Delhi recorded 3,788 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and overtook Mumbai to become the city with the highest number of total cases. Delhi’s case tally has risen to 70,390, while its death toll climbed to 2,365, with 64 more fatalities.

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:

Over 18 lakh people given ayurvedic concoction against virus: Rajasthan Minister

Over 18 lakh people in Rajasthan were given an ayurvedic concoction as an immunity booster against coronavirus, State Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Thursday. The Minister said that the process for the distribution of the concoction (kadha) is still on. Around 18.84 lakh people have been given a kadha from March 13 to June 24 for the prevention of the infection, the Minister said, adding that the ayurvedic mixture was also given to corona warriors and their families.

He said the State government is not leaving any stone unturned to promote the ayurvedic medical system. People are also being given immunity boosters mentioned in homeopathy and Unani medical systems, he said.

Apart from this, he said, the Ayurveda Department had started a giloy (a kind of herb) plantation campaign, ‘Amrita’, last month under which 1.50 lakh saplings are being planted.

Area around Shravasti court declared hotspot as steno contracts coronavirus

The area up to 500-metre radius of the Shravasti District Courts complex, Uttar Pradesh, was sealed and declared a hotspot after a steno of a judge tested positive for coronavirus, an official said on Thursday. Earlier on Monday, the authorities had sealed and declared the courts complex a containment zone after a doctor on screening duty there contracted the infection.

Chief Medical Officer A.P. Bhargava said the steno’s medical report confirming the infection was received on Wednesday. Mr. Bhargava said after the doctor tested positive for coronavirus, they had collected samples of 99 employees in the courts complex for testing.

Kejriwal launches video-call facility for COVID-19 patients at LNJP hospital

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched a video call facility for coronavirus patients admitted at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital in New Delhi to talk to their loved ones. LNJP was declared a COVID-19 hospital on March 17 and since then, it has successfully treated 2,700 coronavirus patients and sent them home. It is the only COVID-19 hospital in the country with 2,000 beds, he said.

The Chief Minister said that till now, relatives of coronavirus patients were not able to talk to them, but that that issue has been resolved. “We have installed tablets in coronavirus wards and at a counter outside. These can be used by patients and their relatives for video calling,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

After the launch, Mr. Kejriwal used the facility to talk to a few patients admitted to the hospital’s COVID-19 ward. Lauding LNJP doctors, the Chief Minister said the medics don’t go home or meet their family members for days on end fearing that the infection may spread.

Case against mask making firm in Puducherry after 70 employees test positive

A case has been registered against a private company in Puducherry that manufactures masks, for negligence in following lockdown norms, leading to rise in cases.

Chief Minister V. Narayanaswamy told reporters that there was alleged failure on the part of the factory to adhere to the norms of lockdown and consequently around 70 workers in the industry had tested positive for COVID-19.

The village, where these workers were coming from was also taken up for a thorough investigation and testing of the people. The factory was also closed.

“The negligence on the part of the factory has resulted in workers contracting the pandemic and hence criminal action is being taken against the proprietor,” the Chief Minister said.

People gather at Mumbai mosque, five booked

A case has been registered against five persons, including the trustees of an Andheri-based mosque, for allegedly violating the COVID-19 lockdown norms after a group of people assembled in the premises on June 25, police said.

The DN Nagar police received a call that some people had assembled at Eidgah Masjid in Andheri in the morning, following which a team was sent there, an official said.

The police found that no social distancing norms were followed in the premises and further probe revealed that people had not gathered for prayers, but were there for some discussion, he said.

“As of now, we have mentioned the names of five people, including the trustees, in the FIR. A case has been registered under Section 188 [disobeying an order issued by public servant] and other relevant provisions of the IPC,” senior inspector Parmeshwar Ganame of DN Nagar police station said.

Over 8.40 lakh students appeared for Class X exam in Karnataka

Over 8.40 lakh students appeared for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exam in Karnataka on Thursday.

Taking lessons from the pre-university college exam on June 18 where people thronged the examination centres ignoring social distancing norms, KSEEB officials in association with the health, police and transport departments made adequate arrangements inside and outside the examination halls today.

The Board also roped in the Scouts and Guides at some places to make proper arrangements.

At all the examination centres students were thermally screened and their hands sanitised before being allowed inside.

The exams will go on till July 4.

Police station temporarily shut over Covid-19 fear in Kochi

The Perumbavur police station along the eastern suburbs of Kochi was temporarily shut to the public after it emerged that a person arrested on Wednesday evening had come into contact with a COVID-19 patient more than a month ago.

The police station and the jeep in which they were taken for medical examination have already been disinfected. The shift at the station has not yet changed in the wake of the development and the same batch of police personnel continue te be on duty in a state of self quarantine.

Viral video of ‘body being dumped’ in Tiruchi causes stir

A video clip showing the body of a COVID-19 infected person, who died at the Tiruchi SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Irungalur on June 16, being dumped in a thicket in Kottamedu, near the hospital, has gone viral on social media.

