Coronavirus Highlights: India's COVID-19 Tally Crosses 7 Lakh-Mark With Over 22,000 Cases In 24 Hours

Covid-19 India Updates: India now trails only the United States and Brazil in the number of COVID-19 cases and it has recorded eight times as many cases as China, where the virus was first identified in late 2019.

Delhi Teen Twins, Friends Running COVID Relief Helpline Without Donations
At a time when the world is facing its biggest social, economic and health challenge in decades - the coronavirus pandemic - children across the globe are coming forward to do their bit, ensuring that the innate compassion for fellow humans remain intact even in the face of adversity. Take Delhi's 16-year-old twin sisters - Asheer and Asees Kandhari - for instance. Along with their teenage friends, Aman Banka and Aditya Dubey, they have been running a COVID-19 helpline without any donation. Read

Jul 08, 2020 05:26 (IST)

Amid Surge, Medical Body IMA Raises Concerns Over Assam's COVID Management Plan
At a time when Assam's coronavirus positive numbers are on the rise and Guwahati is facing a major spread of the virus, the Assam chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, urging the state health department not to take "whimsical decisions".

The IMA has expressed immense resentment over the recent changes in the policy of the government over the management of the COVID-19 situation.

"IMA strongly protests the government's order of engaging health workers and doctors in 11 days' continuous service in the COVID wards and thereafter only three days of quarantine before re-engaging them in COVID duties subject to testing negative for the disease," says the letter. Read

Jul 08, 2020 03:52 (IST)

Coronavirus News: Central Drug Agency Warns Of Black Marketing Of COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir
The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has raised concerns over black marketing and profiteering of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug prescribed for treatment of suspected or severe lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. The DGCI has written to all states and union territories asking them to keep "strict vigil" and prevent sale of the drug above MRP.

"Immediate enforcement is needed to stop the sale of COVID-19 drug Remdesivir above MRP (maximum retail price)," the agency said, noting that unscrupulous persons were indulging in black marketing and over-pricing of the drug.

DGCI chief Dr VG Somani said complaints had been received from an Uttar Pradesh-based community engagement and social media platform via the Ministry of Health.

On Monday drug manufacturer Mylan NV said it would launch a generic version of Remdesivir, originally developed by the US-based Gilead Sciences Inc., in India. Read

Jul 07, 2020 23:40 (IST)

Mizoram COVID-19 count stands at 197

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state stood at 197 including 58 active cases and 139 cured/discharged, Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram said.

With a spike of 22,252 cases, India's COVID-19 count breached the seven lakh mark and reached 7,19,665 on Tuesday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.With as many as 467 deaths reported in the last 24 hours due to coronavirus, the death toll has reached 20,160.

Out of the total number of cases, 2,59,557 are active and 4,39,948 have been cured/discharged/migrated.

Jul 07, 2020 22:57 (IST)

"5.03 lakh stranded Indians brought back through Vande Bharat Mission"

The Centre on Tuesday informed the Madras High Court that 5,03,990 lakh Indians stranded in 137 countries have been brought back to the country through Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) in less than two months.

Tamil Nadu is the fourth state that received a large number of its residents through the mission, it said.

"Kerala received the largest number of stranded Indians (94,085), followed by Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh," Additional Solicitor General of India R Sankaranarayanan said.

The largest number of stranded Indians returned by VBM flights are from UAE (57,305), followed by Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and USA.

From Nepal 91,193 people returned through land border check posts, he added.

In the fourth phase of the mission 218 more flights are scheduled to India from various countries, of which more than 25 will be landing in Tamil Nadu, he said.

Jul 07, 2020 22:35 (IST)

BJP MP Gautam Gambhir hands over COVID isolation centre to Delhi Government

BJP MP Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday handed over Kanti Nagar COVID-19 isolation centre set up by his foundation to Delhi Government.

While speaking to ANI, Gambhir said that this is not the time for politics but to serve people.

"We have provided 50-bed isolation centre set up Gautam Gambhir Foundation to Delhi government. It is equipped with 30 oxygen cylinders. It is for the people who are not able to isolate themselves in 德扑圈apphomes. This is not the time for politics but to serve people," he said.

East Delhi MP further said that after the intervention of 德扑圈apphome Minister Amit Shah, the bed capacity of Delhi increased and the situation came under control.

Jul 07, 2020 22:17 (IST)

Uddhav Thackeray inaugurates 3,520 bed COVID treatment facilities in Mumbai

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday inaugurated 3,520 bed Corona treatment facilities spread across parts of Mumbai amid rising cases of the lethal virus in the city.

