Coronavirus News Updates: Centre approves Rs 5 lakh assistance for families of 67 journalists who died of COVID-19 this year

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Chhattisgarh records 2,824 new COVID-19 cases, 69 deaths

Chhattisgarh on Thursday reported 2,824 COVID-19 casesand 69 deaths, taking the infection count to 9,62,368 and death toll to 12,848, a health official said.

The number of recoveries rose to 9,00,100 after 1,170 patients were discharged from hospitals while 5,545 others completed home isolation during the day. The number of active cases in the state stands at 49,420, the official informed. Raipur district reported 94 newcases,taking its total count to 1,55,499, including 3,085 deaths.

Surguja recorded 266 newcases, Surajpur 208 and Koriya 190, among other districts.

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I&B ministry approves Rs 5 lakh assistance to kin of 67 journalists who died of COVID-19

The Centre on Thursday approved a proposal to provide financial assistance to families of 26 more journalists who lost their lives to COVID-19.

Dependents of each of these journalists will get the financial relief of Rs 5 lakh under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), the government said in a statement.

Today, the central government approved a proposal of the Journalist Welfare Scheme committee, headed by I&B ministry secretary Amit Khare, to provide financial relief of Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of 26 journalists who died due to COVID-19, the ministry said.

The committee also considered the applications of families of 11 journalists who had passed away due to reasons other than the infection, it said.

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PIL in HC to urgently vaccinate children between 12-17 years against COVID-19

Children between 12-17 years of age should be immediately vaccinated as there is an apprehension that a likely third wave of COVID-19 could affect them more, a PIL in the Delhi High Court claimed.

The plea, which is listed for hearing on Friday before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, also seeks priority in vaccination to parents of children upto 17 years of age as several kids were orphaned after their parents succumbed to COVID-19 during the second wave.

There are two petitioners in the matter -- the first is a minor represented through her mother and the second is the mother with a minor child.

The petition filed through advocates Bihu Sharma and Abhinav Mukerji, claims that according to the data of number of persons infected between April 2021 to May 2021, the number of reported cases where children were infected "has risen tremendously" than last year.

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Maharashtra reports 21,273 COVID-19 cases, 425 deaths

Maharashtra recorded 21,273 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the state's infection tally to 56,72,180, while 425 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 92,225, the health department said. Out of the 425 deaths, 267 occurred in the last 48 hours and 158 during the the last week, it said.

The state also added another 459 deaths to the cumulative figure due to updating of fatalitycounts by various civic bodies and districts. Hence, the overall death toll went up by 884 compared to Wednesday, the department said. Recoveries outnumbered the daily detections by more than 13,000.

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Patanjali says 'received' legal notice from IMA, will give 'befitting reply'

Patanjali Yogpeeth on Thursday confirmed that it has received a defamation notice served by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), demanding an apology from Yoga Guru Ramdev over remarks on allopathy, and said it will give legally a "befitting reply".

While responding to an e-mail query by PTI, a statement from the Patanjali Yogpeeth quoting General Secretary Acharya Balkrishna confirmed it and said: "We will give them befitting reply legally which way we do all things while serving our great motherland and humanity."

The Haridwar-based organisation also said that Patanjali carries all the activities with "scientific and truthful temperament" and "cannot allow anyone to disparage, neglect and demean the great knowledge and science of rishis and scriptures".

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Madhya Pradesh records 1,977 COVID-19 cases, 70 deaths

The COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh rose to 7,73,855 on Thursday with the addition of 1,977 fresh cases, while 70 more deaths pushed the fatality count to 7,828, the state health department said. Recoveries outnumbered the new coronavirus cases by more than 4,800.

A total of 6,845 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the count of recoveries in Madhya Pradesh to 7,27,700, the department said. With this, the state now has 38,327 active cases, it said.

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Caseload crosses 25 lakh-mark in Karnataka

The number of COVID-19 infections in Karnataka on Thursday crossed the 25 lakh mark, as the state recorded 24,214 new cases and 476 fatalities, the health department said. The day also saw 31,459 discharges, continuing to outnumber the fresh cases.

Out of the new cases, 5,949 were from Bengaluru Urban, as the city saw 6,643 discharges and 273 deaths. As of May 27 evening, cumulatively 25,23,998 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 27,405 deaths and 20,94,369 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin.

Active cases stood at 4,02,203.

