Over four months after the first coronavirus case was detected in India, the case count in India stands at 3.95 lakh, with a death toll of over 12,900.
As scientists worldwide try to better understand the origins and nature of the pandemic, traces of the virus has been found in wastewater collected from Italy's Milan and Turin in December 2019. This suggests that COVID-19 was already circulating in northern Italy before China reported the first cases.
Here is a list of State Helpline numbers. You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here.
Here are the latest updates:
Very stringent measures against COVID-19 in store, says Puducherry CM
Jolted by increasing number of COVID-19 cases, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said on Saturday that the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) would come out with very stringent measures to prevent the spread of the infection.
He told newsmen that an unprecedented single-day spike was witnessed with 52 new cases reported.
“We can never leave things to pass as it is and the stringent measures will be decided upon at the meeting of the DMA on Sunday,” he said.
New home quarantine norms will make people apprehensive of getting tested: Experts
The new guidelines on home isolation of COVID-19 patients could have been triggered by reports of many people violating the safety protocols, but the move will now make city residents “apprehensive of getting themselves tested” for possible infection, several experts feel.
As per an order issued on Friday by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, five-day institutional-quarantine has been made mandatory for every COVID-19 patient under home quarantine.
Noted city-based lung surgeon Dr Arvind Kumar on Saturday said it will ramp up the demand for COVID care beds manifold, given the fact that the city government is already trying hard to manage beds to meet the huge projected requirements in view of the escalating cases of COVID-19.
— PTI
One more COVID-19 patient dies in Uttarakhand
One more COVID-19 patient died in Uttarakhand on Saturday, as the number of people testing positive for the infection rose to 2,278 with 101 fresh cases, a state health department bullentin said.
A 66-year-old woman, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died at Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani, it said.
Hospital treated just four poor patients in lockdown: Bombay HC told
Despite reserving 20 per cent of its beds for poor and needy persons, a charitable hospital here had treated only four such patients- three in May and another in June- during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the Bombay High Court has been told.
However, it is not clear whether these patients were infected by coronavirus.
The state charity commissioner revealed this detail in an affidavit following a probe into an alleged incident of K.J. Somaiya Hospital charging Rs 12.5 lakh from some ‘poor’ patients for COVID-19 treatment.
— PTI
Why one rule for Delhi, another for rest of country: AAP on mandatory 5-day institutional quarantine
Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Saturday opposed Lt. Governor Anil Baijal’s order for a five-day institutional quarantine for COVID-19 patients, asking why there is one rule for Delhi and another for rest of the country.
Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh termed the order “dictatorial“.
— PTI
Kerala High Court Advocates Association wants physical sittings to be stopped till June 30 as cop tests positive
The Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) on Saturday requested Chief Justice S Manikumar to discontinue the physical sittings and filings till June 30 following the court visit of a policeman who tested positive for COVID-19 three days ago.
The association said the court’s reopening may be considered based on results of tests of primary contacts of the person who is now tested positive.
— PTI
COVID-19: UP CM asks officials to increase number of monitoring panels to tighten surveillance
To strengthen the COVID-19 surveillance mechanism, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath on Saturday directed officials to increase the number of monitoring committees in the state.
Chairing a meeting with senior officials over the COVID-19 situation in the state, he said random sampling should be increased and a coronavirus helpdesk should be established in every hospital.
— PTI
MP BJP MLA tests COVID-19 positive hours after Rajya Sabha polls voting
A senior BJP MLA in Madhya Pradesh tested COVID-19 positive hours after he cast his vote for the Rajya Sabha polls in the state and attended party meetings, an official said on Saturday.
The legislator’s wife has also tested positive for the infection, he said. Voting for three Rajya Sabha seats in the state took place on Friday.
— PTI
Protesters block Jammu-Pathankot highway demanding judicial probe into death of 2 relatives of COVID-19 victim
Protesters blocked the Jammu-Pathankot highway near here on Saturday, demanding a judicial probe into the death of two relatives of a COVID-19 victim due to the alleged negligence on the part of the district administration.
District Magistrate Sushma Chauhan has already ordered a time-bound magisterial probe into the death of Vimal Zadoo and his cousin brother Vipan Zadoo on Thursday during the cremation of their uncle who breathed his last a day earlier after testing positive for COVID-19.
