Coronavirus India LIVE Updates: Tamil Nadu CM announces lockdown in Chennai\, 3 districts from June 19-30
Coronavirus India LIVE Updates: ICMR recommends use of rapid antigen kits for testing in containment zones
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker, India Lockdown News Live Updates: With over 11,500 fresh cases reported in the last 24 hours, the COVID infections in India on Monday rose to 3.32 lakh. The death toll also crossed the 9,500-mak to stand at 9520 deaths. While nearly 1.7 lakh people have recovered, there are over 1.5 lakh active infections in the country.
By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi |
Updated: June 15, 2020 5:37:36 pm
Health volunteers check the temperature at Gul Mohammed Chawl in Dharavi (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Coronavirus India News Live Updates: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of rapid antigen test kits for diagnosis of COVID-19 in containment zones and healthcare settings in combination with the RT-PCR test. The kits will allow faster diagnosis without laboratory examination.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami Monday announced a complete lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram districts from June 19 to June 30. However, grocery shops, hotels (only takeaways) and other shops selling essential items will remain open between 6 am and 2 pm during the lockdown.
With over 11,500 fresh cases reported in the last 24 hours, the COVID infections in India on Monday rose to 3.32 lakh. The death toll also crossed the 9,500-mak to stand at 9520 deaths. While nearly 1.7 lakh people have recovered, there are over 1.5 lakh active infections in the country. Maharashtra, the worst-affected state, has over 1 lakh cases, followed by Tamil Nadu and Delhi. India is the fourth country worst-hit by coronavirus, after the United States, Brazil, and Russia. Globally, over 7.9 million people have been infected with more than 4.3 lakh deaths.
Live Blog
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker, India Lockdown News Live Updates: Over 3.32 lakh cases in India, 9520 deaths; Home Minister Amit Shah chairs an all-party meet in Delhi. Follow LIVE updates
16:51 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Kerala allows short visits: Here are the guidelines
Kerala has issued orders allowing people to travel to the state for short visits without going into mandatory quarantine subject to a set of conditions prescribed by the government. The order, part of the relaxations in the lockdown restrictions, will apply to people travelling to the state for purposes including official, business, medical, court cases, property management etc. Click here to read all the guidelines.
(AP photo)
16:14 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Rahul Gandhi quotes Einstein to take swipe at govt
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the governmentusing a quote of world-renowned physicist Albert Einstein on Monday, saying the only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance.
Full lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram from June 19
Tamil Nadu CM Monday announced complete lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram districts from June 19 to June 30. Grocery, hotels (parcel only) and other necessary item shops will remain open between 6 am and 2 pm.
TN CM Edappadi announces complete lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram districts from June 19 to June 30. Grocery, hotels (parcel only) and other necessary Item shops will remain open between 6 am and 2 pm. @IndianExpress
Five new Covid cases in Mizoram; count rises to 117
Five women have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, raising the state's tally to 117, a Health Department official said on Monday. All new patients, who had recently returned to the state from Delhi, are from Mamit district, he said. "A total of 682 samples were tested at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on Sunday and five of them were found positive," the official said. (PTI)
15:05 (IST)15 Jun 2020
From crowded tubes to pedal power, London’s COVID transport challenge
The crowded daily commute in London has long been a source of misery for millions. But getting to work will be even more of a challenge following Britain’s coronavirus lockdown.
Capacity on the transport network in one of the world’s biggest financial hubs has been reduced by 85% to comply with social-distancing rules, protecting commuters by preventing them cramming into trains, the London Underground and buses.
Everyone using public transport must also now wear a face covering. As the lockdown restrictions are gradually eased, many now face the quandary of how to reach the City of London, Canary Wharf and other business areas both quickly and safely. (Reuters)
(AP photo)
14:57 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Airlines can take bookings for middle seats, passengers must wear ‘wrap-around’ gowns: Bombay HC
In a relief to both domestic and international airlines, the Bombay High Court on Monday allowed them to fill up middle seats, in compliance with the May 31 circular issued by the Civil Aviation, on the condition that passengers wear 'wrap-around gowns' and that standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are followed. More details here.
(Source: Twitter/Air India)
14:34 (IST)15 Jun 2020
No lockdown plans for Delhi, says CM Arvind Kejriwal amid speculation
Amid the surge in COVID cases in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that the government has no plans to impose lockdown in the capital. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal wrote, “Many people are speculating whether another lockdown in Delhi in being planned. There are no such plans.” With over 41,000 cases, Delhi has the third highest cases in the country.
