As the number of coronavirus cases in the country continue to climb, the Union Health Ministry has asked all the States and Union Territories to ensure that contacts of at least 80% of new COVID19 cases are traced and quarantined within 72 hours of confrmation.
India has registered over 7.69 lakh coronavirus cases and more than 21,000 deaths till date.
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:
Two vaccine candidates in India
Over 100 vaccine candidates in the world are currently at different stages of trial. In India, two of the vaccine candidates are entirely indigenous: by Bharat Biotech International Ltd in coordination with ICMR; and Cadila Healthcare, says the Health Ministry spokesperson.
In both vaccine candidates, animal toxicity studies have been completed after taking proper approval. Drugs Controller General of India has permitted Phase-1 and II clinical trials. They are yet to start. Their sites have been finalised, he says.
No community transmission, insists government
COVID-19 has not reached community transmission stage in India, Health Ministry spokesperson reiterated.
Today also, Union Health Minister has said that India has not reached the community transmission stage. In some localised, there are outbreaks. Only 49 districts account 80% of COVID-19 cases, he added.
The irony...
A volunteer distributes Kabasura Kudineer to people as a preventive measure against COVID-19 at Ambattur Industrial Estate in Chennai on Thursday. | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
A scene in Chennai where three people riding a two-wheeler, without caring about social distancing, stop to have a glass of kabasura kudineer that is believed to prevent COVID-19.
Plasma therapy has been recommended as investigative therapy. There are guidelines for its use, says Rajesh Bhushan.
Randomised trial of plasma therapy is being conducted under the aegis of ICMR, the trial is being conducted on 452 patients, he says.
In individual cases, approval of drug controller of ICMR is not required.
Delhi showing improvement, says Home Ministry spokesperson
More activities have been allowed outside containment zones July 1 onwards in a phased manner, till July 31 lockdown measures will be implemented stringently in containment zone, says Home Ministry spokesperson.
In Delhi, in the past few weeks, there has been improvement, 6.79 lakh tests were conducted till July 8; now 20,000 tests are being carried every day, she says.
In Delhi, on July 9, there are 23,452 active cases and recovery rate is over 72%. About 15,095 beds are now available in Delhi, as of July 8 about 68% of the beds were vacant. So, there is adequate arrangement for Delhi residents, she says.
Rapid antigen point of care test in containment zones: ICMR
Dr Nivedita Gupta, spokesperson, ICMR, says in addition to the RT-PCR test, TrueNat and CB-NAAT based testing are also being conducted across the country.
ICMR has also approved the use of a rapid antigen point of care test, which is now recommended for use and also being used in the containment zones of various States and hospitals, she adds.
India seeing progressive increase in recoveries: Health Ministry
The Union Health Ministry is conducting a press briefing on COVID-19, after a gap of nearly a month. Here are the highlights:
Rajesh Bhushan, Officer Special Duty, MoHFW, says our healthcare infrastructure is not overburdened. The recoveries have doubled compared to active cases, he adds.
Our cases per million population is among the lowest in the world, he says.
Death per million population in India is also among the lowest in the world, he points out.
In India, there has been progressive increase in recoveries with respect to number of active cases. Today we have 476378 recovered cases and 2,69,789 active cases, he says.
Calcutta HC to remain closed from Friday to Monday
The Calcutta High Court will remain closed from Friday to Monday due to imposition of a fresh spell of lockdown in containment zones of the city and for sanitisation of the court buildings, its Registrar General said.
The Chief Justice has suspended judicial and administrative works of the Calcutta High Court from July 10 to 13 on account of a new phase of lockdown in the city declaring considerable part of it as containment zones, Registrar General Rai Chattopadhyay said in a notification on Thursday.
A thorough sanitisation process in the three buildings of the high court will also be conducted during this period, she said.
Adityanath asks officials to ramp up testing in UP
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed that 40,000 tests should be conducted in the state per day to trace the spread of coronavirus.
Around 35,000 tests are being conducted per day in the state till now.
With COVID-19 cases rising in Jhansi, Kanpur and Varanasi, the chief minister said a team of specialists doctors should be sent to the three districts.
Extra vigil should be maintained in districts reporting rising cases of coronavirus infection, he said.
Ministers to be appointed as in-charge for each zone in Bengaluru for COVID management
Amid spike in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday decided to appoint ministers as in-charge for each zone in the city, aimed at effectively managing the pandemic.
There are eight administrative zones in Bengaluru under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the city civic body.
India has lowest cases, deaths per million population: Harsh Vardhan
“India has one of the lowest cases per million (538) and deaths per million (15) compared to the global average of 1,453 and 68.7, respectively,’’ said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday after chairing the 18th meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on coronavirus (COVID-19).