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Mumbai logs 1,266 new COVID-19 cases, 36 deaths

Mumbai reported 1,266 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 36 fatalities, which pushed its overall count to 7,02,532 and death toll to 14,778, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. This is for the second consecutive day that the number of one-day COVID-19 fatalities remained below 40.

Mumbai's daily COVID-19 case count dipped by around 100 as compared to Wednesday, while the number of deaths went up by two.

The financial capital of the county had reported the highest ever 11,163 COVID-19 cases on April 4, while it had witnessed the highest number of 90 deaths on May 1, during the second wave.

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Telangana logs 3,614 fresh COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths

Telangana on Thursday reported 3,614 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to over 5.67 lakh, while the toll stood at 3207 with 18 more casualties, a government bulletin said.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 504, followed by Nalgonda (229) and Khammam (228), the bulletin said. The state has38,267 active cases and over 90,000 samples were tested.

The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at5,67,517 while with3,961being cured, the total recoveries were at 5,26,043. Cumulatively, over 1.48 crore samples have been tested.

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Black Fungus declared as notified disease in Delhi

The Delhi government on Thursday declared mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notified disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

This has been done because "the ordinary provisions of law for the time being in force are insufficient," the Delhi government's official notification stated.

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MHA orders continuation of ongoing COVID guidelines till 30 June

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Maharashtra COVID-19 curbs to continue, graded easing later: Uddhav Thacekray

The Maharashtra government will extend the coronavirus-enforced lockdown-like curbs in the state after June 1 and relax them later in a phased manner, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday.

Thackeray issued necessary directives in this regard to the state administration during a cabinet meeting, said a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Currently, a wide range of restrictions are in force till June 1 to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The statement quoted Thackeray as saying that precautions are needed at the moment even though case positivity rate (percentage of people who test positive from among those tested) in the state is reducing.

"In 10 to 15 districts, the positivity rate is still very high. Besides, there is threat of the black fungus infection (found in recovering/recovered coronavirus patients).

"Today the daily case count has reduced and reached the numbers recorded in September last year. We still need to take precautions," Thackeray said.

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Meghalaya reports 12 COVID-19 deaths, 809 new cases

Meghalaya's COVID-19 tally surged to 33,104 as 809 more people tested positive for the virus, while 12 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 524, a senior health department official said on Thursday.Health Services Director, Aman War said of the 12 COVID-19 deaths, 11 were reported in East Khasi Hills district and one in West Jaintia Hills district. Meghalaya currently has 8,255 active COVID-19 cases, he said. The health services director said 597 patients recuperated from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 24,325.The state has so far tested over 5.9 lakh samples for COVID-19, he said.

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Vaccination for 18-44 group remains suspended for 4th day in Delhi

Around 34,000 people were vaccinated in Delhi on May 26 and the majority of jabs were provided by private hospitals, AAP MLA Atishi said on Thursday, highlighting the acute shortage of vaccines the city government has been grappling with.

She also said 42 percent of the people (24.32 lakh) in the 45 plus category have received at least one dose of vaccine. "This is the fourth consecutive day that the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group has remained suspended," Atishi said.

It's a cause for serious concern. Delhi has not received any more doses from the manufacturers so far. The makers have made it clear that they have been supplying vaccine to states according to the directions by the Centre, she said.

"As many as 34,147 people got vaccinated on May 26. Of this, most of the jabs were given at private hospitals," Atishi said.

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No adverse effect if second dose of different COVID-19 doses taken, but it needs scrutiny: Centre

Any significant adverse effect is unlikely if the second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine is administered, but reaching a firm opinion on this will need more scrutiny and understanding, the Centre said on Thursday.

It, however, clarified that both doses administered to an individual should be of the same vaccine as per the existing protocol.

The clarification comes following reports that health workers in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharthnagar district administered Covaxin to 20 villagers who had been given Covishield in the first dose.

NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul said the incident needed to be investigated. "Any significant adverse effect is unlikely if the second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine is given. In fact, there is a narrative that is going on that taking doses of two different vaccines can lead to stronger immunity... but for a firm opinion, more scrutiny and understanding will be required, he said at a presser.

Commenting on the UP incident, he said, "Even if it has happened, it should not be a cause of concern for the individual, but I urge all health workers to give second dose of the same vaccine.