Many people are speculating whether another lockdown in Delhi in being planned. There are no such plans.
An expert committee of health professionals constituted by the TN govt met CM Edappadi today. The team has recommended tightening the relaxations in Chennai to stem the spread of the virus. The committee also urged the public not to ignore mild symptoms of COVID. Tamil Nadu is the second worst-hit state with nearly 45,000 cases.
13:38 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Telangana caps testing charges, rules out community transmission
The Telangana government has decided to cap the testing rates in private labs at Rs 2,200. The treatment charges in private hospital has been capped at Rs 4000 per day for isolation ward, Rs 7500 per day for ICU without a ventilator, Rs 9000 per day for ICU with ventilator facility. Chief Minister KCR directed officials to conduct tests to about 50,000 people in 30 Assembly constituencies in 10 days to build confidence among the public. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said the state has conducted 42,000 tests till date and ruled out any community transmission.Only a few commuters on a road near Charminar during ongoing COVID-19 in Hyderabad (PTI/File)
13:17 (IST)15 Jun 2020
No plan to impose lockdown again in Gujarat: Rupani
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday said his government does not plan to impose lockdown again in the state. Dismissing speculations on social media platforms about the lockdown, the chief minister urged people not to get carried away by such “unfounded rumours”. “Following the unlock from June 1, daily life is gradually becoming normal. Business and trade-related activities have also picked up in the state. In such a scenario, the state government does not have any plans to impose the lockdown again,” Rupani said in a statement. (PTI)
13:10 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Sri Lanka stages mock election to test coronavirus measures
Sri Lanka on Sunday conducted a mock election exercise to test its coronavirus measures ahead of a parliamentary vote in August. The election was scheduled for April 25 but was postponed indefinitely after the COVID-19 outbreak. The election commission said Wednesday the vote would now be held on August 5. Voters will also be required to bring their own pen or pencil to mark ballot papers. The virus has so far infected nearly 2,000 people and killed 11. (Deutsche Welle)
A Sri Lankan police officer in protective suit directs porters outside a market place in Colombo (AP)
12:55 (IST)15 Jun 2020
In Gujarat, Rajasthan, and MP, daily cases and deaths largely constant
Along with the remarkable slowing of the infection, these three states have also been reporting an unusual consistency in the number of new cases every day. For over a month now, these numbers have been largely confined to narrow ranges – between 300 and 400 in Gujarat, 200-300 in Rajasthan, and 150-250 in Madhya Pradesh — official data show. Daily death numbers have been similarly consistent. A limit on testing capacities could have been a possible explanation for this unusual uniformity. Amitabh Sinha writes
A limit on testing capacities could have been a possible explanation for this unusual uniformity.
12:51 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Those visiting Kerala for short visit should provide local itinerary
In a new advisory, Kerala has made it mandatory for all those visiting the state for short durations to provide details of local itinerary along with the purpose of visit, local accommodation, and contact person
Kerala Govt issues SOP & health advisories for short visits to the state; says,"They (visitors) shall provide details of local itinerary along with purpose of visit, local accommodation&contact person. Any deviations from this shall be informed to authorities with valid reasons." pic.twitter.com/bqLtSYSP86
ExplainSpeaking: Why Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan should not make India turn away from international trade
Economic nationalism often comes at the cost of the wellbeing of domestic consumers while protecting inefficiencies of the domestic producers, who know how to lobby. Coming back to the notion of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. As much as these are desirable goals, in the modern economy, they are often either not achievable or achievable in a counter-productive manner. In the weeks and months ahead, we hope to see concrete policy steps towards achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat because without them, it will repeat the tepid track record of the Make In India initiative, writes Udit Misra in this week's ExplainSpeaking column
A Pune store with products marked as ‘swadeshi’ and ‘videshi’. (Express photo: Ashish Kale)
11:45 (IST)15 Jun 2020
As church reopens, a drive-in Mass in Bengaluru parking lot
For its first prayer service since the lockdown, the Protestant church came up with a concept of ‘Worship on Wheels (WOW)’, a drive-in Mass where people could take part in the service while in their cars or on their bikes. Rev Johnson V, pastor-in-charge of BAGCIWC, said that while the church live-streamed daily prayers and the Sunday Mass throughout the lockdown period, they decided to come up with an alternative arrangement once the church reopened its doors. (Ralph Alex Arakal reports)
