Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Recoveries more than active cases for third consecutive day
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker, India Lockdown News Live Updates: India reported 10,956 new COVID-19 cases and 396 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 2,975,35 and death toll to 8,498.
By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi |
Updated: June 12, 2020 4:12:07 pm
Brothers Kashi Ram 26, and Bal Kishan 21, leave for home after a day’s work in New Delhi.
Coronavirus India News Live Updates: India reported the single-day spike of 10,956 fresh COVID-19 cases and 396 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of infections in the country rose to 2,97,535, including 1,41,842 active cases, 1,47,194 cured and 8,498 deaths, the health ministry said on Friday. The number of recoveries are more than the active novel coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day. With today’s cases, India has surpassed the United Kingdom in terms of coronavirus cases to become the fourth worst-hit country, according to John Hopkins Coronavirus Research Centre.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday said that no coercive action will be taken against private firms which failed to pay full wages during the lockdown period, adding that industries and labourers need each other and efforts should be made to resolve dispute over wage payments. The court asked states to facilitate settlement between firms and employees over wage payment and submit reports before labour commissioners. It also asked the Centre to file an affidavit within 4 weeks on the legality of March 29 circular that mandated payment of full wages during the lockdown.
Globally, 7,514,475 people have been infected with the virus and at least 421,458 have died. As many as 3,540,693 people have recovered across the world so far. The United States, with over 2 lakh infections and 113,820 deaths, remains the worst-hit country.
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Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker, India Lockdown News Live Updates: Nearly 11,000 cases in the last 24 hours, total cases rise to 2,97,535, deaths at 8,498. Globally, 7,514,475 people are infected while over 4.2 lakh have died. Follow LIVE updates here
16:12 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Urban Affairs Ministry strategises for post-COVID metros by encouraging cycling
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) has acknowledged that a 90 per cent dip in public transport volumes in the country during the epidemic will mean that “re-establishing the earlier level of ridership in public transport is a big challenge for cities, as people may be looking for more options especially personal modes that allow for safer travel in the post lockdown scenario.”
“Due to the social distancing norms being practiced, their capacities would be utilized at 25 to 50 percent of pre-corona virus levels. Such dramatic and dynamic changes in demand and supply will require complementing these public transport systems with alternative modes of transit,” according to Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra.
In a three-pronged strategy for re-opening metros in the short, medium and long-term, the MoHUA emphasized the opportunity for encouraging bicycling and pedestrians. The advisory stated that roughly 16 to 57 per cent of urban commuters are pedestrians and 30 to 40 per cent use bicycles in the country. Read more here
16:08 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Guwahati now has 36 containment zones
The number of Containment Zones in Guwahati is increasing rapidly — 36 right now.
15:44 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Worst hit by Covid-19, Maharashtra, Delhi say won’t extend lockdown
Even as India sees a steep rise in the coronavirus cases with consequent jump in the number of deaths, Maharashtra and Delhi, two of the worst-hit states, have rejected the possibilities of extending lockdown. Quelling rumours about a probable reintroduction of a total shutdown in Maharashtra, where the total number of positive cases is nearing 1 lakh, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s office tweeted on Friday: “Lockdown will not be re-announced. Chief Minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has requested and appealed to the people not to crowd anywhere and follow the instructions given by the government.”
In spite of the Supreme Court terming the situation in the national capital “horrific”, the Delhi government too made it clear that the lockdown, imposed as a measure to arrest the spread of the virus, would not be extended in the state. “No, the lockdown will not be extended,” Jain said while replying to a question on whether there have been any discussions to extend the lockdown. Read full story here
14:51 (IST)12 Jun 2020
New Zealand to allow some maritime vessels, cruise ships still banned
New Zealand said on Friday that it would allow entry of some maritime vessels as it looks to open up its economy after lifting all coronavirus restrictions earlier this week. Cruise ships and people travelling for leisure, however, will continue to be banned from entering the country, the government said in a statement.
The government said it will allow entry to those arriving at the maritime border, where there is a compelling need for the vessel to travel to New Zealand.
New Zealand lifted all social and economic restrictions except border controls after declaring on Monday it was free of the coronavirus, one of the first countries in the world to return to pre-pandemic normality. It’s now looking to kick-start its economy that was battered by the lockdown.
