Giving rise to fresh worries about the COVID-19 pandemic rearing its head again, the R-factor, which indicates the speed at which the infection is spreading in the country, has risen recently leading to a sluggish pace in the decline of active cases while Kerala and northeast states have emerged as regions of concern.
This is despite the nationwide tally of new cases remaining low, revealed an analysis by researchers at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Bihar educational institutions open, CM to resume ‘janata durbar’ from today
Educational institutions in Bihar opened on July 12 and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too is all set to resume ‘janata durbar’ (people’s court) after five years, adhering to COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.
All necessary arrangements for opening colleges, universities and schools for Class XI and XII were made on July 11 across the State with 50% strength.
Earlier on July 6, the State Education Department allowed the reopening of educational institutions phase-wise from July 12 following COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols.
India records 37,154 new cases
With 37,154 new coronavirus infections, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,08,74,376, while the total recoveries crossed three crore, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll climbed to 4,08,764 with 724 fresh fatalities.
The active cases have declined to 4,50,899 and comprise 1.46% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 97.22%, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.
A decrease of 3,219 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. - PTI
Over 1.54 crore unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses available with States, private hospitals, says Centre
More than 1.54 crore balance and unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.
Over 38.86 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States and UTs so far through all sources and a further 63,84,230 doses are in the pipeline, it said.
Of this, the total consumption including wastage is 37,31,88,834 doses, according to the data available at 8 a.m.
The new phase of universalisation of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from June 21. - PTI
Delhi adds 53 COVID-19 cases, lowest since April 15 last year
Delhi on Sunday reported 53 COVID-19 cases, the lowest since April 15 last year, and three more deaths as the positivity rate dropped to 0.07%, according to data shared by the health department.
According to covid19India.org, a crowd-sourced initiative that collects data on COVID-19 and vaccination in India, Delhi had recorded 17 cases on April 15 last year.
The national capital has recorded 14,35,083 coronavirus cases since the pandemic started last year. Over 14.09 lakh patients have recovered so far. The death toll stands at 25,015. - PTI
Lord Jagannath rath yatra commences with curfew enroute amid COVID-19 concerns
The 144th annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city on Monday morning, but it was devoid of the usual festive fervour and crowds due to the curfew imposed on its route to bar people from taking part in it in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of the usual cavalcade of around 100 trucks, decked up elephants, akhadas and singing troupes, this year's procession consisted of only three chariots, pulled by nearly 100 youths from the Khalasi community, and four to five other vehicles.
To prevent people from gathering on roads for a glimpse of the deities, a curfew has been imposed on the entire 19-km route of the procession from early morning till afternoon, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja told reporters.