Hundreds attend 'Worship on Wheels', a drive-in Sunday prayer service that took place in Bethel AG Church International Worship Centre, Hebbal, Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/H94PlJdygX
Watch: Covid hospital in Maharashtra flooded after heavy downpour
Heavy pre-monsoon showers in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district led to flooding of the ground floor of the COVID-19 hospital, forcing its staff to shift patients to upper floors in midnight, an official said on Sunday. The city in north Maharashtra started receiving downpour on Saturday late night which continued for at least two hours, said an official from the Godavari Medical College where COVID-19 patients were being treated. The patients were on the ground floor as many of them and their relatives are more than 50-year old, he said. (PTI)
#WATCH Maharashtra: Rainwater entered the emergency ward of Dr Ulhas Patil Medical College and Hospital in Jalgaon yesterday. According to hospital authorities, 7-8 patients who were admitted in the ward were safely evacuated. pic.twitter.com/rUml6qZfVJ
First vaccines may not prevent you from getting Covid: Experts
Desperation for a way to keep economies from collapsing under the weight of Covid-19 could mean settling for a vaccine that prevents people from getting really sick or dying but doesn’t stop them from catching the coronavirus. As countries emerge warily from lockdowns, leaders are looking to a preventive shot as the route to return to pre-pandemic life. Fueled by billions of dollars in government investment, vaccines from little-known companies like China’s CanSino Biologics Inc. and giants like Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc are in development. Read this Bloomberg report
10:39 (IST)15 Jun 2020
After red flags, Delhi scraps order converting nursing homes into Covid-19 facilities
A day after it declared all nursing homes in the Capital with capacities of 10-49 beds as Covid-only, the Delhi government withdrew the orderamid red flags from owners of such establishments, as well as apprehensions raised during a meeting on Sunday morning between Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Highly placed sources said it was suggested to the Delhi government during Sunday’s meeting that it should reconsider the order since it could lead to mixing of Covid patients with existing non-Covid patients at these nursing homes. Besides, such a move would also call for an upgradation of existing infrastructure at these facilities. Shivam Patel reports
10:24 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Pandemic leads to a bicycle boom, and shortage, around world
Fitness junkies locked out of gyms, commuters fearful of public transit, and families going stir crazy inside their homes during the coronavirus pandemic have created a boom in bicycle sales unseen in decades. Bicycle sales over the past two months saw their biggest spike in the US since the oil crisis of the 1970s, said Jay Townley, who analyses cycling industry trends at Human Powered Solutions.
The trend is mirrored around the globe, as cities better known for car-clogged streets, like Manila and Rome, install bike lanes to accommodate surging interest in cycling while public transport remains curtailed. In London, municipal authorities plan to go further by banning cars from some central thoroughfares. (AP)
Around the world, many workers were looking for an alternative to buses and subways. (AP)
10:10 (IST)15 Jun 2020
Mumbai local trains resume; to ferry essential service workers
Starting Monday, booking windows at select suburban railway stations in Mumbai are set to reopen as both the Central and Western Railway will run train services for the first time since March 23, but only for the 1.25 lakh commuters identified by the state government as essential service workers. The train services will not be available for the general public, a joint press release from Western and Central Railways late on Sunday said.
Mumbai: Western Railway(WR) resumes its selected suburban services from today only for movement of essential staff as identified by state govt. 60 pairs of WR's 12 car suburban services b/w Churchgate&Dahanu Road to ply for essential staff. Visuals from Churchgate railway station pic.twitter.com/10szOOVncD
Migrants getting their temperature checked in Pune. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker, India Lockdown News Live Updates:
The peak stage of Covid-19 in India may arrive around mid-November during which there could be a paucity of isolation and ICU beds, and ventilators, according to a study. The study conducted by researchers from an Operations Research Group constituted by the ICMR also said the implementation of eight-week lockdown along with strengthened public health measures delayed the peak of the pandemic by an estimated 34 to 76 days and helped bring down the number of infections by 69 to 97 per cent. This allowed time for the healthcare system to shore up resources and infrastructure.
Apart from Shah, LG Anil Baijal and Kejriwal, those who attended the meeting include Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, members of the State Disaster Management Authority and senior officers from the Home and Health ministries. The home minister has also called a separate meeting in the evening with the mayors of Delhi's three municipal corporations -- North, South and East -- and commissioners of the civic bodies to discuss the coronavirus situation in the capital.
