23:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
New York guv considers quarantine for people arriving in the state
New York governor Andrew Cuomo reportedly said the district administration was "considering a possible quarantine on people entering New York state as the virus continues to spread," CNN reported.
"Reminding reporters about other states, including Florida, which issued a mandatory quarantine on New Yorkers coming to their states approximately 100 days ago, Cuomo acknowledged that experts have advised him to issue a quarantine for people coming to the state and he is considering it now," the report added.
23:21 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Satyendar Jain's health is improving, says Delhi govt
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, who is in hospital for COVID-19 treatment, showed some improvement on Thursday but his fever has not yet subsided, senior officials said.
The 55-year-old minister is getting oxygen support on and off as per requirement, they said.
Jain had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) here after running high-grade fever and suffering sudden drop in oxygen levels.
"His fever is down a bit today. He was kept on oxygen supply for longer time today. But, his overall condition is improving," a senior official of the hospital said.
(PTI)
23:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
Chennai Police instructed to 'strictly' implement 12-day lockdown, says report
"With the 12-day lockdown set to begin in Chennai from Friday, the Greater Chennai Police issued a series of instructions for the city residents to follow during the period. Barring hospitals, labs, ambulances, pharmacies, and funeral hearses, there are restrictions on other activities. Auto rickshaws, taxi cabs will not be allowed to run in the city except in case of emergency," The Indian Express reported.
22:51 (IST)
Coronavirus in Jharkhand Latest Updates
Jharkhand reports 23 new COVID-19 cases
23 more COVID-19 cases, 47 recoveries and 1 death were reported in Jharkhand on Thursday. Total number of cases in the state is now at 1,919, including 710 active cases, 1,198 recovered/discharged and 11 deaths, the state health department said.
22:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
1.5 million more laid-off workers seek unemployment benefits
About 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, a historically high number, even as the economy increasingly reopens and employers bring some people back to work.
The latest figure released Thursday marked the 11th straight weekly decline in applications since they peaked at nearly 7 million in March as the coronavirus shut down much of the economy and caused tens of millions of layoffs. The decline was much smaller, though, than in recent weeks, falling just 58,000.
The total number of people receiving unemployment aid also fell slightly, reflecting the return of many to their old jobs.
Still, analysts had expected a sharper decline in weekly applications, and some expressed disappointment that so many people are still seeking unemployment benefits even as restaurants, gyms and many categories of retail shops are reopening across the country.
(AP)
22:34 (IST)
Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh Latest Updates
82 new COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh today
The number of COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh rose to 1,946 after 82 new cases were reported on Thursday. "As many as 46 patients were discharged during the day from hospitals across the state following recovery," News18 reported.
22:25 (IST)
Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates
Race for virus vaccine could leave some countries behind
As the race intensifies for a vaccine against the new coronavirus, rich countries are rushing to place advance orders for the inevitably limited supply to guarantee their citizens get immunized first — leaving significant questions about whether developing countries will get any vaccines in time to save lives before the pandemic ends.
Earlier this month, the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and others said it was a “moral imperative” that everyone have access to a “people’s vaccine.” But such grand declarations are unenforceable, and without a detailed strategy, the allocation of vaccines could be inequitable and extremely messy, said health experts.
“We have this beautiful picture of everyone getting the vaccine, but there is no road map on how to do it,” said Yuan Qiong Hu, a senior legal and policy adviser at Doctors Without Borders in Geneva. Few measures have been taken to resolve numerous problems for achieve fair distribution, she said.
(AP)
22:12 (IST)
Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates
Global COVID-19 toll crosses 4.5 lakh
The global toll due to coronavirus on Thursday crossed 4,50,000, according to a tally compiled by AFP.
21:59 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Railway Board chairperson visits isolation coaches in Delhi
Railway Board chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav on Thursday visited Anand Vihar terminal where around 300 COVID care isolation coaches have been set up, in view of the rise in #COVID19 cases.
Delhi: Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav today visited Anand Vihar terminal where around 300 COVID care isolation coaches have been set up, in view of the rise in #COVID19 cases. pic.twitter.com/twVwekdEJL
— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2020
21:50 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Manish Sisodia says rapid antigen tests conducted at 193 centres
Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that the rapid antigen testing was conducted at 193 centres on Thursday.