Within the country, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat) contributed to around 90% of the active caseload and 49 districts accounted for 80% of active caseload currently. Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal accounted for 86% of total deaths, and 32 districts accounted for 80% deaths, he said. - Bindu Shajan Perappadan
Sringeri MLA tests positive
T.D. Raje Gowda
Sringeri MLA T.D. Raje Gowda tested positive for COVID-19 infection on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, the Congress MLA said he had been admitted to a designated hospital. In a message to people of his constituency, Mr. Raje Gowda said people need not worry about his health and he would come back recovered soon.
Earlier BJP MLC M.K.Pranesh and his wife tested positive. Another MLC of the JD(S) S.L. Bhoje Gowda also tested positive.
Rajkumar Patil Telkur, MLA for Sedam in Kalaburagi district, has tested positive for COVID-19. The sources close to the BJP leader confirmed it and added that his wife and son also tested positive for the disease and all the three were admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru. Now the lab report of his daughter is awaited.
8-day ‘total lockdown’ in Assam’s Golaghat town from today evening
The Assam government has decided to impose a “total lockdown” in Golaghat town from Thursday evening for eight days to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.
The restrictions in Golaghat Municipal Board area will be in place from 7 pm on Thursday to prevent further spread of the virus.
Movement of all vehicles, opening of government and private offices, markets, shopping complexes and shops dealing with non-essential activities will not be allowed during the period.
A total of 617 COVID-19 cases have been reported from Golaghat district.
IIM Calcutta to start academic year in online mode from August
IIM Calcutta has announced that it will start the academic year in the online mode from August.
Starting August 2020, new as well as returning students of the flagship MBA programme will attend classes digitally from the safety of their homes, the premier institute said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As we reopen in the online mode, it is equally important that we sustain our academic rigour and preserve our unique teaching and learning experience,” Director of IIM Calcutta, Prof Anju Seth said.
One tower in Vasant Vihar’s CBI colony declared as COVID-19 containment zone
The authorities have declared one of the towers in the CBI colony in Vasant Vihar here a COVID-19 containment zone after an agency official and his family members tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked at least 12 officials living in the area to avoid office during the self-quarantine period as a precautionary measure.
Complete lockdown in Puducherry on Sundays?
The Health Department has strongly recommended a complete lockdown on Sundays, starting this week, to break the chain of transmission in view of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Union Territory.
“The day-to-day spike is still unpredictable but we are definitely witnessing a gradual increase in the number of cases in the last two to three weeks. So we have strongly recommended lockdown on Sundays to break the chain of transmission. We expect detailed guidelines to be issued by the district administration shortly,” a senior Health Department official told The Hindu. - Rajesh B. Nair
Safari at Kabini backwaters suspended due to surge in COVID-19 cases
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the district, the authorities have suspended safari at the Kabini backwaters which is among the most popular spots for wildlife afficionados and tourists.
Kabini backwaters — best known for wildlife sightings — in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district abuts both Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves and was reopened for tourists only last month as part of the graded unlocking that commenced on June 8th. But Mysuru is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 positive cases since the last few days. There were 59 positive cases and 1 death reported on Wednesday while there are 253 active cases in all.
Villupuram town declared containment zone, entry and exit points sealed
The district administration has put in place more restrictions in Villupuram town, in the wake of the recent spurt in COVID-19 cases. The administration has sealed the entire Villupuram town as part of the strict implementation of lockdown measures, and to prevent the spread of the infection.
Official sources said that the entire town had been declared a containment zone and all the 32 entry and exit points to Villupuram sealed. Areas surrounding Villupuram town such as Mambalampattu, Ellischathiram, Janakipuram, Virattikuppam, Muthampalayam and Koliyanur will now be restricted zones. People will not be allowed to enter or exit the areas.
Congress leader Sushmita Dev tests positive for corona infection
Congress leader Sushmita Dev has tested positive for coronavirus infection but said she is asymptomatic as of now.
She is the third Congress leader after Sanjay Jha and Abhishek Singhvi to have turned positive for the virus.
“My report as signed by the Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College, Cachar, Assam says I have tested positive for COVID 19. I am asymptomatic as of now. I thank everyone for their concern and calls,” she said on Twitter. - PTI
Domestic cricket will only happen when travelling is safe: Ganguly
The Indian domestic season will only start when it is safe for young players to travel within the country for their Ranji Trophy matches, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said.
There is a huge uncertainty with regards to India’s domestic tournaments as IPL will be happening in October leading to a curtailed season due to coronavirus.
The 2020-21 domestic season would have started with Vijay Hazare in late August followed Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Last season’s Irani Cup was cancelled due to announcement of Lockdown 1.
Asked about domestic cricket and junior cricket, Mr. Ganguly told Sports Tak, “It is necessary, but it will happen only after coronavirus. When it is safe, only then, especially junior cricket.” - PTI
Wedding ceremonies to resume from tomorrow at Guruvayur
Wedding ceremonies will be resumed at Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayur on July 10 by adhering to the COVID-19 protocol. Pre-booking is mandatory for the wedding ceremonies. Booking will start at counter at West Nada and online through Google Form from July 9.