14:51 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Final tests of some COVID-19 vaccines to start next month
Moderna Inc. said Thursday the vaccine it is developing with the National Institutes of Health will be tested on 30,000 people in the US. Some will get the real shot and some a dummy shot, as scientists carefully compare which group winds up with the most infections.
With far fewer COVID-19 cases in China, Sinovac Biotech turned to Brazil, the epicenter of Latin America’s outbreak, for at least part of its final testing. The government of Sao Paulo announced Thursday that Sinovac will ship enough of its experimental vaccine to test in 9,000 Brazilians starting next month. If it works, with this vaccine we will be able to immunize millions of Brazilians, said Sao Paulo’s Guv. Joao Doria.
14:47 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Assam: COVID-19 death toll rises to 7 with three deaths reported in a span of five days
One more person succumbed to COVID-19 in Assam today, the third death in the span of five days. The 53-year-old old woman was a cancer patient and returned from Delhi after treatment and was under home quarantine along with her son in South Assam's Hailakandi district. As per a release by the district administration, the duo tested positive on June 6. While the son is still being treated at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the mother died on Friday at the same hospital. On Wednesday, another cancer patient, who had Covid, died in the Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. Before that, a 58-year-old who had returned from Chennai died in Karbi Anglong district on Sunday. He had tested negative when in quarantine. However, he subsequently fell ill and died on the way to the hospital on June 7. His sample tested positive after his death. Assam currently has 1989 active COVID-19 cases.
14:47 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Assam: COVID-19 death toll rises to 7 with three deaths reported in a span of five days
One more person succumbed to COVID-19 in Assam today, the third death in the span of five days. The 53-year-old old woman was a cancer patient and returned from Delhi after treatment and was under home quarantine along with her son in South Assam's Hailakandi district. As per a release by the district administration, the duo tested positive on June 6. While the son is still being treated at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the mother died on Friday at the same hospital. On Wednesday, another cancer patient, who had Covid, died in the Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. Before that, a 58-year-old who had returned from Chennai died in Karbi Anglong district on Sunday. He had tested negative when in quarantine. However, he subsequently fell ill and died on the way to the hospital on June 7. His sample tested positive after his death. Assam currently has 1989 active COVID-19 cases.
14:25 (IST)12 Jun 2020
‘Horrendous, horrific, pathetic’: Supreme Court raps Delhi govt over handling of dead bodies
“The situation in Delhi is horrendous, horrific and pathetic,” the bench said during the hearing.
Taking note of media reports highlighting the lack of care given to the bodies, a bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah said: “The situation in Delhi is horrendous, horrific and pathetic.”
“Very sorry state of affairs in Delhi and inside its hospitals. Look at the treatment meted out to patients. The patients are crying and no one is looking after them. Relatives are not even informed, as reported by media, after the death of patients…,” it added.
13:59 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Explained: Why Indian markets have fallen by up to 3.5%
A man exits from the Money Exchange Office in Mumbai. (Express Photo: Ganesh Shirsekar)
The Indian markets that lost over 2 per cent on Thursday, continued their slide and fell sharply by up to 3.5 per cent in early trading hours on Friday in line with global sell-off as markets worldwide fell sharply following US Federal Reserve’s gloomy picture for the US economy in the coming years and rise in Coronavirus infections in the US and other countries.
The Dow Jones in the US fell sharply by 6.9 per cent on Thursday and the Nasdaq too fell 5.3 per cent. The premier indices in UK, Germany and France also fell sharply between 4 and 4.7 per cent on Thursday. On Friday, the Indian markets opened weak, taking cues from the global markets and the Sensex at BSE fell by up to 1,190 points or 3.5 per cent before recovering by noon to trade at 33,075 down by 1.35 per cent. The Nifty at NSE was down 134 points or 1.36 per cent at noon, trading at 9,767. Read More
13:47 (IST)12 Jun 2020
COVID-19 lockdown: HC, lower courts heard over 18 K cases via video conference
Over 18,000 cases have been heard till June 9 via video conferencing by the Delhi High Court and subordinate courts during the restricted judicial functioning period that began on March 23-24 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The submission was made by the high court registry before a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad. While the Delhi High Court heard 3,787 cases via video conferencing, the subordinate courts heard 14,482 cases till June 9. During the same period, the subordinate courts also heard 23,339 matters through physical hearing, the high court noted while hearing a plea seeking that all kinds of matters be heard via video conferencing during the restricted judicial functioning. -- PTI
13:45 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Guwahati sees spike in Covid cases, now 30 containment zones in city
The spread of the novel coronavirus in Guwahati has emerged as a concern for health authorities in Assam. The city, which has seen a spike in Covid-9 cases, currently has 30 active containment zones.