"A total of 7040 people were tested for #COVID19, of which 456 tested positive. People who live in containment zones are being tested in the initial stage," he said.
21:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Updates
Haryana district admin imposes two-day curfew during solar eclipse, says report
"The Kurukshetra administration has decided to impose a two-day curfew from Friday to prevent people's gathering at the city's holy pools during the solar eclipse on June 21. District Magistrate Dhirendra Khadgata said the step is being taken to ensure that no one takes a dip at the city's Brahma Sarovar and Sannehit Sarovar during the solar eclipse in view of coronavirus outbreak," News18 reported.
21:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases in Karnataka rise to 7,944
Karnataka reported 210 new cases of coronavirus and 12 deaths. The total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 7,944, and the toll stood at 114.
21:24 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Mumbai reports 1,298 new COVID-19 cases
1298 COVID-19 cases, 518 recoveries and 67 deaths were reported in Mumbai on Thursday, the BMC said. Total number of cases in the city is now at 62,799, including 31,856 recovered/discharged, 27,634 active cases, and 3,309 deaths.
21:15 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi HC says Kejriwal govt not using testing facilities optimally
The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that the AAP government "was not using testing facilities of private labs to their optimum capacity", News18 reported.
"A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad arrived at the conclusion after comparing testing data on Delhi government's website and the figures given in its affidavit placed before the court," the report said.
21:02 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
3,752 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra today
Maharashtra records highest single-day spike with 3,752 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, total number of cases stands at 1,20,504. Death toll rises to 5,751 after 100 deaths were reported today. 60,838 patients have been discharged so far including 1672.
20:53 (IST)
Coronavirus in Manipur Latest Updates
Manipur reports 54 new COVID-19 cases
Manipur on Thursday reported 54 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the state's tally to 606. "All the 54 people who tested positive for COVID-19 had returned from other states," News18 reported.
20:41 (IST)
Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates
35 new COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan today
315 more COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths and 275 recovered in Rajasthan on Thursday. Total number of cases in the state is now at 13,857, including 2,785 active cases, 10,742 recovered and 330 deaths.
20:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre lifts ban on hydroxychloroquine
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Thursday lifted the export ban on hydroxychloroquine API and its formulations.
"This comes after a WHO scientist said that it has been proven doesn't work in stopping deaths among people hospitalized with the new coronavirus. The US FDA also revoked its emergency use after concluding that they may not be effective to cure the virus infections," News18 reported.
20:13 (IST)
Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates
118 new COVID-19 cases in Punjab today
118 fresh COVID-19 cases and five deaths have been reported in Punjab on Thursday. Total number of cases stands at 3615 and toll is at 83, the state department of information and public relations said.
20:03 (IST)
Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases in Gujarat rise to 25,660
510 new COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths have been reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours. State tally rises to 25,660 including 17,829 cured/discharged and 1592 deaths, the state health department said.
19:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Dharavi reports 28 new COVID-19 cases
The BMC on Thursday said that 28 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai, taking the total number of cases to 2134. A total of 78 people have succumbed to the disease in the area so far.
19:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi govt starts antigen tests for COVID-19
The Delhi government on Thursday commenced COVID-19 testing through the rapid antigen methodology at 169 centres in and around containment zones of the city. A total of 341 teams are involved in the rapid-antigen testing which makes results available within 30 minutes.
(PTI)
19:31 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
Kerala CM says discussions on over making COVID-19 tests available to expats
In those Middle East countries where expats don't have facility for rapid testing,discussions are underway to make Truenat Rapid Test kits available to them:Kerala CM on state govt's decision to make COVID-19 negative certificate mandatory for all passengers returning from abroad
Discussion regarding it is taking place with airlines and will need permission from respective Indian Embassies: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
19:16 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
2,141 new COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu today
The Tamil Nadu health department said that 2,141 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 52,334. The toll is at 625 after 49 deaths were also reported.
19:05 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MHA says UP, Haryana govts can lower price of COVID-19 test after internal consultations
The MHA on Thursday said, "Home Minister Amit Shah, while chairing a meeting to review preparations for COVID-19 management, said that Expert Committee has fixed a price of Rs 2,400 for tests and if the price for such tests is higher in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, they could decide to lower their prices after internal consultations."
18:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Modi says Yoga will become more popular in post COVID-19 world
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation on Yoga Day this year and said, "In the post COVID-19 era, the focus on preventive healthcare will get stronger and that is why I am confident that yoga will become even more popular."
18:38 (IST)
Coronavitus in Delhi Latest Updates
Delhi authorities need to work on common strategy against COVID-19, says Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said, "Keeping in view the structure of Delhi-NCR region, all the concerned bodies need to unite and work on a common strategy against coronavirus. In this context, I met Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior officials of Center and Delhi-NCR today to discuss a strategy."
18:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
97 new COVID-19 cases in Kerala today
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that 97 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state on Thursday.
The toll rose to 21 after one death was also reported. Total cases in the state stand at 2,794 cases, of which 1358 are active cases.
18:20 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Over 15,000 migrant workers are returning to Maharashtra, says govt
Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said that over 15,000 migrant workers are returning to the state after they left the state during the lockdown.
"On average 11,500 workers were returning to Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai daily, while 4,000 to 5,000 labourers were returning to Gondia, Nandurbar, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Pune," he was quoted as saying by News18.
18:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
First Tamil Nadu cop succumbs to COVID-19
Reports said that the first police personnel of the Tamil Nadu force succumbed to coronavirus on Thursday.
"A 47-year-old inspector working at the Mambalam police station in Chennai died due to COVID-19 and will be laid to rest with full honours on Friday," News18 reported.
18:02 (IST)
Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates
WHO studying trial data on HIV drugs as COVID-19 treatment
Large multi-country trials of the combination HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir to treat COVID-19 have recruited thousands of patients and the World Health Organization is now looking at interim data, the UN agency's chief scientist said. Soumya Swaminathan said several thousand patients had been enrolled in the lopinavir/ritonavir arm of the WHO-led Solidarity Trial and in a separate UK-led COVID-19 trial of the drug combination," News18 reported.
17:54 (IST)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
604 new COVID-19 cases in UP today
Uttar Pradesh on Thursday recorded 604 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the state to 15,785.
17:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Kejriwal says Delhiites shouldn't have problem with COVID-19 testing now
दिल्ली में करोना की टेस्टिंग -आज दो महत्वपूर्ण घटनायें हुईं
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 18, 2020
1. दिल्ली में टेस्टिंग के रेट घटाकर 2400 रुपए किए
2. आज से दिल्ली में रैपिड ऐंटिजेन टेस्टिंग शुरू हुई जिसके नतीजे 15 मिनट में आ जाते हैं
उम्मीद करता हूँ कि अब दिल्ली के लोगों को टेस्टिंग की कोई समस्या नहीं होगी
17:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre tells states, UTs to ensure payment of salaries to doctors
According to the Supreme Court directions, the Centre on Thursday told state governments and union territories to ensure the timely payment of salaries to doctors and health workers on COVID-19 duty.
Live Law reported that the violation of this order will "be treated as offence under the Disaster Management Act'"
Following SC directions, Centre issues order invoking provisions of Disaster Management Act to direct States and UTs to ensure payment of salaries to doctors and health workers doing COVID19 related duty. Violation to be treated as offence under DMA.@MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/03H00ekq7d
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) June 18, 2020
17:17 (IST)
Coronavirus in Nepal Latest Updates
Nepal reports 671 new COVID-19 cases
The Nepal health ministry said 671 more COVID-19 cases were reported across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the country to 7848.
17:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh Latest Updates
425 new COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh today
"The COVID-19 surge continued unabated in Andhra Pradesh with a record single day high of 425 new cases being added, taking the overall tally to 7,496. The coronavirus toll also continued its upward trend as two more patients died in Krishna district, making it a total of 92 so far in the state, according to the latest bulletin," News18 reported.
17:08 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre to spend Rs 50,000 cr on livelihood scheme for migrant workers
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said within 125 days, for 116 districts, nearly 25 schemes of the government will be brought together under Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, "we will reach saturation levels for each of those schemes within those 125 days."
She added, "Everyone who needs an assignment in these 116 districts will be given work under Garib KalyanRojgarAbhiyaan, broad estimated expenditure for the scheme is Rs 50,000 crores, the money allotted for this will be front-loaded."
16:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Kejriwal says Delhi, NCR can't be separated
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said, "The discussion with Home Minister Amit Shah was focussed on how we can save the entire NCR unit from COVID-19 because the NCR can't be separated. Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad are the same."
16:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Kejriwal, Sisodia visit COVID-19 isolation centre
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia visited Radha Soami Satsang Beas centre, on Thursday. Kejriwal said, "This space is being converted into COVID-19 isolation centre. Around 10,000 beds can be set up here."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia visited Radha Soami Satsang Beas centre, today. CM Kejriwal says, "this space is being converted into COVID isolation centre. Around 10,000 beds can be set up here." #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/zhsCeZ36mm
— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2020
16:34 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Nirmala Sitharaman says Centre 'meticulously mapped' skill sets of migrant workers
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday addressed a press conference ahead of the launch of a livelihood scheme for migrant workers.
"Workers from all over the country wanted to go back to villages a little while after the lockdown began and central and state governments made some arrangements, and they have gone back. We have looked at the districts to which they have largely returned.
"We have found that migrant workers returned in large numbers to 116 districts, spread over six states - Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
The central and state governments have meticulously mapped the skill sets of the migrant workers who have returned in large numbers to the 116 districts in 6 states," she said.
16:23 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Uddhav Thackeray appeals fro 'low-key' Ganesh festival
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday appealed for a "simple and low-key Ganesh festival" celebration this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, "and asked Ganesh mandals to undertake social welfare programmes", News18 reported.
"Thackeray said the threat of coronavirus is not yet over and therefore, it will not be possible to celebrate the Ganesh festival with the usual pomp and gaiety. He said there should be no crowding or processions during the festival," the report said.
16:18 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Nirmala Sitharaman addresses presser over Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday addressed a press conference at the launch of Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA).
"Faced with the challenge of providing employment to returning migrants in the wake of COVID-19, the Centre had launched the GKRA scheme, under which public works worth Rs 50,000 crore will be carried out," The Indian Express reported.
16:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Centre to give 500 ventilators, 650 ambulances to Delhi
The MHA on Thursday said that the Centre will give 500 ventilators and 650 ambulances to Delhi's hospitals, The Indian Express reported.
16:03 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Centre to conduct 6 lakh tests in Delhi via rapid antigen method
MHA MoS G Kishan Reddy was quoted by PTI as saying that the Centre will conduct 6 lakh COVID-19 tests in Delhi through the rapid antigen method at 169 new facilities.
15:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Over 16,000 samples tested for COVID-19 in UP yesterday
The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday said that 16,546 samples were tested for coronavirus in the state on Wednesday.
"A total of 5,15,280 samples have been tested till date," said Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad.
He added, "630 new cases reported in the state, in last 24 hours. There are 5659 active cases, 9638 people have been discharged after making full recovery from the disease. A total of 488 people have succumbed to it."
15:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
82 new COVID-19 cases in Assam today
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 82 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 4,777. The number of active cases stands at 2,111.
15:18 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttarakhand Latest Update
57 new cases reported from Uttarakhand, takes total to 2,079
Uttarakhand on Thursday reported 57 new COVID-19 cases till 2:30 pm today, taking the total number of positive cases to 2,079, according to the lastest update from the state Control Room COVID-19.
15:11 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Update
Odisha reports 174 new cases of COVID-19, total rises to 4,512
Odisha reported 174 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the total to 4,512 in the state, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 146 were reported from different quarantine centres where people returning from other parts of the country are lodged, they said. The process of contact tracing and follow up action is being taken, a health department official said.
15:04 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Update
Seven employees of Chinese firm contract COVID-19 in Pune
Seven persons, including a Chinese national, employed at a Chinese firm in Chakan town of Maharashtra's Pune district, have tested positive for coronavirus, a health officer told PTI on Thursday.
Following the detection of these cases, 130 employees, including nine Chinese nationals, have been quarantined, Dr Baliram Gadawe, a health officer from Khed tehsil said. The employees belong to a Chinese firm that manufactures machinery and mining equipment and has a unit in Chakan, he said.
14:54 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update
PM's decision to make energy sector reliant will create over than 2.8 lakh jobs, says Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that in line with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off the process to auction 41 coal mines for commercial mining. “This historic decision will make India self-reliant in the energy sector by introducing competition and boosting coal production,” said Shah, reports ANI.
The home minister says this decision of the Modi-led BJP government will create more than 2.8 lakh jobs, attract capital investment worth Rs 33,000 crore, and generate annual revenue of Rs 20,000 crore for the state governments.