These facilities, inaugurated by the Chief Minister through video conferencing today, are spread out across Mulund, Dahisar, Mahalaxmi Race course and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the city.

"Of these new facilities, the one at Mulund, will contain 1,700 beds for treating COVID patients. It has been built by CIDCO and around 500 beds have been reserved for Thane Municipal Corporation," a tweet by the CMO Maharashtra read.

Jul 07, 2020 22:04 (IST)

Coronavirus: 1,388 cases in Thane district on Tuesday

The COVID-19 count in Thane district reached 45,264 after 1,338 people were detected with coronavirus infection on Tuesday, while 45 deaths during the day took the toll to 1,353, an official said.

The surge in cases in Kalyan continued as it accounted for 381 of the 1,338 new cases, followed by 296 from Thane city, while Mira Bhayander, Navi Mumbai and Ulhasnagar civic areas reported 160, 115 and 119 cases respectively.

"Thane city accounted for 16 of the 45 deaths in the district on Tuesday. Bhiwandi, for the second day in a row, did not report any deaths, and the new cases also declined to 30," he said.

"The recovery rate in the district is 52.74 per cent while the mortality rate is 2.99 per cent," he added.

Jul 07, 2020 21:34 (IST)

Rajasthan Chief Minister urges ex-servicemen to spread awareness about COVID-19 among villagers

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said ex-servicemen should spread awareness about the coronavirus pandemic in the villages and motivate the common people to adopt preventive measures against the disease.

Mr Gehlot was interacting with ex-servicemen through video conference from the Chief Minister's residence. "Prevention is the only way to avoid this pandemic. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of all of us not to be negligent," he said.

He appealed to the people to avoid going to crowded areas, keep physical distance, wear face masks and thoroughly maintaining health protocols including frequent hand washing.

Jul 07, 2020 21:21 (IST)

500-bed COVID facility at CWG village to begin taking patients from Wednesday: Manish Sisodia

A 500-bed COVID-19 care centre set up at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) village here will start operating from Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are likely to inaugurate the facility. The opening of the COVID-19 care centre will augment the city's bed capacity as the coronavirus cases crossed the one-lakh mark.

On Tuesday, Mr Sisodia inspected the facility and said it has been readied in just six days.

In a tweet, he said the Delhi government's 500-bed luxurious COVID hospital in East Delhi has been readied in just six days and will start taking patients from Wednesday.

Jul 07, 2020 21:02 (IST)

Karnataka government deploys 1,246 employees for contact tracing

The Karnataka government has deployed 1,246 employees from various departments for contact tracing of COVID-19 patients with special focus on Bengaluru and surrounding areas and warned of strict action in case of refusal to undertake the work.

Noting that contact tracing was crucial in controlling COVID-19 spread, Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar in an order on Monday said as more human resources were required for this purpose, group A, B and C officials and workers from various departments have been deputed for contact tracing.

They have been asked to report to senior IAS officer Manjula, who heads a task force on Covid-19 contact tracing.

The move comes at a time when the state is witnessing spike in cases and contacts of a majority of new patients are still under tracing.

Jul 07, 2020 20:28 (IST)

Aurangabad lockdown: Bikes to be seized, riders penalised

Aurangabad municipal commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey on Tuesday said two-wheelers seen on the roads during lockdown between July 10-18 for the coronavirus outbreak will be seized and the riders penalised.

He said autorickshaws and ambulances will be deployed in large numbers to ensure people do not face difficulties for emergency travel.

Mr Pandey said the new phase of lockdown in the city, in which several of the restrictions that were eased have been brought back, was to bring COVID-19 case numbers in control, carry out a large number of antigen tests, and ramp up medical infrastructure.

The aim was track asymptomatic carriers for which 17 swab collection teams have been deployed, Mr Pandey said.

Jul 07, 2020 20:10 (IST)

Process for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials begins at NIMS Hyderabad

The process of conducting clinical trials for Covaxin, a vaccine candidate for COVID-19, began on Tuesday at the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), a top official of the state-run medical facility said.

"We will select healthy individuals and draw blood and send the blood samples to designated labs in New Delhi. They will give the green signal. Then the medicine people will examine and the first shot of the vaccine will be given due observation," NIMS director Dr K Manohar told news agency PTI.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified 12 clinical trial sites such as medical institutions and hospitals, including NIMS, and has asked their principal investigators to ensure that the subject enrollment is initiated no later than July 7.

