Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: SC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance of UP's Decision to Allow Kanwar Yatra; India Sees 38,792 Cases

SC Takes Cognisance of UP Govt's Decision to Allow 'Kanwar Yatra' | The Supreme Court on Wednesday took cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to allow 'Kanwar Yatra' in the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman issued a notice to the state government and posted the matter for hearing on Friday. The Yogi Adityanath government on Tuesday allowed the yatra from July 25 despite concerns raised in various quarters over the risk posed by such events in triggering a possible third wave of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has cancelled the 'Kanwar Yatra' in view of a possible third wave. 

Over 1.51 Crore Unutilised Vaccine Doses Available with States: Centre | More than 1.51 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 Wednesday. Over 39.59 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs so far through all sources and a further 30,250 doses are in the pipeline.

With the addition of 336 more coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 5,38,471, an official said on Wednesday. These new cases were reported on Tuesday, he said.

India Reports 38,792 New Cases, 624 Deaths | India reports 38,792 new Covid-19 cases, 41,000 recoveries, and 624 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Health Ministry

Total cases: 3,09,46,074
Total recoveries: 3,01,04,720
Active cases: 4,29,946
Death toll: 4,11,408 

Total vaccinated: 38,76,97,935 (37,14,441 in last 24 hrs)

India on Wednesday reported 38,792 new Covid-19 cases and 624 fatalities, a statement of the Health Ministry showed.

Assam Reports 23 More Deaths, 2,169 New Cases | Assam reported 23 fresh fatalities and 2,169 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, pushing the coronavirus caseload to 5,38,407, according to the bulletin of the National Health Mission, Assam. The COVID-19 death toll increased to 4,888 while the number of active cases currently in the state is 20,284.

Delhi Reports 76 New Cases, 2 Deaths | Delhi reports 76 new Covid-19 cases (positivity rate - 0.11%), 84 recoveries, and 02 deaths in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, Delhi had reported 45 Covid-19 cases, the lowest single-day rise in over a year, as per data shared by the health department.

Active cases: 683
Total recoveries: 14,35,204
Death toll: 25,020

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Odisha Bans 'Bol Bom Yatra' Due to Covid-19 | Odisha government has prohibited movement and congregation of Kaudias and Bol Bom devotees. They're not allowed to carry water from religious places or other sources and also not allowed to walk on public roads and pour water in temples during the month of Shravan (July/August) in view of Covid-19.

UP to Allow Kanwar Yatra with Covid-19 Restrictions | UP has decided to continue with the Kanwar Yatra, which sees a heavy movement of devotees, with Covid protocols. The state government has announced that only Kanwar pilgrims will be allowed to attend the ritual. It has also requested the Kanwar associations to limit the number of pilgrims for the ritual. UP Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order reportedly said this year, the Kanwar yatra will be held from July 25 to August 6.

Odisha Bans 'Bol Bom Yatra' Due to Covid-19 | Odisha government has prohibited movement and congregation of Kaudias and Bol Bom devotees. They're not allowed to carry water from religious places or other sources and also not allowed to walk on public roads and pour water in temples during the month of Shravan (July/August) in view of Covid-19.

Uttarakhand Cancels Kanwar Yatra This Year Owing to Covid-19 | The Uttarakhand government has decided to cancel the Kanwar Yatra this year owing to the threat of Covid-19. The decision was taken after a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and top officials of the state government. “We are not interested in turning Haridwar into a Covid-19 hotspot. We do not want to put people’s lives at risk. Keeping this in mind we have decided to cancel the Kanwar Yatra. We have to save lives. God wouldn’t want lives to be lost," said Dhami after the meeting.

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Complete Lockdown in Kerala on July 17-18 | There will be a complete lockdown on 17th and 18th July in the state: Kerala Government issued an order on Tuesday. 

Gehlot Reviews Progress of Covid-19 Vaccination in Rajasthan | Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said the state is managing COVID-19 vaccination excellently, while blaming the delay in the drive on short supply of vaccine doses. Reviewing the progress of the inoculation campaign in the state from his official residence, the chief minister urged the Centre to give adequate supply of vaccines as a large number of people are yet to get their second dose.

Soumya Swaminathan had called mixing a "data-free zone" but later clarified her remarks in an overnight tweet. "Individuals should not decide for themselves, public health agencies can, based on available data," she said in the tweet. "Data from mix and match studies of different vaccines are awaited - immunogenicity and safety both need to be evaluated." 

Individuals should not decide for themselves, public health agencies can, based on available data. Data from mix and match studies of different vaccines are awaited - immunogenicity and safety both need to be evaluated https://t.co/3pdYj4LUdz

— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) July 12, 2021

WHO Warns Individuals Against Mixing and Matching Covid Vaccines | The World Health Organization's chief scientist has advised individuals against mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines from different manufacturers, saying such decisions should be left to public health authorities. "It's a little bit of a dangerous trend here," Soumya Swaminathan told an online briefing on Monday after a question about booster shots. "It will be a chaotic situation in countries if citizens start deciding when and who will be taking a second, a third and a fourth dose."

New South Wales Goes Into Week Four of Lockdown | "New South Wales is going into week four of a lockdown and that means the challenges are escalating," he said on Australian broadcaster Nine Entertainment on Wednesday. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian is scheduled to speak publicly at 11.00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT). She has repeatedly said that restrictions, currently due to end on Friday, will only be lifted when the number of newly reported cases that were circulating in the community while infectious were close to zero.

Sydney Braces for Extended Lockdown as Covid-19 Spreads | Australian authorities are widely expected to extend a three-week lockdown in Sydney on Wednesday as a COVID-19 outbreak in the country's largest city spreads to previously unaffected areas. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has extended financial relief to businesses hit by the shutdown, appeared to jump the gun ahead of an announcement by state officials.