The hospital has, however, claimed that the video clip has been edited to bring disrepute to the institution. The district administration has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

 

'33.39 people for every one lakh affected by COVID-19'

The Union Health Ministry said there are 33.39 COVID-19 cases in India for every one lakh population, against the global average of 114.67. Also, the country has 1.06 deaths per lakh population, which is amongst the lowest in the world and the global average is 6.24.

Following efforts to ramp up facilities across the nation, there are in total 1,007 diagnostic labs, of which 734 are in the government sector and 273 private. From limited COVID-19 tests in January, a cumulative total of 75,60,782 samples have been tested up to June 24 with 2,07,871 samples being tested on Wednesday.

Central team to visit Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana to bolster COVID-19 management efforts

Central team, led by Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal, will visit Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana between June 26 and 29 to coordinate with the state officials in strengthening COVID-19 management efforts in those areas.

According to officials, the team will also review the measures undertaken by the states for containment of COVID-19.

Flight carrying 158 Indians stranded in UAE arrives in MP

AnAir Arabia flight carrying 158 Indians, who were stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to coronavirus-induced restrictions, arrived at Madhya Pradeshs Indore airport on Thursday.

The 158 passengers who landed here hail from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra.

CBSE, ICSE cancel pending Class X, Class XII exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education and Union government informed the Supreme Court that board examinations for Class X and XII will be cancelled in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Class XII students can opt for assessment scheme to be notified by CBSE shortly or they can opt to appear in exams when conditions become conducive, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a Supreme Court Bench.

Delhi, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu had conveyed their inability to conduct CBSE exams.

ICSE also agreed with the government's decision to cancel remaining exams. - Krishnadas Rajagopal

Maharashtra won’t allow ‘spurious’ medicine sale: Minister to Ramdev

Amid the ongoing controversy over Baba Ramdev’s company Patanjali Ayurveda introducing a "cure" for COVID-19, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh warned the yoga guru that the state government won’t allow sale of ‘spurious’ medicines.

Mr. Deshmukh said the Union AYUSH Ministry has not allowed the company to sell the product as the firm has not conducted clinical trials.

“An offence will be registered against them if they try to sell the medicine in Maharashtra or advertise that COVID-19 can be cured with it,” Mr. Deshmukh said.

No leaves for cops in Gujarat

The Gujarat Home Department has asked the state Director General of Police (DGP) and other senior officers not to grant any leave to the police personnel, saying that their presence was necessary for the effective implementation of Unlock-1.

The department also asked all the senior officers, including the state DGP, Range Inspector Generals and all the district Superintendents of Police, not to grant any leave to their subordinate staff, except for medical reasons or any other emergencies.

AIIMS restarts OPD

 

The All India Institute of Medical Science in Delhi has restarted its outpatient department (OPD) services, which have been shut for three months, from June 25 with priority to follow-up patients.

The administration said that it will be the prerogative of departments to call patients directly or screen them through teleconsultation before giving a physical appointment.

Cooperate if you don’t want Bengaluru to be under lockdown once again: Yediyurappa

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa asked people to cooperate by following the measures put in place for the control of COVID-19 if they don’t want another lockdown or sealing in Bengaluru.

Amid talks about re-imposing lockdown in the city following the recent spike in cases, the Chief Minister said he will hold discussions on Thursday and Friday regarding the strict measures that need to be taken to control the virus.

“COVID pandemic is increasing, we are making all efforts and we have even sealed some areas. Today afternoon at Krishna (the CM’s home office) I have called a meeting with Ministers and officials and will discuss the strict measures to be taken to control COVID,” Mr. Yediyurappa said.

29 Naval personnel at INS Parundu test COVID-19 positive

As many as 29 personnel attached to the Naval Air Station -- INS Parundu -- in Mandapam tested positive for COVID-19.

102 personnel from different States had returned to work at INS Parundu during this week. On arrival, they were all quarantined and subjected to the mandatory swab test for COVID-19.

The results, which came on Thursday, indicated that 29 had tested positive. They have all been admitted for treatment at the COVID Care Centre in Mandapam, while the rest of the 73 personnel would continue to be under quarantine.

First COVID-19 death in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded its first COVID-19 fatality after a 43-year-old woman succumbed to the disease, while two new coronavirus cases have been reported, taking the northeast state’s tally to 160.

The woman, a resident of West Kameng district, was suffering from chronic kidney disease and had returned from Delhi on June 11. She was kept at an institutional quarantine at Dirang. As her health deteriorated, she was tested for COVID-19 and was found positive on June 23.

Two workers at Annavaram temple test positive for COVID-19

Two persons engaged in the construction of a shed on the premises of Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Vari Devasthanam tested positive for COVID-19.

The duo, carpenters, was hired by the temple authorities on a contractual basis. They were part of a 16-member team constructing the shed outside the main temple. The rest of the staff who worked with them have been sent to home quarantine. The man and his son were admitted to the COVID Care Centre in Bommuru.

Meanwhile, the district authorities have declared the devasthanam campus as ‘buffer zone’ in which the temple activities would be allowed between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. until further orders

Karnataka SSLC examination begins amidst precautions

SSLC examinations began on Thursday across 2879 centres in Karnataka.