Jul 07, 2020 19:53 (IST)

Celebrate Ganesh festival with simplicity: Mumbai mayor

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Tuesday expressed the need to celebrate the upcoming Ganesh festival with simplicity.

In her appeal to ''mandals'' or organising bodies, the mayor has asked them to celebrate the festival as an ''Aarogya Utsav''.

Ms Pednekar made this appeal while reviewing preparedness of ''Arogya Utsav'' announced by famous Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.

The mandal has cancelled celebration of the festival, beginning August 22, in a traditional manner in view of the COVID-19 crisis. Instead, it would organise a blood donation camp and a plasma donation programme in coordination with the civic body during the festival period of ten days.

Jul 07, 2020 19:33 (IST)

Naveen Patnaik tells officials to open feedback channel in COVID-19 management

With Odisha's COVID-19 tally crossing the 10,000-mark on Tuesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed officials to include coronavirus management under the "Mo Sarkar" (my government) programme to get feedback from patients and frontline workers. He issued the direction while reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state.

The chief minister also asked COVID-19 observers and senior officers to interact with patients and frontline workers engaged in different COVID hospitals and Temporary Medical Camps (TMCs).

He said direct feedback from stakeholders will help the government to further improve COVID-19 care in Odisha.

Mr Patnaik told the officials to keep families informed on the health status of COVID-19 patients.

It was alleged that once patients are admitted at COVID hospitals, their family members remain in the dark for days together about their health status.

Jul 07, 2020 18:58 (IST)

27 Bengaluru cops test positive for COVID-19 in ten days

Twenty-seven police personnel, including at least 13 of a station, have tested positive for coronavirus in a city division in the last ten days and five of them discharged after treatment, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

All these cases were reported from Whitefield Police Division and 15 of them, including 12 from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) police station, tested positive on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Whitefield) MN Anucheth said.

He termed as ''incorrect'' media reports that the personnel of the HAL station contracted the virus from an accused whom they had arrested.

Jul 07, 2020 18:31 (IST)

COVID-19 outbreak: Street vendors banned in Surat for a week

The Surat Municipal Corporation on Tuesday banned street vendors in Katargam, Varachha and Sarthana areas for seven days to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

The notification on this was issued by Surat civic chief Banchhanidhi Pani, and it comes days after paan shops were ordered shut for a week in the three areas on July 3.

The civic body has asked street food vendors and eateries in other areas to strictly follow social distancing and other norms in place for the outbreak or face fines of Rs 5,000.

Jul 07, 2020 18:06 (IST)

Tourism activities banned in Karnataka's Kodagu after rise in COVID-19 cases

The Karnataka government on Tuesday banned all tourism activities in Kodagu district with immediate effect till further orders, in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

An order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Anis Kanmani Joy said that all resorts and 德扑圈apphomestays to be closed for public and tourists till further orders.

The order has asked owners of 德扑圈apphomestays or resorts not to take any new bookings and ordered to cancel the future bookings and refund the money back.

However, it read that if somebody already is staying in those resorts they can stay till their booking period is over.

Jul 07, 2020 17:43 (IST)

COVID-19 testing crosses 1 crore mark, recovery rate at 61.13 per cent: Ministry

India crossed the one crore COVID-19 testing mark and the recovery rate reached 61.13 per cent on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As per the Union Health Ministry, India has expanded the network of testing labs to 1,115 across the country. The total number of patients who have recovered reached 4,39,947 on Tuesday.

"#COVID19 tests in India cross 1 crore mark, as a result of continuously expanding network of 1,115 testing labs across the country," tweeted the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.

"Recovered #COVID19 patients touch 4,39,947 today. 1,80,390 more recovered cases than active cases, taking India''s recovery rate to 61.13%," it added.

Jul 07, 2020 17:15 (IST)

Fine to be increased for not wearing mask in public places: Yogi Adityanath

Concerned over the increase in coronavirus cases, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that the amount of penalty may be increased for not wearing a mask in public places.

He also directed the health department to issue necessary guidelines in this matter.

"Chief Minister Mr Yogi Adityanath said that if anyone found without a mask in a public places, then the penalty amount can be increased. He has directed the Health Department to issue necessary guidelines in this regard," the Chief Minister''s Office tweeted.

According to the state Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad, a total of 1,346 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases to 9,514 in the state.

Jul 07, 2020 16:57 (IST)

Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 tally rises to 21,197

Andhra Pradesh recorded over 1,000 fresh COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day, taking the aggregate to 21,197 while another 13 patients died, taking the overall toll to 252 on Tuesday.