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Maharashtra govt unlikely to lift COVID-19 curbs from 1 June: Rajesh Tope

The Maharashtra government is unlikely to lift the lockdown-like curbs in the state after June 1 since the COVID-19 positivity rate was more than 10 percent in 21 districts, health minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday.

However, relaxation in statewide restrictions, in force till June 1 to stem the spread of coronavirus, can be given in places where the case positivity rate is less, he said.

Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Tope said an elaborate presentation on the COVID-19 situation was made during the meet and it revealed the case positivity rate (percentage of people testing positive among those tested) was more than 10 percent in 21 districts (out of 36 districts).

"The cabinet felt it wasn't right to lift the curbs presently in force altogether," he said, adding relaxation can be given in places where positivity rate is less.

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Odisha one-day Covid cases dip as fewer tests done due to Cyclone Yaas, says official

Odisha on Thursday registered 6,736 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in May, taking the state's caseload to 7,32,739, while 34 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 2,618, a health department official said.

However, the low spike of coronavirus cases can be attributed to the relatively low number of tests conducted in the last 24 hours in the wake of Cyclone Yaas which made landfall on the state's coast on Wednesday morning, he said. While 69,407 samples were examined on Tuesday, the number of such tests on Wednesday was only 46,241, he said.

Despite the cyclone, the health officials conducted tests in the worst-hit Balasore and Bhadrak districts and 71 and 206 new cases were detected from there respectively.

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High fatality rate in 12 districts in Maharashtra

Though new coronavirus cases are showing a steady decline in Maharashtra, the high fatality rate in 12 districts in the second COVID-19 wave remains a cause of concern for the government, officials said on Thursday.

Maharashtra, which was recording more than 60,000 new cases daily at the peak of the second COVID-19 wave, is now registering less than 30,000 infections, reflecting an improvement in the overall situation.

However, a dozen districts, most of them in the Vidarbha region and some of them tribal-dominated, have been hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic which began sweeping the state from mid-February.

These districts are Sindhudurg (Konkan region) Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli (Marathwada), Amaravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha, Washim, Gadchiroli (Vidarbha) and Nandurbar (North Maharashtra). The non-availability of adequate healthcare infrastructure is being cited as the main reason for high death rate in these districts.

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Sikkim reports highest single-day spike of 408 COVID-19 cases

Sikkim reported the highest single-day spike of 408 COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 14,214, a health department bulletin said on Thursday. The COVID-19 death toll in the Himalayan state rose to 240 as one more person succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, it said.

Of the new cases, East Sikkim district registered 216 cases followed by West Sikkim (97), South Sikkim (75) and North Sikkim district (20). Sikkim how has 3,604 active COVID-19 cases, while 10,158 patients have recovered from the disease, the bulletin said. At least 212 COVID-19 patients have migrated to other states, it said.

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Punjab expands 18-44 age group priority list

Amid a shortage of anti-coronavirus vaccines, the Punjab government on Thursday expanded the vaccination priority list for the 18-44 age group. It will be effective from June 1, a government statement said.

The new priority list includes those from the hospitality sector, shopkeepers and their staff, industrial workers, street vendors, delivery boys, bus and cab drivers, conductors and members of local bodies.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who chaired a coronavirus review meeting here, said as of date, 4.3 lakh individuals in the existing vaccination priority list of construction labour, co-morbid individuals and families of healthcare workers have been vaccinated.

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Uttar Pradesh reports 188 new deaths, 3,278 cases

Uttar Pradesh reported 188 fresh COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday as the death toll due to the viral disease rose to 19,900, while the infection tally reached 16,83,866 with 3,278 new cases, officials said.

"In the last 24 hours, 3,278 fresh cases were reported, while 6,995 COVID-19 patients recovered from the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,05,696," Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.

The state witnessed 188 fresh deaths, taking the toll to 19,900 from 19,712 on Wednesday. The recovery rate in the state is now 95.4 percent, while the number of active cases came down by 81.26 percent since April 30 when a peak of 3,10,783 active cases were reported.

The active COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 58,270, the official said, adding that the figure includes 34,508 patients who are in home isolation.

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West Bengal extends lockdown till 15 June

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the extension of the lockdown in the state till June 15 to contain the spread of Covid-19. The ongoing lockdown in West Bengal was to end on May 30. West Bengal reported 16,225 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the tally to 13,18,203, a health department bulletin said.