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said that over 15,000 migrant workers are returning to the state after they left the state during the lockdown.
"On average 11,500 workers were returning to Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai daily, while 4,000 to 5,000 labourers were returning to Gondia, Nandurbar, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Pune," he was quoted as saying by News18.
Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Twitter said that a total of 3,820 police personnel tested positive for the coronavirus in the state. Of these, 2,754 have recovered and 45 have died of the infection.
The Supreme Court on Thursday while referring to the Rath Yatra at Puri’s Jagannath Temple in Odisha, said they will not allow it, according to Live Law. Lord Jagannath will not forgive us if we allow this to continue,' Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said.
The Delhi government has decided to fix the price limit of RT-PCR tests for coronavirus at Rs, 2400, PTI quoted Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia as saying on Thursday. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launches India’s first mobile lab for COVID-19 testing in Delhi, ANI reports.
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the annual Rath Yatra and related activities at Puri's Jagannath Temple in Odisha, scheduled for 23 June this year, in view of the coronavirus outbreak, PTI reported.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that as per the new testing protocol approved by ICMR, testing for COVID-19 will be done from today onwards as per the new Rapid Antigen methodology. 'This technique will be faster and cheaper, 169 testing centers set up in the National Capital. Priority for the supply of kits will be given to Delhi,' he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking at the launch of the auction of 41 coal mines for commercial mining today said: India will turn this Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity. It has taught India to be self-reliant. India will also reduce its dependence on imports.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold a meeting today at 12 pm with senior administrative officers of Delhi-NCR, in view of COVID-19 management and situation in the national capital, reports ANI.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said as many as 62,49,668 samples have been tested till 17 June. Of these, 1,65,412 samples tested in the last 24 hours. The recovery rate has further improved to 52.95% with the recoveries/deaths ratio stands now at 94.07%.
India on Thursday reported 12,881 new cases and 334 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the latest update from the Union health ministry. With this, the country’s overall count rises to 3,66,946, including 12,237 fatalities.
Delhi Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has been given additional charge of the health ministry and other departments allocated to Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain after Jain tested for positive COVID19 yesterday, reports ANI.
The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments for COVID-19 patients had been halted after new data and studies showed no benefit, reports Reuters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked states to make full use of the expanded COVID-19 testing capacity stating that saving lives is a top priority as India recorded a spike of 2,003 coronavirus deaths after Maharashtra and Delhi added earlier fatalities not attributed to the disease.
Modi also called for fighting the stigma associated with the novel coronavirus and that people should be assured there is no need to panic if somebody has contracted the infection as the number of recovered patients has also been rising. The COVID-19 recovery rate for the country currently stood at around 53 percent.
The prime minister's exhortations came on a day the country registered 2,003 COVID-19 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry, pushing the death toll to 11,903. This was after Maharashtra and Delhi added earlier deaths that were not attributed to the disease.
According to the health ministry, India's caseload rose to 3,54,065 with 10,974 new infections being reported in the last 24 hours. The active cases stood at 1,55,227, while 1,86,934 people have recovered, the ministry added.
Administrative measures
As COVID-19 cases spike, some states came out with new strategies to check the spread of the disease.
In a first, Tamil Nadu tested as many as 25,463 samples in a single day while 2,174 people tested positive for the coronavirus, the state's highest increase in a 24-hour period, propelling its tally to over 50,000.
The Maharashtra government has been testing samples aggressively and tracing new cases under "chase the virus" strategy, and has also ramped up health infrastructure, according to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
With this strategy, the virus spread has been significantly contained in Dharavi, the biggest and thickly-populated slum sprawl in Mumbai, an official release quoted Thackeray as having told the prime minister during a video conference.
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally stood at 1,16,752, according to a state health bulletin.
The Karnataka government has decided to conduct random testing on slum dwellers, vendors and bill collectors at markets, delivery and courier boys among others, aimed at effective surveillance, an official circular said. On Wednesday, the state's toll reached 102, while the number of cases rose to 7,734 with 204 patients testing positive.
In Delhi, health surveys were conducted for 1.78 lakh people in 242 containment zones between 15 and 16 June in a bid to improve contact mapping in the National Capital, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah stepped in and announced a slew of measures to fight the pandemic.
