19 protocols by street vendors in markets.

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Need to remain cautious against COVID-19: Harsh Vardhan

People started taking COVID appropriate behaviour lightly after vaccine was rolled out. We have started the unlocking process but we still need to remain cautious and follow all COVID protocols properly: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan

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COVID-19 curfew extended till 30 June in Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government extended the COVID-19 curfew in the state till 30 June. It also announced a four-hour additional relaxation in timings.

Accordingly, curfew will be in force from 6 pm to 6 am daily from 21 June, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said. The curfew, first imposed on 5 May this year, has so far been extended in phases till 30 June.

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When is the third COVID-19 wave likely to hit India?

The Centre and healthcare experts and policy-makers are gearing up for a likely third wave of COVID-19 by conducting serosurveys and ramping up healthcare infrastructure across the country. While a study conducted by AIIMS and the World Health Organization said that children will not be disproportionately affected by the third wave, questions abound about when the authorities are anticipating the next upward curve in cases.

Reports quoted the NITI Aayog as saying that indications of a third COVID-19 wave are “inevitable” and that it might hit between September to October 2021. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, the state COVID-19 task force is preparing to be able to tackle a third wave as early as in 2-4 weeks.

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No shortage of vaccines in Puducherry, ready to face third wave: LG

Puducherry LG Tamilisai Soundararajan on Friday said Puducherry did not have a shortage or lack of vaccines to cover all the eligible people in the fight against COVID-19. Talking to reporters at Raj Nivas after handing over medical equipment to the Health Department, she said when there were reports of people facing difficulty in getting the jabs for want of adequate stock of the vaccine in several parts, Puducherry had full stock to meet the requirements.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also promised that more stocks would be distributed to states and union territories including Puducherry from 21 June,” she said.

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Jharkhand on alert to combat third COVID-19 wave

The Jharkhand government is on high alert to contain any possible third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, following suggestions of experts that any laxity may lead to serious consequences, officials said on Friday. The state government issued a detailed document to deal with the possibility of the third wave, which may lead to an increased number of infections among children.

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Over half crore people in Maharashtra fully vaccinated in five months

More than half a crore people in  Maharashtra have become fully vaccinated against coronavirus over the last five months as they have been administered both the doses of vaccines, a report by the state health department has revealed. A total of 53,72,219 people have got both the doses till now, it said.

As per the Election Commission of India’s data shared ahead of 2019 Assembly polls, there are a total of nine crore people in Maharashtra who are above 18 years of age. Considering that, the state has been able to vaccinate slightly over five per cent population in the last five months.

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Randeep Guleria calls AIIMS-WHO research on 3rd wave ‘positive’

AIIMS Delhi director Dr Randeep Guleria on Friday said that the outcome of the joint survey by the World Health Organization and AIIMS, which found out that Covid-19 seroprevalence was 55.7 per cent and 63.5 per cent in the age group below 18 and above respectively, is “positive”. However, he has pointed out the need for a larger nationwide sample size for comprehensive results.

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Modi says 1,500 oxygen plants to be set up across country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that work is underway “on war footing” to prepare over 1,500 oxygen plants for use, and “efforts are on to reach every district”.

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‘Virus is still among us’: Narendra Modi cautions against laxity in precautions

Launching a training programme for COVID-19 frontline workers, Narendra Modi also urged the 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 central government is committed to provide Covid vaccination free to everyone, starting June 21. “In the second wave of coronavirus, we saw what kind of challenges the ever-changing form of this virus can bring before us,” Modi said.

“We have to further enhance the preparedness of the country to meet the challenges ahead,” he asserted.

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Rajnath Singh visits dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Guwahati

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday visited a dedicated COVID-19 facility in Assam’s Guwahati.

“Visited the COVID dedicated hospital at Sarusajai in Guwahati today. The DRDO and Assam Government has come up with 316 bed COVID Hospital in a record time. This Hospital will help the state of Assam in its fight against the Pandemic,” he said.