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Delhi reports 1,072 new COVID-19 cases, 117 more deaths

The national capital recorded 1,072 new COVID-19 cases and 117 more fatalities on Thursday, while the positivity rate dipped to 1.53 percent, according a health bulletin issued here. Delhi had recorded 130 COVID-19-related fatalities on Wednesday, the lowest since April 15. It had recorded 1,491 new cases and a positivity rate of 1.93 per cent on Wednesday.

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Nirmala Sitharaman called out for misinformation over Pfizer vaccines

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was called out for misinformation over Pfizer vaccines. In a tweet, she said that "As of now, no country in the world is giving vaccines to children."

This was called out by multiple Twitter users, who corrected the minister saying that Canada, the US and UAE have already authorised the use of Pfizer vaccine in children older than 12 years and vaccinating children.

Recently, even Moderna said its coronavirus vaccine was effective and it strongly protects kids as young as 12, a potential step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for school-aged children in America. 

As per PTI, in US, about 14 percent of the nation's 15 million kids ages 12 to 15 have received their first shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among 7.5 million teens ages 16 and 17, that number goes up to 34%, and about 22% have had both shots, according to the figures released Monday.

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HC seeks to know steps BMC is taking to tackle rising COVID-19 cases among kids

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that till May 9, around 12,000 children have got infected with COVID-19 in the city.

BMC's advocate, senior counsel Anil Sakhre told a bench of Justices Amjad Sayyad and G S Kulkarni that 17 children have died due to the virus in the city so far.

The high court sought to know from the civic body what was being done to ensure that children are provided timely and adequate treatment.

Sakhre told the high court that the BMC has upgraded the health infrastructure in the city to prepare for the imminent third wave of the pandemic.

He said that the state had made special arrangements to treat children affected by COVID-19.

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3,200 cases of black fungus recorded in state: Maharashtra govt to Bombay HC

The Maharashtra government on Thursday informed the Bombay High Court that the state has so far recorded 3,200 cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, a serious infection being found in COVID-19 patients.

As against Maharashtra's requirement of 14,000 vials per day, the state was receiving only 4,000 to 5,000 doses each day, the state's counsel, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, told the court.

He said there were "very few" manufacturers of anti- mucormycosis drugs and injections, hence there was a shortage across the country.

"There are 3,200 cases of mucormycosis as of now in the state. Mucormycosis has been declared a notified disease, so when the health-care establishment receives a patient, they have to inform public health officials, so at the state-level we can have complete data of patients," he told the HC.

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Vaccine wastage calculated in a systematic manner, says Centre

Taking aboutbout wastage of vaccines, Lav Aggarwal said, it is calculated in a systematic manner from across India. "States put this in on the COVID dashboard. This is reviewed in State meetings also. States provide these data,"

This comes after the Centre claimed earlier this week, that despite urging states repeatedly to keep vaccine wastage below 1 percent, states such as Jharkhand (37.3 percent)  and Chhattisgarh (30.2 percent) – figures disputed by both the state government – were reporting much higher wastage than the national average (6.3 percent ).

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Noting stabilisation of the second wave in India, says Centre

"We are now noting a stabilisation of the second wave in India, Dr VK Paul said. "It's reassuring that we are on the downswing of the second wave, and it will be sustained if restrictions open up systematically as the time comes," Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog said on Thursday.

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24 states have seen decline in active cases, says Centre

Addressing the press on Thursday, Health Ministry on the COVID19 situation said the 24 states have reported a decline in active cases since last week. 

"Overall recoveries are now exceeding the number of cases being reported on a daily basis. The recovery rate has increased from 85.6% to 90% now, it's a positive indication," the ministry said.

"The decline in COVID cases has happened with on going restrictions in almost all States across India, " said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.

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Maharashtra announces paediatric task force to prepare for third wave

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday announced the setting up of a paediatric task force, comprising 13 experts from the state, to prepare for the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which children are likely to be affected.

Tope in a statement said noted paediatrician Dr Suhas Prabhu will be the chief of the 13-member task force, while Tatyarao Lahane, the director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, will be its member secretary.

An order in this regard was issued on Thursday by Dr Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary of the public health department, it was stated.

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Pfizer ready to give India 5 cr vaccine doses in 2021

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer five crore shots in 2021 itself, but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.

While Moderna has conveyed to Indian authorities that it does not have surplus vaccines to share in 2021, there are limited prospects of Johnson & Johnson exporting its jabs from the US to other countries in the near future, the sources privy to discussions added.