Bride and bridegroom attending their wedding ceremony by covering faces with masks at the Sreekrishna temple in Guruvayur. File photo for representation.
Weddings will be held from 5 a.m. 12 .30 p.m. at Kalyana Mandapam at East Nada.
‘Complete lockdown’ on Sundays in Madhya Pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to enforce a complete lockdown across the State on Sundays after a spike in COVID-19 cases in some districts during the past one week.
In a new initiative, police will provide face masks to people who step out of homes without the protective gear, and recover its cost from them, a minister said.
Due to the spike in cases, the coronavirus growth rate in Madhya Pradesh has gone up to 2.01% from 1.72% earlier, the review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was informed. - PTI
Puducherry Lt Guv Kiran Bedi tests negative for coronavirus
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday, a day after an employee of the Raj Nivas here was found to be infected with the virus.
A release from Raj Nivas said the Health department has informed that the result of the Covid Test, which the Lt Governor had undergone on Wednesday has come out negative.
It also said that the office of Lt Governor would adhere to the protocol of keeping all the staff, who were primary contacts, in home quarantine even though they had tested negative. - PTI
8 NCR districts make up over one-third of active coronavirus cases in UP
Uttar Pradesh’s eight districts that fall in the Delhi National Capital Region account for over one-third of active COVID-19 cases and around 28% of the deaths linked to the infection in the State, according to an official data.
The eights UP district that fall in the Delhi-NCR region are Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat and Shamli.
The State has reported 31,156 COVID-19 cases till Wednesday while the number of active cases stood at 9,980, of which 3,544 (35.51%) are in the NCR districts. - PTI
Week-long ‘total lockdown’ in Assam s Jorhat city from today
The Jorhat district administration in Assam has decided to impose a week-long “total lockdown” across Jorhat city from July 9 to check the spread of coronavirus, Deputy Commissioner Roshni Aparanji Korati said.
Issuing an order, Ms. Korati said that “total lockdown” will be clamped from Thursday in areas under the Jorhat Municipal Board till July 15 in order to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus. - PTI
Quick update on the COVID-19 numbers:
India has yet again registered a record single-day spike of 24,879 COVID-19 cases, pushing the total case tally to 7,67,296.
The death toll in the country stands at 21,129 with 487 new fatalities, according to the Union Health ministry bulletin.
The country now has 2,69,789 active cases.
Air India to resume flights to Delhi from Kozhikode
After public outcry, Air India will begin operation of its suspended flight service from the Calicut international airport to Delhi on Friday.
Airport Director K. Srinivasa Rao said here on Wednesday that the flight would operate three days a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, till August 23. This is a temporary measure till Air India changes the schedule.
At present, Air India is operating its flight only up to the Kannur airport after domestic air services resumed in the country on May 25.
How Bengaluru fell short in tracing the source of infections
In the first week of June when most restrictions of the lockdown were lifted, the total number of active COVID-19 cases recorded every day was between 9 and 28. However, by June 19, the number rose to 138, and by the end of the month, as many as 700 people were identified with the virus. By July 4, the cases touched 1,235. What went wrong in a city that until a few weeks ago, was being lauded for its ability to restrain the spread of a virus unlike other metros such as Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi?
An overstretched BBMP stumbled when it came to tracing the source of infection while dealing with influx of people from other States, contact tracing, and ensuring that social distancing were being followed. In early June, even though the number of cases was still low, the number of patients whose source of infection could not be identified was rising. For instance, on June 6, Bengaluru Urban district recorded only 18 cases, but the percentage of daily cases that were not traced was as high as 83% that day, as per data from the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Scientists warn of potential wave of COVID-linked brain damage
Scientists warned on Wednesday of a potential wave of coronavirus-related brain damage as new evidence suggested COVID-19 can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation, psychosis and delirium.
A study by researchers at University College London (UCL) described 43 cases of patients with COVID-19 who suffered either temporary brain dysfunction, strokes, nerve damage or other serious brain effects.
Single source infects 95 in Odisha’s Rourkela
Days after a family was identified to be the source of 90 COVID-19 infections in a small hamlet in Odisha’s Rayagada district, the Sundargarh district administration traced another source that infected 95 persons in a small locality of Rourkela.
After carrying out contact-tracing in Sector-16 of Rourkela, the administration suspects that the infection had spread from one family.
Patna to go under lockdown again from tomorrow
The Patna district administration on Wednesday announced that the district will be put under strict lockdown again from July 10 to July 16 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
With the surge in the number the Patna District Magistrate Kumar Ravi announced that the State capital will be under strict lockdown for a week from July 10.
Under the lockdown, all government offices, public corporations, private and commercial establishments will remain closed. Essential services like ration, dairy, vegetable and meat shops will be allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All places of worship and religious gatherings too will be closed during the period.