— PTI
Assam’s COVID-19 tally crosses 5,000
Assam’s COVID-19 case count has crossed the 5,000 mark because of an increased rate of testing, officials said.
On the brighter side, the discharge rate has been 61%.
State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said 5,006 people tested positive by 11:55 pm on June 19, with a total of 102 people added to the list. He also underlined the recovery of 3,066 among them.
— Special Correspondent
Prashant Kishor takes a dig at Centre on Coronavirus, China
Poll strategist and former Janata Dal (United) leader Prashant Kishor on Saturday took a jibe at the Union government over its battle against Coronavirus and China.
“The battle against Coronavirus was won in 21 days and also nobody came to fight from China ! Now, remains the economic development which will be corrected by the government data operators… nothing to worry as the government says everything is okay. Rest, be connected with poll campaign to become atmanirbhar [self-reliant] # liar government”, he tweeted.
Mr. Kishor wondered if Bihar had the lowest sample testing in the country. “It’s elections, instead of corona, which has been more in discussion in the State”, he said.
— Amarnath Tewary
COVID-19 positive cases increasing rapidly in Union Territory, says Bedi
Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Saturday said that the novel coronavirus infection that was limited to “clusters alone was now doubling rapidly and spreading into the community.”
The Union Territory recorded 107 cases in the last six days, Ms. Bedi said, adding that a small region such as Puducherry cannot afford to have a big spike in numbers.
— Special Correspondent
6 people working in UP-112 helpline test positive for COVID-19
Six people working in the Uttar Pradesh Helpline 112 have tested positive for COVID-19, following which the office has been closed for sanitisation till Monday, a police officer said.
They are of the technical team and work in the server area, he said, adding that all of them are asymptomatic.
— PTI
No consensus reached on LG order on institutional quarantine; another meeting at 5pm
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday opposed Lt Governor Anil Baijal’s order for a five-day mandatory institutional quarantine for COVID-19 patients, asking why was a separate rule being applied for the city, sources said, as his deputy Manish Sisodia said they could not reach a consensus on the decision at a DDMA meet.
In a series of tweets, Mr. Sisodia said no consensus could be reached in the meeting on the LG order and the rate of private hospital beds and another meeting will take place at 5 pm.
— PTI
Domestic private carriers to operate 750 repatriation flights
Domestic private carriers have been offered to operate 750 repatriation flights in 3rd, 4th phases of Vande Bharat Mission: Aviation Minister.
Upper and lower limits on airfares may be extended beyond August 24 depending on how the situation pans out, said Aviation Secretary P.S. Kharola.
— PTI
Tripura’s COVID-19 tally rises to 1,186 with 27 new cases
Tripura reported 27 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the state’s tally to 1,186, officials said on Saturday.
A total of 657 people have recovered, reducing the number of active cases in the state to 529, they said.
— PTI
Liquor makers urge Odisha govt to cut ‘special COVID-19 fee’ to boost sales
Manufacturers of alcoholic beverages have urged the Odisha government to reduce the ’special COVID-19 fee’ imposed on liquor from 50 per cent to a reasonable rate and allow retailers in the state to sell such products from outlets, an official said on Saturday.
In a representation to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) said the imposed cess has increased consumer prices by 50 per cent, leading to a drastic fall in liquor sales and a decrease in tax collection.
— PTI
Maharashtra: Tribals from Palghar to work at COVID-19 hospitals
As many as 30 tribals from Maharashtra’s Palghar district will work in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, an official said on Saturday.
At least 30 tribal volunteers, including six women, who are part of an NGO, have undergone basic training in nursing and will serve at different hospitals amid the pandemic, the official said.
— PTI
Odisha’s COVID-19 death toll rises to 12; 179 new cases detected
A 60-year-old man from Puri district became the latest COVID-19 fatality in Odisha, raising the death toll due to the contagion in the state to 12, a health department official said on Saturday.
Odisha also recorded 179 new cases of the respiratory ailment, including 18 disaster response personnel, he said.
— PTI
Karnataka govt authorises local bodies to fix timings to open parks
Continuing with easing of restrictions under ‘Unlock 1.0’, the Karnataka government on Saturday authorised local bodies to fix timing for opening of public parks other than those in the containment zones between 5 am to 9 pm.
It has also mandated adhering to all the national directives issued to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the guidelines issued by the state government in this connection.