According to the latest bulletin, a total of 1,178 people tested positive for coronavirus in the state with 1,155 of them being locals.

Twenty-two people from other states and one from abroad also tested positive.

Kurnool continued to report more COVID-19 deaths, with four added on Tuesday, for a total count of 85 so far. Anantapuramu reported three fresh deaths, Chittoor and Visakhapatnam two each and Prakasam and West Godavari one each.

In the last 24 hours, 762 patients had recovered and were discharged from hospitals in the state.

Jul 07, 2020 16:38 (IST)

Haridwar borders sealed to prevent kanwarias from entering amidst pandemic

Days after instructions by Uttarakhand DGP Anil K Raturi, all borders of the holy city of Haridwar have been sealed on Tuesday.

It has been done to restrict the entry of devotees for ''Kanwar Yatra'', in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the state and rest of the country. The decision has been taken in accordance with the guidelines of Unlock-2, in which the government said no religious gathering will be allowed until further orders.

"State government has put a ban on Kanwar Yatra this year, therefore no ''Kanwariya'' will be allowed to enter. We are requesting devotees to return to their states," the Uttarakhand government said.

Jul 07, 2020 15:08 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Shops to be shut for 3 days in case of COVID-19 violations in Madhya Pradesh

Shops, malls, offices and business establishments will be forced to shut for three days if they fail to comply with the COVID-19 prevention guidelines and ensure that visitors follow the norms as well, a district official said on Tuesday.

As per an order issued by Bhopal district collector Avinash Lavania, violators will have to work as "corona warriors" at check posts, fever clinics and carry out coronavirus-related awareness work, PTI reported.

Jul 07, 2020 14:50 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Philippine confirms 1,540 new coronavirus infections, 6 more deaths

The Philippine health ministry on Tuesday confirmed 1,540 new cases of the novel coronavirus and six deaths. In a bulletin, the ministry said total infections have risen to 47,873 while deaths have reached 1,309. Close to a fifth of its cases have come in the past five days, Reuters reported.

Jul 07, 2020 14:25 (IST)

Coronavirus update: Fighting COVID-19, Noida cops step up for plasma donation

Police personnel in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar, which has recorded the maximum COVID-19 cases in the state, have stepped up to offer their blood plasma for treatment of coronavirus patients, officials said Tuesday.

There are currently 19 police personnel in the district who are undergoing treatment for the COVID-19. The disease has claimed the life of one policeman, PTI reported.

Jul 07, 2020 13:46 (IST)

Coronavirus news: 112 fresh COVID-19 cases in Tripura; count rises to 1,693

As many as 112 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura, taking the northeastern state's tally to 1,693 on Tuesday, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has said.

Gomati district registered the highest number of fresh cases at 41 followed by Khowai (40), West district (14), Sepahijala (9), Dhalai and South district (three each) and Unakoti and North districts (one each), PTI reported.

Jul 07, 2020 13:09 (IST)

Coronavirus update: Odisha's COVID-19 tally crosses 10,000-mark

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Odisha crossed the 10,000-mark on Tuesday with 571 fresh infections, while the death count climbed to 42 as four more people died due to the disease, a health department official said.

The total number of cases in the state stands at 10,097, PTI reported.

Jul 07, 2020 12:42 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Odisha's COVID-19 tally crosses 10,000-mark

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Odisha crossed the 10,000-mark on Tuesday with 571 fresh infections, while the toll climbed to 42 as four more people succumbed to the disease, a health department official said, reports PTI.

Jul 07, 2020 12:29 (IST)

COVID-19 news: Infosys Flies Back 200 Employees, Families From US In Chartered Flight

IT giant Infosys flew back some of its employees and their families who were stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus crisis and visa issues. They were flown back in a chartered flight. 200 people, employees and their families, were flown to Bengaluru, reaching early Monday morning. Read Here

Jul 07, 2020 12:06 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Heist At Maharashtra Jewellery Store, Thieves In PPE Suits

Burglars wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kits broke into a jewellery shop in Maharashtra's Satara district and walked away with 780 grams of gold, police said today, reports PTI.

Jul 07, 2020 11:50 (IST)

Australia's Second-Biggest City Under New Coronavirus Lockdown

More than five million people were ordered to stay at 德扑圈apphome in Australia's second-biggest city of Melbourne on Tuesday, reintroducing a partial lockdown as the number of COVID-19 cases surged, reports Reuters.