Two rounds of high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary were held last week on the availability of vaccines in the global as well as domestic markets as it was felt that there is an urgent need to procure the jabs at a time the country is reeling under an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 and a widening gap between supply and requirement.

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Mysuru imposes stricter COVID-19 curbs till 7 June

Mysuru district administration has imposed a complete lockdown for five days a week to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The stringent curbs will come into effect from 29 May and remain till 7 June.

Essential trade has been permitted only on Monday and Thursday from 6 am to 12 noon. Banks and government insurance offices have been permitted to function from 8 am to 12 pm, said the order issued by Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri on Thursday.

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Delhi HC asks Centre to consider waiver of import duties of Amphotericin B

Delhi High Court Thursday said Amphotericin B, used for treating black fungus is required to save lives of people suffering all over the country, the Central Government should consider complete waiver of import duties of the drug for a limited period. 

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ICMR to conduct survey examining effectiveness of COVAXIN, COVISHIELD ​

In the first of its kind study since the launch of AstraZeneca's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin in the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will conduct a survey from next week to examine the effectiveness of these vaccines in preventing the progression of Covid into a severe form.

Around 4,000 people above the age of 45 years who have taken either one or both doses of any of these two vaccines will be reviewed, according to Dr Tarun Bhatnagar, senior scientist at ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai.

"As a part of the study we will take people who are COVID-19 positive and hospitalised and compare their vaccination status with those who have tested Covid negative," Bhatnagar told PTI.

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Maharashtra received 42,690 Amphotericin vials between 11 and 26 May: Centre in Bombay HC

ASG Anil Singh, appearing for the Central government, in the Bombay High Court on Thursday said that from 11 to 26 May, 42,690 vials of Amphotericin drug were allocated for Maharashtra. The total supply has been around 80,000 vials. 

The states which are most affected by black fungus are Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. The supply will be increased to 3,52,000 vials for June, said ASG Anil Singh.

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Pfizer vaccine should be procured to vaccinate children at earliest: Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sought procurement of Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible to inoculate children. This comes after the US pharma company sought fast-track approval for its jab in India. The US major has told Indian authorities that its vaccine is suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above and can be stored for a month at 2-8 degrees, sources had said.

"We should procure this vaccine asap for our children," Kejriwal tweeted, citing a news story on fast-track approval sought by the company. The Delhi chief minister has been requesting the Central government to explore suitable vaccine options, citing opinion of experts that a possible third wave of Covid-19 in coming months may affect children. 

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COVID-19 vaccine trials for children to begin soon: NITI Aayog

India will soon begin COVID-19 vaccine trails for children. However, vaccinating children shouldn't be decided on basis of panic in Whatsapp and because some politicians want to play politics. It has to be a decision by scientists after adequate data available based on trials, said NITI Aayog on Thursday.

As of now, no country in the world is giving vaccines to children. Also, WHO has no recommendation on vaccinating children. There have been encouraging studies about safety of vaccines in children, said the government's think tank.

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Haffkine to produce 40,000 Amphotericin vials by 6 June: Maharashtra govt in Bombay HC

Maharashtra has taken initiative to start in-house manufacturing of Amphotericin, drug used in treatment of Mucormycosis or black fungus, in Haffkine biopharma, said AG Ashutosh Kumbhakoni in Bombay High Court on Thursday.

"Procurement of raw material was completed on Wednesday. The first batch will be available around 6 June," said Kumbhakoni, adding, "40,000 vials of Amphotericin will be manufactured in Haffkine biopharma."

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There are 3,200 cases of black fungus: Maharashtra govt to Bombay HC 

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to take all steps to augment the supply of medicines for black fungus. It also noted that cases of infection were seen in Pune, Kohlapur and in Bombay.

There are 3,200 cases of black fungus now, said Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the state, in the high court on Thursday.

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Maharashtra reports 992 new COVID-19 fatalities; 530 patients die in Karnataka

Of the 3,847 new fatalities due to COVID-19 reported Thursday, the highest number of deaths were from Maharashtra with 992 patients succumbing to the novel coronavirus.

This was followed by 530 deaths in Karnataka, 475 in Tamil Nadu, 193 in Uttar Pradesh, 185 in Punjab, 153 in West Bengal, 151 in Kerala, 130 in Delhi, 107 in Rajasthan and 106 in Haryana.