— PTI
52 COVID-19 cases reported in Puducherry; tally mounts to 338
Puducherry recorded 52 fresh cases of COVID-19, its highest single day spike so far, taking the tally of infections in the Union Territory to 338.
Director of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan told reporters on Saturday that after shifting one patient taking treatment in Maharashtra from the portal of Puducherry and with the outbreak of 52 fresh cases, the aggregate stood at 338 during last 24 hours.
— PTI
Delhi HC asks govt. to probe allegations of shifting out physically disabled woman against hospital
The Delhi High Court has directed the city government to investigate into the allegations against a private hospital of forcing to shift a physically disabled woman, suspected to be suffering from COVID-19, to another hospital over unavailability of beds.
Justice Navin Chawla, who conducted the hearing through video conferencing, said the allegations made against Primus Super Speciality Hospital in Chanakyapuri here are of “grave nature“.
— PTI
Lockdown not akin to Emergency, default bail an indefeasible right: SC
The lockdown announced by the government due to COVID-19 is not akin to the proclamation of Emergency, the Supreme Court has said holding that default bail is an indefeasible right on non-submission of charge sheet within the prescribed time.
The apex court made the observation while setting aside a Madras High Court order denying bail to an accused despite non-filing of charge sheet within within the stipulated time.
— PTI
Pune district’s count of COVID-19 cases crosses 14,000-mark
The number of coronavirus positive cases in Pune district of Maharashtra crossed the 14,000-mark after 542 people were found infected in the last 24 hours, a health official said on Saturday.
The COVID-19 case count of the district now stands at 14,292, the official said.
As the virus claimed eight more lives in the district, its death toll has reached 560, he said.
— PTI
Nagpur records 85 new COVID-19 cases, tally reaches 1,228
At least 85 persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district in the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the region to 1,228, a district official said on Saturday.
No new casualties were reported in the district, where 18 persons have succumbed to the infection so far, the official said.
— PTI
Rajasthan reports 158 fresh coronavirus cases, infection tally rises to 14,314
Rajasthan reported 158 fresh coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the State’s infection tally to 14,314, officials said.
The state has so far reported 333 deaths due to the virus.
Of the fresh cases, 40 were from Dholpur, followed by 36 from Jaipur, and 34 from Bharatpur. Jhalawar reported 12 cases, while 11 cases were reported from Sirohi.
— PTI
Arunachal records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases with 32 new infections
Arunachal Pradesh registered its highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases as 32 more people tested positive for it, a senior health official said on Saturday.
The fresh cases raised the virus count in the northeastern state to 135 on Friday, the official said.
— PTI
Daman sees rise in COVID-19 cases, its border with Gujarat sealed
The number of COVID-19 positive patients in Daman district of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu (UTDNHDD) has gone up to 27 with eight fresh cases, following which the administration has sealed the district’s border with Gujarat border for a few days, officials said on Saturday.
Most of the 27 COVID-19 patients in Daman are factory workers who cross the border to work in industrial units at Vapi in neighbouring Gujarat and vice versa, the officials said.
— PTI
Antiviral drug Favipiravir to be available from today
An update on COVID medicine front: Glenmark Pharma’s antiviral drug Favipiravir (branded as FabiFlu) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in India is expected to be available from today evening.
Each tablet is priced at ₹103. It will be available at hospitals and at chemist shops and will be sold under medical prescription.
Antibodies against coronavirus start to decrease in 2-3 months, study finds
A few countries, including the U.K., were toying with the idea of issuing some form of a certificate to people who have been infected with novel coronavirus and recovered subsequently, as such people were assumed to be resistant to reinfection. Incidentally, this idea was born even before any evidence about how long the antibodies produced in response to infection would last.
Now, a study published in Nature Medicine suggests that antibodies formed against SARS-CoV-2 begin to decrease in number, just two-three months after infection.
In contrast, circulating antibodies against 2002-2003 SARS and MERS coronavirus were found to last more than one year.
Yoga can be an antidote to anxiety, says UNGA President
A day before International Day of Yoga, the UN General Assembly President has highlighted the benefits of practising yoga during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new reality for many of us. It has disrupted lives, created loneliness caused by social distancing as it has also led to increased anxiety caused by economic difficulties, fear of illness and worry about loved ones. This is only natural," he said, adding that there is a growing trend of people from many parts of the world embracing yoga to fight social isolation and depression during the pandemic.