According to health department data, Assam has reported more than 3,400 Covid-19 cases, including 145 on Thursday and 235 on Wednesday, and six deaths. The state has 1,989 active cases as on Friday morning.
In the Kamrup (Metro) district, under which Guwahati falls, there were a total of 59 active cases till Thursday afternoon, sources said. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said at least 13 persons without travel history have tested positive in the city. “The spread in Guwahati is a matter of concern,” he told the media.
13:42 (IST)12 Jun 2020
You can now find COVID-19 testing centres on Google Search, Assistant and Maps
Google currently has integrated over 700 testing labs across 300 cities under this feature, which is available on Search, Assistant and Maps. (Image: Bloomberg)
Google will now help you find information on nearby COVID-19 testing centres using its Search, Assistant and Maps applications. This new feature is currently available in nine languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati. To provide users with up to date information on authorised COVID-19 testing labs the company is working with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and MyGov.
As of now, Google currently has integrated over 700 testing labs across 300 cities under this feature, which is available on Search, Assistant and Maps. It is currently working with authorities to add more testing labs located across the country.
Google in a feature that was released earlier, also helps users determine test eligibility. It also provides users with all the guidelines that need to be followed before visiting testing labs.
13:41 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Small molecules that can block novel coronavirus identified
The researchers explored inhibitors designed to knock out PLpro and stop replication of the virus.
Scientists have identified a set of small molecules that can block the activity of a key protein in SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, a finding that provides a promising path for new therapeutics for the disease. The team of researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) in the US noted that the SARS-CoV-2 protein PLpro is essential for the replication and the ability of the virus to suppress host immune function.
The compounds, naphthalene-based PLpro inhibitors, are shown to be effective at halting SARS-CoV-2 PLpro activity as well as replication, according to the research published in the journal ACS Infectious Diseases.
13:38 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Amid massive unemployment, Trump considering suspending H-1B, other visas: Report
The proposed suspension could extend into the government’s new fiscal year beginning October 1, when many new visas are issued, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, quoting unnamed administration officials.
13:34 (IST)12 Jun 2020
MCDs cite funerals to put toll at 2,098, almost double Delhi govt count
The last rites of an additional “over 200 suspected cases” were also held as per the Covid-19 protocol.
The three municipal corporations of Delhi said on Thursday that “there have been 2,098 funerals of Covid-19 positive patients” at the designated crematoriums and burial grounds under their jurisdiction so far. The last rites of an additional “over 200 suspected cases” were also held as per the Covid-19 protocol, they said. This is almost double the death toll released by the Delhi government, which stood at 1,085 on Thursday.
Responding to the figure released by the three MCDs, the Delhi government said in a statement: “The Delhi government has set up a Death Audit Committee comprising senior doctors who are working impartially towards assessing deaths caused by coronavirus. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has also declared that the Death Audit Committee is working in an appropriate manner and that the work of the committee cannot be questioned. We believe that not even a single life must be lost to coronavirus. This is a time to unite and save the lives of the people. This is not the time to make allegations after allegations, we all have to fight this pandemic together and ensure that not a single life is lost due to coronavirus.”
13:22 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19: why it matters, where evidence stands
A study from China published in Nature Medicine on April 15 estimated that 44% cases who had contracted the disease had caught the disease from a person who was not showing symptoms. (PTI Photo)
On Monday, the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove claimed that asymptomatic transmission of the disease is “extremely rare.” After queries poured in from around the world, the WHO called a social media interaction in which Van Kerkhove clarified that asymptomatic transmission does happen and that, according to some modelling studies, the incidence of such transmission could be as high as 40%.