Visited the COVID dedicated hospital at Sarusajai in Guwahati today. The DRDO and Assam Government has come up with 316 bed COVID Hospital in a record time. This Hospital will help the state of Assam in its fight against the Pandemic. @DRDO_India pic.twitter.com/NMdbiKWvbO

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 18, 2021

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Centre to implement same vaccination policy for people of all ages: Modi

“People below 45 years of age will get the same treatment for vaccination as for people above 45 years of age from 21 June,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

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Narendra Modi launches training programme for COVID-10 frontline workers

“We are working towards preparing 1 lakh frontline workers in the country,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi while launching a “crash course” for COVID-19 frontline workers on Friday.

Launching the ‘Customised Crash Course programme for Covid 19 Frontline workers.’ https://t.co/yDl3F0eLVF

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2021

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Odisha govt orders priority vaccination for HIV patients

The Odisha government on Friday directed officials to vaccinate those with HIV on priority.

In accordance with the advise of the National AIDS Control Organisation, the additional chief secretary of health and family welfare, PK Mohapatra, in an official letter to the district authorities asked collectors, municipal commissioners, chief district medical and public health officers to vaccinate all eligible people living with HIV (irrespective of CD4 count and viral load), ANI reported.

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The COVID-19 situation in numbers:

 The daily positivity rate was recorded 3.24 percent on Friday morning. It has been less than 5 percent for 11 consecutive days, the Union Health Ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 3.80 percent.

Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 36th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,85,80,647, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.29 percent, the data stated. Cumulatively, 26,89,60,399 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far  under Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

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Uttar Pradesh reports 291 new COVID-19 cases today

Uttar Pradesh on Friday reported 291 new COVID-19 cases, 774 recoveries, and 5,343 active cases.

The recovery rate stands at 98.4 percent and the overall positivity rate is at 3.1 percent.

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Active COVID-19 cases fall below 8 lakh after 73 days

The active cases have fallen below 8 lakh after 73 days and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has crossed 96 percent.

The active cases have declined to 7,98,656, comprising 2.68 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 96.03 percent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

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ICMR says 19.29 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted yesterday

A total of 38,7167,696 samples have been tested up to 17 June. “Of these, 19,29,476 samples were tested yesterday,” said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

#COVID19 | A total of 38,7167,696 samples tested up to June 17. Of these, 19,29,476 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) pic.twitter.com/OjgI7lftDJ

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2021

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COVID-19 deaths rise by 1,587 in past 24 hours: Centre

A tally of 1,587 new COVID-19 deaths were reported in the country in the last 24 hours, the Centre said. The total toll rose to 3,83,490.

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India reports 62,480 new COVID-19 cases today

India on Friday reported 62,480 new COVID-19 cases, 88,977 recoveries and 1,587 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said.

The total caseload rose to 2,97,62,793.

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Madrasa converted to 25-bed COVID-19 care centre in Karnataka

A madrasa in Karnataka’s Hubli district has been converted into a 25-bed COVID-19 care centre, ANI reported.

“A total of 25 beds are available here. Separate arrangements made for male and female patients. Round-the-clock medical assistance is available,” ANI quoted Abdul Rehman Mulla, Secretary, Kohani Masjid Committee.

Karnataka: Madrasa converted into 25-bed COVID care centre in Hubli

A total of 25 beds are available here. Separate arrangements made for male and female patients. Round-the-clock medical assistance is available: Abdul Rehman Mulla, Secy, Kohani Masjid Committee (17.06.21) pic.twitter.com/ON2a2wupco

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2021

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Pfizer, Moderna ‘preferred’ second dose after AstraZeneca in Canada, says report

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization on Thursday said a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine can be followed by a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna dose for the second shot, The Times of India reported.