Saving lives should be top priority: Modi
Saving lives should be the top priority, Modi told the chief ministers, as he called for expanding the health infrastructure of the states, according to an official statement.
Wednesday's interaction virtual meeting was the second and final segment of Modi’s sixth round of consultations with chief ministers of states and L-Gs of Union Territories in the last three months on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Referring to the rise in number of infections, Modi underscored the need for testing, tracking, tracing and isolating COVID-19 patients to deal with the pandemic.
Noting that the spread of COVID-19 is more in a few big states and cities, he asked the states to make full use of their existing testing capacity and also work to augment the health infrastructure.
India has stepped up testing capacity significantly to three lakh samples per day with a network of 924 laboratories including 674 in the government sector.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 60,84,256 samples have been analysed for coronavirus in the country till 16 June with 1,63,187 tested on Tuesday.
The prime minister said big crowds, lack of physical-distancing, daily movement of large number of people and small houses in some cities have made the battle against the coronavirus "more challenging".
State-wise figures
Of the 2,003 new deaths, Maharashtra accounted for the highest 1,409 fatalities taking its COVID-19 death tally to 5,537, while coronavirus deaths in Delhi surged by 437 taking its toll to 1,837, according to the Health Ministry data updated at 8 am.
Besides, Tamil Nadu has reported 49 deaths followed by Gujarat at 28, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana at 18 each, Madhya Pradesh 11, West Bengal 10, Rajasthan 7, Karnataka 5 and Telangana 4. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Punjab, Puducherry and Uttarakhand have reported one fatality each in the last 24 hours.
Of the total 11,903 deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 5,537 fatalities followed by Delhi with 1,837 deaths, Gujarat with 1,533, Tamil Nadu with 528, West Bengal with 495, Madhya Pradesh with 476, Uttar Pradesh with 417, Rajasthan with 308 and Telangana with 191 deaths.
The COVID-19 toll reached 118 in Haryana, 94 in Karnataka, 88 in Andhra Pradesh, 72 in Punjab, 63 in Jammu and Kashmir, 41 in Bihar, 25 in Uttarakhand, 20 in Kerala and 11 in Odisha.
Maharashtra has reported maximum number of cases at 1,13,445 followed by Tamil Nadu at 48,019, Delhi at 44,688, Gujarat at 24,577, Uttar Pradesh at 14,091, Rajasthan at 13,216 and West Bengal at 11,909, according to the Health Ministry's data.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 11,083 in Madhya Pradesh, 8,272 in Haryana, 7,530 in Karnataka and 6,778 in Bihar. It has risen to 6,841 in Andhra Pradesh, 5,406 in Telangana, 5,298 in Jammu and Kashmir, 4,319 in Assam and 4,163 in Odisha.
Punjab has reported 3,371 novel coronavirus cases so far, while Kerala has 2,622 cases. A total of 1,942 people have been infected by the virus in Uttarakhand, 1,839 in Jharkhand, 1,781 in Chhattisgarh, 1,092 in Tripura, 649 in Ladakh, 629 in Goa, 560 in Himachal Pradesh and 500 in Manipur.
Chandigarh has registered 358 COVID-19 cases, Puducherry has 216 cases, Nagaland has 179, Mizoram has 121, Arunachal Pradesh has 95, Sikkim has 70, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together have reported 45 COVID-19 cases. Meghalaya and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have registered 44 infections so far.
Ensure payment of salaries to doctors, says SC
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to issue directions to states for payment of salaries and providing necessary quarantine facilities to doctors and healthcare workers engaged in treating COVID-19 patients.
The government told the court it would issue the necessary directions.
A bench of justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul and MR Shah said that doctors and healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients should not be denied quarantine facilities.
The top court asked the Centre to file a compliance report within four weeks on payment of salaries and quarantine facilities to doctors and healthcare workers and warned that non-compliance would be viewed seriously.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by a private doctor raising questions on the Centre's 15 May decision that 14-day quarantine was not mandatory for doctors.
Doctor Arushi Jain, in her petition filed through advocates Mithu Jain and Arjun Syal, had alleged that front line healthcare workers engaged in the fight against COVID-19 are not being paid salaries or their wages are being cut or delayed.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre said that government would issue the directions to states and Union territories within 24 hours to ensure timely payment of salaries to doctors and health care workers.
With inputs from PTI
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