Covid roundup: CBSE to submit Class 12 assessment formula tomorrow; Congress to gather data on pandemic deaths

NEW DELHI: India reported a single day rise of 62,224 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, slightly higher than 60,471 cases reported a day earlier.
A net decline of 47,946 cases has been recorded in the Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
Here's a roundup of the latest coronavirus developments:-
CBSE to submit class 12 assessment formula in SC tomorrow
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is likely to submit before the Supreme Court on Thursday the assessment formula for class 12 students.
Senior officials of the CBSE have expressed hope that the evaluation criteria, which has been prepared on the basis of the report of the 12-member committee of experts, may be released this week.
The committee was formed to prepare the formula for giving results and marks for class 12 students. The committee consists of 12 persons, including Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education and senior IAS officer Vipin Kumar.
A 13-member committee appointed by the board seems to be in favour of a 30:30:40 formula— 30% weightage each to class X and XI final results, and 40% to class XII pre-board exams.
Congress to undertake campaign to help Covid pandemic-affected people, gather data on deceased
The Congress on Wednesday announced that it will undertake a nationwide outreach campaign to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and to gather data on coronavirus infected patients and the deceased.
In a statement, Congress general secretary, organization, K C Venugopal said party president Sonia Gandhi and state unit presidents will also be writing condolence letters to the next of kin of those who passed away due to Covid.
"This outreach programme aims to cover approximately three crore households in 30 days, thereby indirectly touching approximately 12 crore people at an average of four members per family," he said.
Venugopal said the total expected feet on ground would be 1,51,340 at the peak of the campaign.
Govt defends decision to increase gap between two doses of Covishield
The Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday defended government's move to increase gap between Covishield doses and said the decision has been taken in a transparent manner based on scientific data.
"India has a robust mechanism to evaluate data. Decision to increase the gap between administering 2 doses of Covishield has been taken in a transparent manner based on scientific data," Harsh Vardhan said on Twitter.
The government's clarification comes amid reports claiming that some scientists of the government panel had not given consent for the increase in dosage interval.
However, the health ministry has said that discussions are underway to decide whether India should revert to four or eight weeks interval for Covishield vaccine.
Covaxin does not contain newborn calf serum, say Bharat Biotech and govt
After an RTI query about the ingredients of indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin led to a Congress leader alleging cow slaughter, Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said that while newborn calf serum is used in manufacturing of viral vaccines, it is not used in the final formulation of Covaxin.
“New born calf serum is used in the manufacturing of viral vaccines. It is used for the growth of cells, but neither used in growth of SARS-CoV-2 virus nor the final formulation. Covaxin is highly purified to contain only the inactivated virus components by removing all other impurities,” Bharat Biotech said.
Rajasthan unlocks, monuments, museums reopen with 'quite low' footfall
Amid the weakening of the second wave of Covid, Rajasthan on Wednesday was unlocked after around two months.
Markets, malls, monuments, gyms, parks and restaurants were opened as per the guidelines announced by the state government.
While shopping malls, gyms, restaurants and sports complexes opened for restricted hours, Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes remain closed.
Odisha extends partial lockdown till July 1, opens borders with Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
The Odisha government on Wednesday extended the partial lockdown for two more weeks till July 1 and divided the state into two categories on the basis of Covid-19 positivity rate, a senior official said.
The restrictions will be in force till 5 am of July 1, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra said. The weekend shutdowns on Saturdays and Sundays will also continue across Odisha till the end of the month.
(With inputs from agencies)