“On 1 June, the committee had said AstraZeneca recipients ‘could’ get Pfizer or Moderna for their second shot if they wanted, but Thursday went further to say an mRNA vaccine was the ‘preferred’ choice,” the report said.

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Narendra Modi to launch ‘crash course’ for frontline workers today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a customised crash course programme for COVID-19 frontline workers on Friday through video conferencing, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The launch will commence the programme in 111 training centres spread over 26 states.

The launch will be followed by Modi’s address. the Union Minister of skill development and entrepreneurship will also be present on the occasion. The programme aims to skill and upskill over one lakh “Covid warriors” across the country, the PMO added.

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Odisha constitutes panel to study cause of COVID infection despite vaccination

As part of its planning to tackle the possible third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Odisha government on Thursday constituted an eight-member technical committee to study the cause of coronavirus infections among people even after complete vaccination.

The technical committee headed by Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar Director Dr Ajay Parida will have experts as its members. “The technical committee will report its observation to the state for guidance and further action,” Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, P K Mohapatra said.

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Madhya Pradesh govt must correct COVID-19 deaths’ figure: Congress

Madhya Pradesh Congress working president Jitu Patwani on Thursday claimed inaccurate data on COVID-19 deaths from the Madhya Pradesh government, and demanded “to correct the number of deaths due to COVID-19”, ANI reported.

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MK Stalin asks Narendra Modi for more vaccine doses for Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Thursday said he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the state and rescind the Centre’s preliminary nod for Mekedatu dam in Karnataka.

On his maiden visit to the national capital after assuming office as chief minister last month, Stalin urged Modi to grant citizenship to Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka, withdraw the Citizenship Amendment Act and the three farm laws.

Raising the level of Mullaperiyar dam, priority for river linking initiatives, scrapping NEET, finding a permanent solution to the travails of fishermen at the hands
of Sri Lankan Navy, completing work for AIIMS at Madurai in Tamil Nadu were among the other issues he raised.

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Third COVID-19 wave unlikely to affect children more, claims AIIMS-WHO study

A study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday revealed that the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is not more likely to disproportionately affect children than adults. This comes as several states ramp up their infrastructure to prepare for the third wave with a special focus on protecting children.

The SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity rate among children was just as high as compared to the adult population in an interim study that involved 4,509 participants from five locations in four states.

Seropositivity is a percentage estimate of the number of people with antibodies towards the coronavirus and hence a past infection.

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Maharashtra reports 9,830 COVID-19 cases, 236 deaths; 5,890 discharged

Maharashtra on Thursday reported 9,830 fresh COVID-19 cases and 236 fatalities and also added 400 old deaths, taking its infection tally to 59,44,710 and the toll to 1,16,026, said the state health department.

Apart from the 236 new deaths, the state added 400 previously unreported   fatalities to the toll as part of an ongoing reconciliation exercise,  the department said. Out of the 236 deaths, 167 occurred in the last 48 hours and 69 during the last week, it said.

With 5,890 people getting discharged from hospitals during the day, the count of recovered patients rose to 56,85,636, leaving the state with 1,39,960 active cases, the department said. There are 8,50,663 patients in home quarantine, while 4,964 are in institutional quarantine, the department said.

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Delhi govt sent file on doorstep delivery of ration scheme to LG again, says CMO

The AAP dispensation has again sent the file on its doorstep delivery of ration scheme to LG Anil Baijal, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday, amid a tug of war between the Centre and the Delhi government over it.

According to the statement, the chief minister said the scheme had attained finality and required no further approval for its implementation, and questioned the L-G’s earlier observations on it. Earlier this month, the Arvind Kejriwal government had claimed that the scheme was rejected by the L-G contending that the Centre’s approval was not sought for it and there was a pending case in the court.

“The CM said that the instant matter before the L-G is not the approval of the scheme as the scheme has already attained finality. CM wrote in the note that it was unfortunate that the scheme has been put on hold due to L-G’s observations,” the statement said.