The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned Thursday that "more dangerous" variants of COVID-19 could tear across the world as global infections soared to half a million daily, largely driven by the virulent Delta strain.
An AFP tally of official sources found that after an initial dip, cases have been rising again worldwide since the end of June, topping 540,000 on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
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:
Over 41.10 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses provided to states, UTs: Centre
Over 41.10 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have so far been provided to states and union territories, and more than 2.51 crore jabs are available with them and private hospitals, the Union health ministry said on Friday.
In a statement, the ministry said 52,90,640 more doses are in the process of being supplied.
"More than 41.10 crore (41,10,38,530) vaccine doses have been provided to states/UTs (union territories) so far, through all sources, and a further 52,90,640 doses are in the pipeline," it said.
Of this, the total consumption, including wastage, is 38,58,75,958 doses, according to data available at 8 am, the ministry said.
It said that 2,51,62,572 Covid vaccine doses — balance and unutilised — are still available with states and UTs, and private hospitals.
The new phase of the universalisation of COVID-19 vaccination programme started on June 21 and under it, the central government made inoculation free of cost for all adults. Vaccines were earlier free for people above 45 years of age. - PTI
Maharashtra gives RT-PCR test report exemption to certain travellers
Maharashtra gives RT-PCR test report exemption to travellers having 15-day gap from second COVID-19 dose
The Maharashtra government has exempted those people who have got both the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from carrying a negative RT-PCR test report for entering the state, although there has to be a gap of at least 15 days between the second dose and the date of arrival.
An order to this effect was issued late night on Thursday by state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte.
This exemption is applicable to domestic as well as international travellers, it added.
Despite the exemption order in place, all passengers irrespective of the status of vaccination must follow COVID-appropriate behaviour all the time, the order said. - PTI
India records 38,949 fresh Covid cases
India recorded 38,949 new COVID-19 cases, which took the infection tally to 3,10,26,829, while the death toll reached 4,12,531 with 542 more fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Friday.
The active cases have declined to 4,30,422 and comprise 1.39% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.28%, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.
It said that a decrease of 1,619 has been recorded in the number of active cases in a span of 24 hours. - PTI
Maharashtra’s active COVID-19 case tally sees an uptick
Maharashtra again saw a marginal case rise on Thursday, reporting a spike of 8,010 new COVID-19 cases as opposed to just 7,391 recoveries, as the active case tally, which had dipped in the past few days, rose incrementally to 1,07,205.
The death toll remained comparatively low, with a total of 170 deaths pushing the State’s cumulative fatalities to 1,26,560, with the case fatality rate standing at 2.04%. The fatalities were chiefly concentrated in western Maharashtra, with Kolhapur, Pune and Satara reporting the maximum fatalities and cases.
U.S. Surgeon General says he lost 10 family members to COVID-19
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, an Indian American, said he lost as many as 10 family members both here and in India to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 15, 2021. | Photo Credit: AP
Dr. Murthy, who is occupying the position for the second time, said this at a White House briefing making a strong case for people to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the deadly virus.
“On a personal note, it's painful for me to know that nearly every death we are seeing now from COVID-19 could have been prevented. I say that as someone who has lost 10 family members to COVID-19 and who wishes each and every day that they had had the opportunity to get vaccinated,” Dr. Murthy said.