A look at why the question of asymptomatic transmission is an important factor in the Covid-19 pandemic, and where the evidence stands.
Asymptomatic transmission is when a person who has no symptoms of Covid-19 — such as fever, body ache, cough etc — transmits the novel coronavirus to another person.
13:21 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Top ten states with maximum caseload
Top ten states with maximum caseload
STATE
TOTAL POSITIVE
NEW CASES
TOTAL RECOVERIES
DEATHS
Maharashtra
97,648
3,607
46,078
3,590
Tamil Nadu
38,716
1,875
20,705
349
Delhi
34,687
1,877
12,731
1,085
Gujarat
22,067
513
15,101
1,385
Uttar Pradesh
12,088
478
7,292
345
Rajasthan
11,725
238
8,662
265
Madhya Pradesh
10,241
192
7,042
431
West Bengal
9,768
440
3,988
442
Karnataka
6,245
204
2,976
74
Bihar
5,958
260
3,086
34
13:20 (IST)12 Jun 2020
India coronavirus numbers explained: Deaths becoming hard to handle
On Thursday, 357 deaths were reported across the country, a big jump from previous days’ numbers.
As India keeps on adding more and more novel Coronavirus cases each day, the most worrisome metric now is the consequent rise in the number of deaths. Although deaths as a proportion of total number of cases has actually gone down in the last one month, in absolute terms, it is becoming a big number, something that is testing the capacities of hospitals and cremation grounds, especially because these deaths are concentrated in a small number of places.
On Thursday, 357 deaths were reported across the country, a big jump from previous days’ numbers. Before this, the maximum number of deaths reported on a single day was 294. A month ago, less than 100 deaths were being reported every day. In this last one month, 190 deaths have been reported every day on an average. The total number of deaths has climbed from 2,206 on May 11, to 8,102 on June 11.
13:19 (IST)12 Jun 2020
Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding in the state and follow the government's instructions to stay safe. "The lockdown has not been reimposed. CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding. He has earnestly requested them to follow the Govt's instructions and take necessary precautions to stay safe and take care," Maharashtra CMO tweeted.
The lockdown has not been reimposed. CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding. He has earnestly requested them to follow the Govt's instructions and take necessary precautions to stay safe and take care.
SC seeks reply from Delhi, Maharashtra, WB and TN on improper handling of Covid-19 patients
The Supreme Court Friday also heard a matter pertaining to alleged harassment of Covid-19 positive patients and mishandling of bodies of those who succumb to the virus. During the hearing, the court said that hospitals are not giving due care to keeping of bodies and not even informing family members about deaths. The bench sought reply from Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on suo motu case related to improper handling of Covid-19 patients.
The court also sought Centre's reply by June 17 on steps taken to deal with Covid-19 patients and bodies of infected persons.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: The coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the coronavirus care centres (Express photo by Arul Horizon)
Coronavirus India News Live Updates
The ICMR has termed the lockdown phases as "successful" in containing the rapid spread of the virus. Less than one per cent of 26,400 people, randomly chosen from 65 districts with varied caseloads, were exposed to the coronavirus in the first month of the national lockdown, according to the first phase of a nationwide sampling to check for the pandemic’s spread via testing for antibodies.
The spike in cases has pushed states to seek requisitions of isolation coaches from the Indian Railways to accommodate as beds for Covid positive patients and avoid overwhelming the health infrastructure. The Centre has warned that five most affected states — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh — going by current trends, are projected to fall short in terms of ICU beds and ventilators between June and August.
After almost two months, the railways' isolation coaches have finally found takers -- Uttar Pradesh has asked for 240 such coaches for 24 locations, Telangana has requisitioned 60 for three places and Delhi has asked for 10 such coaches as COVID-19 cases in India close in on the three lakh mark.
The railways' first such COVID-19 care centre was deployed at Shakur Basti railway stations in Delhi on May 31. It consisted of 10 coaches with a capacity of 160 beds. The coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the coronavirus care centres according to guidelines issued by the health ministry.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: A lab technician extracts portions of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate during testing at the Chula Vaccine Research Center, run by Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Vaccine Latest Update: Even though the US and China seem to be on the global frontline in terms of developing a Covid-19 vaccine, an Italian Health Ministry official said Europe was far ahead in the race and the results of an ongoing research could lead to first doses “by autumn-winter”.