In the beginning of May, when the country was entering the third phase of the lockdown, the colour-coded classification set by the central government put almost all of Northeast entirely in the green zone, reflecting only a handful of reported cases: 43 in Assam, 12 in Meghalaya, 2 in Manipur, 2 in Tripura, 1 in Mizoram, 1 in Arunachal Pradesh and none in Nagaland.
Cut to June, the region accounts for more than 5,000 cases — with Assam taking the lead, followed by Tripura, with Manipur not far behind. A significant chunk of this surge can be traced entirely to returnees, or those who have come back to their home states after the opening up of inter-state borders on May 17. While Assam has reported cases since April 1 and is now the most affected state with its current tally at 3,693 (2,098 active), the other states, too, are witnessing a considerable rise every day.
Kerala has decided to allow some exemptions in its complete clampdown on Sundays, in view of the relaxations been provided since Monday. The exemptions will apply only in non-containment zones. With places of worship reopening partly since June 9, devotees moving to or back from such places are exempt from the Sunday shutdown.
The Maharashtra government has approved the use of homeopathy medicine “Arsenic Album 30” for the general population as a prophylactic and an immunity booster against the disease. Apart from this, the state government has also set up a task force and has come up with a list of Unani and Ayurvedic medicines like Agastya Haritaki, Ayush 64 as well as sesame oil, as measures against Covid-19.
Epidemiologists, both within the government and outside, say the crucial metric that helps decipher both the course of the pandemic as well as the success of the government in tackling Covid-19 is the death toll. Therefore, it is the death toll that should be the point of focus right now. At 2.86 per cent, India’s death rate from Covid is far lower than the international experience.
However, areas previously unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic are reporting rapid rise in the infections in the country.
Health volunteers check the temperature at Gul Mohammed Chawl in Dharavi (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Migrants getting their temperature checked in Pune. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)
Kerala has issued orders allowing people to travel to the state for short visits without going into mandatory quarantine subject to a set of conditions prescribed by the government. The order, part of the relaxations in the lockdown restrictions, will apply to people travelling to the state for purposes including official, business, medical, court cases, property management etc. Click here to read all the guidelines.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the government using a quote of world-renowned physicist Albert Einstein on Monday, saying the only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance.
Tamil Nadu CM Monday announced complete lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram districts from June 19 to June 30. Grocery, hotels (parcel only) and other necessary item shops will remain open between 6 am and 2 pm.
Five women have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, raising the state's tally to 117, a Health Department official said on Monday. All new patients, who had recently returned to the state from Delhi, are from Mamit district, he said. "A total of 682 samples were tested at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on Sunday and five of them were found positive," the official said. (PTI)
The crowded daily commute in London has long been a source of misery for millions. But getting to work will be even more of a challenge following Britain’s coronavirus lockdown.
Capacity on the transport network in one of the world’s biggest financial hubs has been reduced by 85% to comply with social-distancing rules, protecting commuters by preventing them cramming into trains, the London Underground and buses.
Everyone using public transport must also now wear a face covering. As the lockdown restrictions are gradually eased, many now face the quandary of how to reach the City of London, Canary Wharf and other business areas both quickly and safely. (Reuters)
In a relief to both domestic and international airlines, the Bombay High Court on Monday allowed them to fill up middle seats, in compliance with the May 31 circular issued by the Civil Aviation, on the condition that passengers wear 'wrap-around gowns' and that standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are followed. More details here.
Amid the surge in COVID cases in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that the government has no plans to impose lockdown in the capital. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal wrote, “Many people are speculating whether another lockdown in Delhi in being planned. There are no such plans.” With over 41,000 cases, Delhi has the third highest cases in the country.
An expert committee of health professionals constituted by the TN govt met CM Edappadi today. The team has recommended tightening the relaxations in Chennai to stem the spread of the virus. The committee also urged the public not to ignore mild symptoms of COVID. Tamil Nadu is the second worst-hit state with nearly 45,000 cases.
The Telangana government has decided to cap the testing rates in private labs at Rs 2,200. The treatment charges in private hospital has been capped at Rs 4000 per day for isolation ward, Rs 7500 per day for ICU without a ventilator, Rs 9000 per day for ICU with ventilator facility. Chief Minister KCR directed officials to conduct tests to about 50,000 people in 30 Assembly constituencies in 10 days to build confidence among the public. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said the state has conducted 42,000 tests till date and ruled out any community transmission.