Our health and fitness correspondent Sunalini Mathew writes on how yoga, like everything else, has gone online. And while we are at it, here are a few asanas to do daily, for a healthy and stress-free life.
Delhi govt, L-G lock horns on qurantine policy for Delhi's COVID patients
Taking the conflict between Delhi government and Lieutenant-Governor on the home isolation policy a step further, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said that the govt. will oppose Lt Governor’s order to scrap home isolation in the upcoming DDMA meeting.
Late on Friday, Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal had issued an order making five-day institutional quarantine mandatory for COVID-19 patients in the Capital.
With 77.8% of the active cases till June 11 in the city recuperating in home isolation, the Delhi government called the decision “arbitrary” and asked for it to be reconsidered.
The Aam Aadmi Party government said strict isolation protocol following Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines and daily monitoring and counselling has resulted in thousands of mild and asymptomatic cases recovering at home.
Only 35 of 8,281 patients needed ventilator so far in Karnataka
Although the number of patients being shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at various designated COVID-19 hospitals in Karnataka is on the rise, not many of them seem to require ventilator support.
Ever since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the State on March 9, only 35 of the 8,281 positive patients have required ventilator support. As on Friday, while 78 COVID-19 patients were being treated in ICUs, eight were on ventilator support.
According to ICU data collated by the State’s Critical Care Support Unit (CCSU), only 0.8% of the 1,000 ventilators available in the State are in use. The highest number of ICU admissions are in Bengaluru, with 0.75% of the 265 ventilators available occupied.
Plasma therapy for Delhi Health Minister
An update on Minister Satyendar Jain's health: The Delhi Health Minister, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, has been administered plasma therapy, according to an AAP source.
“He was administered plasma therapy last night and he does not have a fever now. But he is still on oxygen support,” the source said.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain. File photo | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Mr. Jain was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, a government hospital, in the early hours of Tuesday after he experienced high-grade fever and a sudden drop in his oxygen levels. He was shifted to a Max Hospital in Saket, a private hospital, on Friday evening after his condition worsened.
Official charged with outraging quarantined girls’ modesty
In north Tripura, police booked a government employee on the charge of outraging the modesty of two home quarantined girls.
Police said Rajib Kanti Deb, an employee of the Panchayat department, was assigned to collect information on quarantined persons in a particular locality. He is said to have introduced himself as a paramedic and, on the pretext of examining the girls, outraged their modesty. He also allegedly called the girls frequently on the phone and made vulgar comments.
The girls informed the local government officials, who in turn approached the police.
Quick update on the COVID-19 numbers:
India registers highest single-day spike of 14,516 COVID-19 cases. With this, India's total tally is now 3,95,048 cases, according to the Union Health Ministry.
The death toll is now 12,948 after 375 new fatalities in the past 24 hours.
How did the coronavirus situation in Delhi escalate?
For the past few days, Delhiites have been waking up to headlines of 'record increase' in COVID-19 cases in the capital. At the time of this update, the case count stands at 53,116, with as many as 2,035 dead.
From having an initial grip over the situation, the Aam Aadmi Party government is now fighting several accusations — of delayed decision-making, poor planning, hiding data on the dead, disappearing numbers, and poor testing — even as it grapples with the surging cases. Further, unlike Mumbai, Delhi is yet to cap the charges for treatment of COVID-19 in private hospitals.
How did things get this bad? In Ground Zero, Delhi reporter Nikhil M. Babu explores how the government frittered away an opportunity to ramp up healthcare facilities during the lockdown period.
Centre asks States to strictly follow home-isolation guidelines to curb COVID-19 spread
The Health Ministry has written to the States, asking them to follow guidelines for effective home isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among family members and neighbours, especially in congested living conditions.
In its letter on Friday, the Ministry said that as per the guidelines, very mild and pre-symptomatic COVID-19 patients can opt for home isolation provided the patient has a room to himself/herself with toilet facility and has an adult attendant/caregiver.
Done correctly, home isolation can help reduce the strain on hospital infrastructure. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you undergo it.
The challenges behind effective contact tracing
The Health Ministry has stressed that contact tracing is a critical component to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. This continues to be a challenge in urban cities, many of which have emerged as major hotspots.
In Chennai, for instance, other than factors like population density and incomplete information, officials faced a unique problem — many residents seem to not know their neighbours.