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has decided to expedite the start of human clinical trials for its experimental Covid-19 vaccine by two months to the second half of July. The move saw its shares rising nearly 2 per cent to $148.69. On the other hand, Moderna Inc has started testing its vaccine candidate in a 600-subject mid-stage trial.
Coming to India, New Delhi-based biotechnology company Panacea Biotec has partnered with US-based Refana Inc to develop, manufacture and distribute an experimental Covid-19 vaccine, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, the number of people who have recovered from Covid-19 disease in India is now more than those who are still sick. However, apart from being an interesting milestone, this statistic has little relevance.
This doesn’t mark the beginning of the end of the epidemic, nor is it the arrival of the “peak”. It does not mean either that the number of cases would be declining from now on. In fact, once the number of deaths is brought into the equation, 8,102 at last count, it becomes clear that less than 50 per cent of the total infected people (2.86 lakh) have recovered so far. The total recoveries, in fact, work out to 49 per cent of all cases.
More importantly, total recoveries and the number of active cases are not comparable metrics. Total recoveries account for everyone who has recovered from the disease since the start of the outbreak. It is an accumulated number. Active cases, on the other hand, are only those that have been infected in the last 14 days, if it is assumed that every infected person, apart from those who die, is recovering in 14 days. So the comparison being made is between a number that has accumulated over three months, and increasing, which is the case in India right now, and a number that has emerged in the last two weeks.
Brothers Kashi Ram 26, and Bal Kishan 21, leave for home after a day’s work in New Delhi.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: The coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the coronavirus care centres (Express photo by Arul Horizon)
Coronavirus LIVE updates: A lab technician extracts portions of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate during testing at the Chula Vaccine Research Center, run by Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) has acknowledged that a 90 per cent dip in public transport volumes in the country during the epidemic will mean that “re-establishing the earlier level of ridership in public transport is a big challenge for cities, as people may be looking for more options especially personal modes that allow for safer travel in the post lockdown scenario.”
“Due to the social distancing norms being practiced, their capacities would be utilized at 25 to 50 percent of pre-corona virus levels. Such dramatic and dynamic changes in demand and supply will require complementing these public transport systems with alternative modes of transit,” according to Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra.
In a three-pronged strategy for re-opening metros in the short, medium and long-term, the MoHUA emphasized the opportunity for encouraging bicycling and pedestrians. The advisory stated that roughly 16 to 57 per cent of urban commuters are pedestrians and 30 to 40 per cent use bicycles in the country. Read more here
The number of Containment Zones in Guwahati is increasing rapidly — 36 right now.
Even as India sees a steep rise in the coronavirus cases with consequent jump in the number of deaths, Maharashtra and Delhi, two of the worst-hit states, have rejected the possibilities of extending lockdown. Quelling rumours about a probable reintroduction of a total shutdown in Maharashtra, where the total number of positive cases is nearing 1 lakh, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s office tweeted on Friday: “Lockdown will not be re-announced. Chief Minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has requested and appealed to the people not to crowd anywhere and follow the instructions given by the government.”
In spite of the Supreme Court terming the situation in the national capital “horrific”, the Delhi government too made it clear that the lockdown, imposed as a measure to arrest the spread of the virus, would not be extended in the state. “No, the lockdown will not be extended,” Jain said while replying to a question on whether there have been any discussions to extend the lockdown. Read full story here
New Zealand said on Friday that it would allow entry of some maritime vessels as it looks to open up its economy after lifting all coronavirus restrictions earlier this week. Cruise ships and people travelling for leisure, however, will continue to be banned from entering the country, the government said in a statement.
The government said it will allow entry to those arriving at the maritime border, where there is a compelling need for the vessel to travel to New Zealand.
New Zealand lifted all social and economic restrictions except border controls after declaring on Monday it was free of the coronavirus, one of the first countries in the world to return to pre-pandemic normality. It’s now looking to kick-start its economy that was battered by the lockdown.
Moderna Inc. said Thursday the vaccine it is developing with the National Institutes of Health will be tested on 30,000 people in the US. Some will get the real shot and some a dummy shot, as scientists carefully compare which group winds up with the most infections.