Jul 07, 2020 11:29 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Delhi Monuments Reopen With Covid Safety Measures, Visitors Steer Clear

Monuments across the national capital reopened Monday amid relaxations from the coronavirus lockdown with Covid safety measures in place. Though the government has restricted the number of visitors to ensure social distancing, the reopening offers hope to tourist guides who have had no source of livelihood since the lockdown was imposed late in March. Read Here

Jul 07, 2020 11:24 (IST)

Issue Death Certificates As Per Guidelines: Bengal Government To Covid Hospitals

The West Bengal government on Monday advised all COVID-19 hospitals in the state to issue death certificates according to the guidelines set by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), reports PTI.

Jul 07, 2020 10:09 (IST)

Coronavirus news: 112 new COVID-19 cases in Tripura

With 112 new COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, the total number of confirmed cases in Tripura till date has reached 1,693, said Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. Besides, a total of 1,219 recoveries have been recorded while 459 cases are active, reports ANI.

Jul 07, 2020 09:47 (IST)

Coronavirus News: India's COVID-19 Tally Crosses 7 Lakh-mark

India's coronavirus count crossed the seven lakh-mark on Monday, just four days after the number of infections in the country reached six lakh. 22,252 fresh cases and 467 deaths in the last 24 has pushed the total cases in the country to 7,19,665 and the death count to 20,160, figures from the Union Health Ministry this morning show.

Jul 07, 2020 08:55 (IST)

A Chennai-based company claims that they have developed 'Etticos Covid-19 Patient Care System', a device that can bridge the gap between Covid-19 patients and health workers.

Tamil Nadu: A Chennai based company claims that they've developed, 'Etticos #COVID19 Patient Care System', a device that can bridge the gap between COVID-19 patients&health workers. Vigneshwar, CEO says,"With this smart button a patient can easily communicate with health workers" pic.twitter.com/92Y8yif8oV
- ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2020

Jul 07, 2020 08:44 (IST)

COVID-19 news: Bengaluru's Big Virus Worry Compared To Delhi, Mumbai and Other Cities

Bengaluru has seen a 15.7 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases over the past three days, data showed on Monday. The city recorded 1,235 new cases on Sunday - its biggest single-day jump and the fourth consecutive 24-hour period with record spikes. Data this evening showed 981 fresh cases. Read Here

Jul 07, 2020 08:36 (IST)

P Vijayalaxmi, a 94-year-old woman in Hyderabad who was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at Gandhi Hospital was discharged from the hospital on Monday.

Hyderabad: P Vijayalaxmi, a 94-year-old woman who was undergoing treatment for #COVID19 at Gandhi Hospital was discharged from the hospital yesterday. #Telanganapic.twitter.com/dbgIuaiXqE
- ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2020

Jul 07, 2020 08:05 (IST)

West Bengal Gets Its First Plasma Bank For COVID-19 Patients

A plasma bank for treating COVID-19 patients has been set up at Kolkata Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), the first of its kind in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday, reports PTI.

Jul 07, 2020 07:48 (IST)

India Has Shown The World Despite COVID-19 Crisis: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said India has shown to the world that despite the crippling coronavirus crisis, the show goes on here as smoothly as during the pre-pandemic times, reports PTI.

Jul 07, 2020 07:28 (IST)

Coronavirus news: 1 Million COVID Tests Claim Sham, Centre Should Probe: Chandrababu Naidu

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government's claim of conducting one million COVID-19 tests is a "sham" as test reports were generated without taking samples.

Jul 07, 2020 07:19 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Over 1,100 People For Clinical Trials Of India's First Covid Vaccine

More than 1,100 people are expected to be enrolled in the first two phases of human clinical trials for COVAXIN - India's first COVID-19 vaccine candidate, an application by developers Bharat Biotech said Friday. Phase I clinical trials are scheduled to start next week, with July 13 set as the date for participant enrolment. Results from Phase I will determine the start of the next phase of testing. Read Here

Jul 07, 2020 07:03 (IST)

425 COVID-19 Deaths In 24 Hours In India, Higher Than US
India recorded 425 deaths coronavirus-linked deaths in the previous 24 hours, Health Ministry data showed Monday morning. Only one country recorded more - Brazil with 602.

The United States, which is the country worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with nearly 29 lakh infections, was third on that list with 271 deaths.

Overall India has reported 19,693 COVID-19-related deaths, compared to 64,867 by Brazil and 1,29,947 by the United States.

India's fatality rate - number of deaths as a percentage of total cases - was 2.8 per cent this morning. This compares well to 3 per cent a week ago and 3.2 per cent two weeks ago. Read