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Bombay HC to hear matters on COVID-19 management in Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court Thursday will petitions related to matters of COVID-19 management in Maharashtra. The matter will be heard before Justices AA Sayed and GS Kulkarni.

Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni will represent the state, ASG Anil Singh will appear for the Central government and Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare will represent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Advocates Simil Purohit, Arshil Shah, Rajesh Inamdar, Ajinkya Udane will appear for petitioners. 

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COVID-19 recovery rate crosses 90%: Health ministry

The number of people who have recuperated from the novel coronavirus surged over 2.46 crore, taking the national COVID-19 recovery rate to 90 percent, said the Union health ministry on Thursday.

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COVID-19 positivity rate less than 10% for three straight days: Centre

With India recording 211,298 fresh coronavirus infections, the daily positivity currently stands at 9.79 percent. It has been less than 10 percent for three consecutive days now, the health ministry said.

As many as 21,57,857 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Wednesday, taking the total number of such exams done so far in the country over 33.69 crore.

The weekly positivity rate has also declined and now stands at 10.93 percent.

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India's active caseload drops to 24.2 lakh 

The active coronavirus cases in India on Thursday further reduced to 24,19,907, which compromises 8.84 percent of the total infections reported so far, said the Union health ministry. The country's COVID-19 caseload went up to 2.73 crore after 2,11,298 fresh infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours.

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Thane's COVID-19 count rises by 900, toll by 46

Thane has reported 900 new cases of coronavirus, raising the infection count in the Maharashtra district to 5,12,567, an official said on Thursday. These new cases were recorded on Wednesday, he said.

The virus also claimed the lives of 46 more people, pushing the toll in Thane to 9,009, he said, adding that the COVID-19 mortality rate here stood at 1.76 percent.

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With 3,847 new deaths, India's COVID-19 toll over 3.15 lakh 

With the death of 3,847 more patients in a span of 24 hours, the overall toll in the country climbed to 3,15,235 on Thursday, the health ministry data updated at 8 am showed. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.15 percent.

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India adds 2.1 lakh new cases, tally crosses 2.73 cr

India registered 2,11,298 fresh corornavirus infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the cumulative tally over 2.73 crore, according to the Union health ministry's data updated on Thursday.

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Over 33.69 crore COVID-19 samples tested so far: ICMR

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 33.69 crore COVID-19 samples have been tested up to 26 May, with over 21.57 lakh samples being tested on Wednesday alone.

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Delhi's Covaxin stock over for 45+ age group, Covishield left for 12 days: Atishi

The Delhi government has exhausted its Covaxin stock for people over 45 years while that of Covishield will last only 12 days, AAP MLA Atishi said on Wednesday.

So, this means that those awaiting their second dose of Covaxin in Delhi are in a situation wherein they may be wondering if their first dose will go to waste, she said.

For the 45 and above group, about 2.92 lakh doses of Covishield are in stock and this can be used for just 12 days of vaccination. The Covaxin stock, which was available at a diminished scale till recently, is already exhausted, Atishi said.

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Mumbai's COVID-19 caseload crosses 7 lakh

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s updated data, the tally of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai rose to 7,01,266 with the addition of 1,362 cases in the past 24 hours, while the toll jumped to 14,742 after 34 more patients succumbed to the infection.

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With 34 deaths, Mumbai reports lowest single-day toll since 13 April

Mumbai reported 34 new fatalities due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, the lowest single-day toll since 13 April, while the caseload crossed the 7-lakh mark with the addition of 1,362 new infections, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

On 13 April, Mumbai had reported 26 fatalities. In the last 36 days, the city has added 1 lakh coronavirus cases to its tally. The financial capital had crossed the 6-lakh case mark on 21 April.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Maharashtra's COVID-19 positivity rate at 16.7%

Maharashtra currently has over 3.15 lakh active COVID-19 cases while the toll has reached 91,341. The recovery rate in the state now stands at 92.76 percent. The case fatality rate and positivity rates in the state were 1.62 percent and 16.71 percent, respectively.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Maharashtra adds 24,752 new cases; single-day tally below 30,000 for a week

Maharashtra registered 24,752 fresh coronavirus infections and 453 fatalities in a span of 24 hours. A total of 23,065 patients were discharged at the same time. This is for the seventh straight day that the state recorded less than 30,000 single-day cases.

The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 56,50,957.