With far fewer COVID-19 cases in China, Sinovac Biotech turned to Brazil, the epicenter of Latin America’s outbreak, for at least part of its final testing. The government of Sao Paulo announced Thursday that Sinovac will ship enough of its experimental vaccine to test in 9,000 Brazilians starting next month. If it works, with this vaccine we will be able to immunize millions of Brazilians, said Sao Paulo’s Guv. Joao Doria.
One more person succumbed to COVID-19 in Assam today, the third death in the span of five days. The 53-year-old old woman was a cancer patient and returned from Delhi after treatment and was under home quarantine along with her son in South Assam's Hailakandi district. As per a release by the district administration, the duo tested positive on June 6. While the son is still being treated at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the mother died on Friday at the same hospital. On Wednesday, another cancer patient, who had Covid, died in the Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. Before that, a 58-year-old who had returned from Chennai died in Karbi Anglong district on Sunday. He had tested negative when in quarantine. However, he subsequently fell ill and died on the way to the hospital on June 7. His sample tested positive after his death. Assam currently has 1989 active COVID-19 cases.
One more person succumbed to COVID-19 in Assam today, the third death in the span of five days. The 53-year-old old woman was a cancer patient and returned from Delhi after treatment and was under home quarantine along with her son in South Assam's Hailakandi district. As per a release by the district administration, the duo tested positive on June 6. While the son is still being treated at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the mother died on Friday at the same hospital. On Wednesday, another cancer patient, who had Covid, died in the Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. Before that, a 58-year-old who had returned from Chennai died in Karbi Anglong district on Sunday. He had tested negative when in quarantine. However, he subsequently fell ill and died on the way to the hospital on June 7. His sample tested positive after his death. Assam currently has 1989 active COVID-19 cases.
Terming the situation as “horrific”, the Supreme Court on Friday rapped the Delhi government over its mismanagement of dead bodies and said that the treatment meted out to the Covid-19 patients was “worse than (that given to) animals”.
Taking note of media reports highlighting the lack of care given to the bodies, a bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah said: “The situation in Delhi is horrendous, horrific and pathetic.”
“Very sorry state of affairs in Delhi and inside its hospitals. Look at the treatment meted out to patients. The patients are crying and no one is looking after them. Relatives are not even informed, as reported by media, after the death of patients…,” it added.
The Indian markets that lost over 2 per cent on Thursday, continued their slide and fell sharply by up to 3.5 per cent in early trading hours on Friday in line with global sell-off as markets worldwide fell sharply following US Federal Reserve’s gloomy picture for the US economy in the coming years and rise in Coronavirus infections in the US and other countries.
The Dow Jones in the US fell sharply by 6.9 per cent on Thursday and the Nasdaq too fell 5.3 per cent. The premier indices in UK, Germany and France also fell sharply between 4 and 4.7 per cent on Thursday. On Friday, the Indian markets opened weak, taking cues from the global markets and the Sensex at BSE fell by up to 1,190 points or 3.5 per cent before recovering by noon to trade at 33,075 down by 1.35 per cent. The Nifty at NSE was down 134 points or 1.36 per cent at noon, trading at 9,767. Read More
Over 18,000 cases have been heard till June 9 via video conferencing by the Delhi High Court and subordinate courts during the restricted judicial functioning period that began on March 23-24 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The submission was made by the high court registry before a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad. While the Delhi High Court heard 3,787 cases via video conferencing, the subordinate courts heard 14,482 cases till June 9. During the same period, the subordinate courts also heard 23,339 matters through physical hearing, the high court noted while hearing a plea seeking that all kinds of matters be heard via video conferencing during the restricted judicial functioning. -- PTI
The spread of the novel coronavirus in Guwahati has emerged as a concern for health authorities in Assam. The city, which has seen a spike in Covid-9 cases, currently has 30 active containment zones.
According to health department data, Assam has reported more than 3,400 Covid-19 cases, including 145 on Thursday and 235 on Wednesday, and six deaths. The state has 1,989 active cases as on Friday morning.
In the Kamrup (Metro) district, under which Guwahati falls, there were a total of 59 active cases till Thursday afternoon, sources said. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said at least 13 persons without travel history have tested positive in the city. “The spread in Guwahati is a matter of concern,” he told the media.