The examinations are being conducted amidst unprecedented precautions. Over 8.48 lakh students have registered for the exam and over 1 lakh officials have been deployed.

The Karnataka Secondary Education and Examination Board has said that each classroom will have around 18 to 20 students. Students appeared for the first language examination on Thursday and the examination will end on July 4.

Students in containment zones and those with symptoms such as cough, cold and fever were provided N95 masks and made to sit in another classroom and write the examination.

 

IIT-Bombay to go completely online next semester

Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will go completely online next semester in view of the COVID-19 pandemic so there is no compromise on the safety and well being of students, its director said on Thursday.

This is the first time in the institute’s 62-year history that a new academic year will start with no students on campus. Other IITs are likely to follow suit with similar announcements for the autumn semester that runs from July till December.

29 from Mumbai test positive in Sri Lanka

Twenty nine of the 40 new COVID-19 cases that Sri Lanka reported on Tuesday are seafarers who travelled from Mumbai, according to Sri Lankan health authorities.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Sri Lanka has reported a total of 1,998 cases, 11 deaths and 1,562 recoveries. The last local case was reported on April 25, according to Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services.

However, dozens of Sri Lankan returnees from other countries have tested positive on arrival.

Concern over rise in cases in mandals bordering T.N.

The COVID-19 Task Force officials expressed concern at the growing number of positive cases in Nagari Assembly Constituency, which borders with Tamil Nadu along Nindra, Vijayapuram, Nagari and Puttur mandals. So far, the constituency registered close to 150 cases, including a death. The positive cases in Gate Puttur locality under Puttur municipality limits are steadily on the raise, forcing the officials to implement complete lockdown.

Chittoor district recorded 40 new COVID-19 positive cases on Wednesday, taking the total to 1,042, which included six deaths.

With patrons wary, restaurants re-think dine-in services

 

Many restaurants and hotels are reconsidering offering dining in services on account of low patronage and people becoming increasingly wary as the number of COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru is rising by the day.

Vidyarthi Bhavan, a popular restaurant in south Bengaluru, has announced that dine-in service will be temporarily suspended from Saturday. Another popular restaurant, Hotel Sanman at South End Circle, has also decided to suspend dine-in service. These popular restaurants have, however, decided to continue offering takeaway/parcel services.

 

Delhi secretariat gets UV light file sterilisation machines

 

The Delhi government has started to install file sterilisation machines with UV light in offices in the Delhi Secretariat from this week as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19. Besides, 25 contactless hand sanitiser machines were installed in the Secretariat in the last two weeks while more will be installed in the coming days, the officials said.

 

TIMS ready to treat COVID patients

 

The Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (TIMS) at Gachibowli has finally been readied to admit COVID-19 patients.

Announcing this on Wednesday, Health Minister Eatala Rajender said 1,000 of the 1,224 beds at the institute have oxygen line facility while mechanical ventilators are provided for 50 beds. Recruitment of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals will be completed within two days. In-patients would be admitted by next week.

 

Kerala not to insist on COVID-negative certificate

Ending a week-long suspense, the Kerala government has decided not to insist on COVID-19 negative certificate for expatriates coming on Vande Bharat flights, chartered flights, and private aircraft to the State from Thursday.

The change in stance comes in the wake of the Centre rejecting the State’s request for the relatively speedier and cheaper TrueNat Beta CoV test abroad and practical difficulties cited by Indian missions where Non-Resident Keralites (NoRKs) are in large numbers.

 

80% of 10,000 cases reported in June

The number of COVID-19 positive cases in Karnataka have been on a steady rise since the beginning of this month. In fact, 80% of the total 10,118 positive cases, as on Thursday in the State, have been reported from June 1 till June 24.

 

Bengaluru to have dedicated private COVID-19 hospitals

A day after the State fixed rates for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals, the government has now notified 20 big corporate healthcare institutions that run a chain of hospitals as Dedicated COVID-19 Health Care Centres (DCHCs) and COVID-19 Care Centres (CCCs).

 

Tamil Nadu suspends intra-zone transport till June 30

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday announced that public and private transport services in various zones, each of which comprises a cluster of districts, will be suspended from June 25 to 30.

With effect from June 1, Tamil Nadu was divided into eight zones for the purpose of transport services. Free vehicular movement was being allowed in six of these zones. However, from Thursday till the end of the month, an e-pass will be mandatory for vehicle owners to be able to travel between districts within a zone.

 

Maharashtra records highest surge

Maharashtra recorded its highest single-day surge of 3,890 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, pushing its tally to 1,42,900. The State also reported 208 more deaths, taking its toll to 6,739.

 

Officials adopt trace-test-treat method in virus hotspots

With the spurt in COVID-19 cases from Appughar and Peda Jalaripeta clusters, officials have adopted the formula of trace-test-treat to control the spread of virus. Massive sample testing is being conducted in both the areas from Zone II which contributed nearly 106 cases from the city.

According to officials, Appughar area reported 65 cases till June 23, while Pedajalaripeta registered 41. First case was reported from the Fishermen Colony, Appughar, on June 13. In a span of 10 days, 65 cases were reported.

(With inputs from Agencies)