Only a few commuters on a road near Charminar during ongoing COVID-19 in Hyderabad (PTI/File)
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday said his government does not plan to impose lockdown again in the state. Dismissing speculations on social media platforms about the lockdown, the chief minister urged people not to get carried away by such “unfounded rumours”. “Following the unlock from June 1, daily life is gradually becoming normal. Business and trade-related activities have also picked up in the state. In such a scenario, the state government does not have any plans to impose the lockdown again,” Rupani said in a statement. (PTI)
Sri Lanka on Sunday conducted a mock election exercise to test its coronavirus measures ahead of a parliamentary vote in August. The election was scheduled for April 25 but was postponed indefinitely after the COVID-19 outbreak. The election commission said Wednesday the vote would now be held on August 5. Voters will also be required to bring their own pen or pencil to mark ballot papers. The virus has so far infected nearly 2,000 people and killed 11. (Deutsche Welle)
Along with the remarkable slowing of the infection, these three states have also been reporting an unusual consistency in the number of new cases every day. For over a month now, these numbers have been largely confined to narrow ranges – between 300 and 400 in Gujarat, 200-300 in Rajasthan, and 150-250 in Madhya Pradesh — official data show. Daily death numbers have been similarly consistent. A limit on testing capacities could have been a possible explanation for this unusual uniformity. Amitabh Sinha writes
In a new advisory, Kerala has made it mandatory for all those visiting the state for short durations to provide details of local itinerary along with the purpose of visit, local accommodation, and contact person
Economic nationalism often comes at the cost of the wellbeing of domestic consumers while protecting inefficiencies of the domestic producers, who know how to lobby. Coming back to the notion of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. As much as these are desirable goals, in the modern economy, they are often either not achievable or achievable in a counter-productive manner. In the weeks and months ahead, we hope to see concrete policy steps towards achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat because without them, it will repeat the tepid track record of the Make In India initiative, writes Udit Misra in this week's ExplainSpeaking column
For its first prayer service since the lockdown, the Protestant church came up with a concept of ‘Worship on Wheels (WOW)’, a drive-in Mass where people could take part in the service while in their cars or on their bikes. Rev Johnson V, pastor-in-charge of BAGCIWC, said that while the church live-streamed daily prayers and the Sunday Mass throughout the lockdown period, they decided to come up with an alternative arrangement once the church reopened its doors. (Ralph Alex Arakal reports)
Heavy pre-monsoon showers in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district led to flooding of the ground floor of the COVID-19 hospital, forcing its staff to shift patients to upper floors in midnight, an official said on Sunday. The city in north Maharashtra started receiving downpour on Saturday late night which continued for at least two hours, said an official from the Godavari Medical College where COVID-19 patients were being treated. The patients were on the ground floor as many of them and their relatives are more than 50-year old, he said. (PTI)
Desperation for a way to keep economies from collapsing under the weight of Covid-19 could mean settling for a vaccine that prevents people from getting really sick or dying but doesn’t stop them from catching the coronavirus. As countries emerge warily from lockdowns, leaders are looking to a preventive shot as the route to return to pre-pandemic life. Fueled by billions of dollars in government investment, vaccines from little-known companies like China’s CanSino Biologics Inc. and giants like Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc are in development. Read this Bloomberg report
A day after it declared all nursing homes in the Capital with capacities of 10-49 beds as Covid-only, the Delhi government withdrew the order amid red flags from owners of such establishments, as well as apprehensions raised during a meeting on Sunday morning between Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Highly placed sources said it was suggested to the Delhi government during Sunday’s meeting that it should reconsider the order since it could lead to mixing of Covid patients with existing non-Covid patients at these nursing homes. Besides, such a move would also call for an upgradation of existing infrastructure at these facilities. Shivam Patel reports
Fitness junkies locked out of gyms, commuters fearful of public transit, and families going stir crazy inside their homes during the coronavirus pandemic have created a boom in bicycle sales unseen in decades. Bicycle sales over the past two months saw their biggest spike in the US since the oil crisis of the 1970s, said Jay Townley, who analyses cycling industry trends at Human Powered Solutions.
The trend is mirrored around the globe, as cities better known for car-clogged streets, like Manila and Rome, install bike lanes to accommodate surging interest in cycling while public transport remains curtailed. In London, municipal authorities plan to go further by banning cars from some central thoroughfares. (AP)
Starting Monday, booking windows at select suburban railway stations in Mumbai are set to reopen as both the Central and Western Railway will run train services for the first time since March 23, but only for the 1.25 lakh commuters identified by the state government as essential service workers. The train services will not be available for the general public, a joint press release from Western and Central Railways late on Sunday said.