Google will now help you find information on nearby COVID-19 testing centres using its Search, Assistant and Maps applications. This new feature is currently available in nine languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati. To provide users with up to date information on authorised COVID-19 testing labs the company is working with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and MyGov.
As of now, Google currently has integrated over 700 testing labs across 300 cities under this feature, which is available on Search, Assistant and Maps. It is currently working with authorities to add more testing labs located across the country.
Google in a feature that was released earlier, also helps users determine test eligibility. It also provides users with all the guidelines that need to be followed before visiting testing labs.
Scientists have identified a set of small molecules that can block the activity of a key protein in SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, a finding that provides a promising path for new therapeutics for the disease. The team of researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) in the US noted that the SARS-CoV-2 protein PLpro is essential for the replication and the ability of the virus to suppress host immune function.
The compounds, naphthalene-based PLpro inhibitors, are shown to be effective at halting SARS-CoV-2 PLpro activity as well as replication, according to the research published in the journal ACS Infectious Diseases.
US President Donald Trump is considering suspending a number of employment visas including the H-1B, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, in view of the massive unemployment in America due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a media report.
The proposed suspension could extend into the government’s new fiscal year beginning October 1, when many new visas are issued, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, quoting unnamed administration officials.
The three municipal corporations of Delhi said on Thursday that “there have been 2,098 funerals of Covid-19 positive patients” at the designated crematoriums and burial grounds under their jurisdiction so far. The last rites of an additional “over 200 suspected cases” were also held as per the Covid-19 protocol, they said. This is almost double the death toll released by the Delhi government, which stood at 1,085 on Thursday.
Responding to the figure released by the three MCDs, the Delhi government said in a statement: “The Delhi government has set up a Death Audit Committee comprising senior doctors who are working impartially towards assessing deaths caused by coronavirus. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has also declared that the Death Audit Committee is working in an appropriate manner and that the work of the committee cannot be questioned. We believe that not even a single life must be lost to coronavirus. This is a time to unite and save the lives of the people. This is not the time to make allegations after allegations, we all have to fight this pandemic together and ensure that not a single life is lost due to coronavirus.”
On Monday, the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove claimed that asymptomatic transmission of the disease is “extremely rare.” After queries poured in from around the world, the WHO called a social media interaction in which Van Kerkhove clarified that asymptomatic transmission does happen and that, according to some modelling studies, the incidence of such transmission could be as high as 40%.
A look at why the question of asymptomatic transmission is an important factor in the Covid-19 pandemic, and where the evidence stands.
What is asymptomatic transmission?
Asymptomatic transmission is when a person who has no symptoms of Covid-19 — such as fever, body ache, cough etc — transmits the novel coronavirus to another person.
Top ten states with maximum caseload
DEATHS
As India keeps on adding more and more novel Coronavirus cases each day, the most worrisome metric now is the consequent rise in the number of deaths. Although deaths as a proportion of total number of cases has actually gone down in the last one month, in absolute terms, it is becoming a big number, something that is testing the capacities of hospitals and cremation grounds, especially because these deaths are concentrated in a small number of places.
On Thursday, 357 deaths were reported across the country, a big jump from previous days’ numbers. Before this, the maximum number of deaths reported on a single day was 294. A month ago, less than 100 deaths were being reported every day. In this last one month, 190 deaths have been reported every day on an average. The total number of deaths has climbed from 2,206 on May 11, to 8,102 on June 11.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding in the state and follow the government's instructions to stay safe. "The lockdown has not been reimposed. CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding. He has earnestly requested them to follow the Govt's instructions and take necessary precautions to stay safe and take care," Maharashtra CMO tweeted.
The Supreme Court Friday also heard a matter pertaining to alleged harassment of Covid-19 positive patients and mishandling of bodies of those who succumb to the virus. During the hearing, the court said that hospitals are not giving due care to keeping of bodies and not even informing family members about deaths. The bench sought reply from Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on suo motu case related to improper handling of Covid-19 patients.
The court also sought Centre's reply by June 17 on steps taken to deal with Covid-19 patients and bodies of infected persons.