Covid LIVE: Lockdown restrictions in Bengaluru to be eased from June 14

Coronavirus live updates: Tamil Nadu recorded 17,321 cases in the last 24 hours. Kerala registered 15,204 infections, Maharashtra 10,959, Karnataka 10,959, Delhi 337. Stay tuned for corona-related new

2:15 AM

Taking up with govts issue of Indians unable to travel to foreign countries to pursue studies: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it is aware of the challenges being faced by the Indian students who are unable to travel to foreign countries to pursue their studies due to the restrictions put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19 and is taking up the issue with the governments concerned on priority.
 

At an online media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the ministry, in line with the government's policies and priorities, has been working actively to protect the interests of the Indians residing abroad -- be it for education, employment or other reasons.
 

"We are aware of the challenges being faced by the Indian students who are unable to join or return to foreign countries to pursue their studies. We have been taking this issue up with the governments concerned on priority.
 

"We have also requested the students facing difficulties to contact the MEA," he said.
 

To a separate question on vaccine supply from the United States, Bagchi said the US administration has announced that it will donate a first tranche of 25 million (2.5 crore) doses of Covid vaccines to identified countries.
 

"On June 3, US Vice President Kamala Harris called the prime minister (Narendra Modi) on the phone to confirm that India will be among the recipient countries. We are awaiting the details about the exact quantity and type of vaccines to be given to India and the timelines for the same," he said.
 

As India was facing a rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases, the US sent six planeloads of life-saving supplies in support of the country's fight against the pandemic.
 

2:15 AM

DUTA seeks setting up of oxygen plant in north campus to prepare for possible third Covid wave

The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) on Thursday proposed to the varsity administration to set up an oxygen plant in north campus to prepare for a possible third Covid wave, it said in a statement.
 

The association also urged the university to expedite any clearance process and distribute adequate number of oxygen concentrators among colleges and hostels, it said.
 

The proposal was discussed at a meeting held by DUTA office bearers with the Delhi University (DU) Vice Chancellor (VC) and Registrar.
 

According to DUTA, it discussed a proposal of setting up the plant through contributions of teachers and employees as decided in the last executive meeting to which the VC assured that they are also exploring various ways of materialising the demand including requesting funds from the government and various agencies.
 

In the meeting, the teachers' body also requested inclusion of elected DUTA members in the ‘Covid task force' of the university, the statement mentioned.
 

"The delegation also requested that teachers be given EL benefits (30 days) or equivalent days of station leave, which a teacher may avail in the period for which she/he is not assigned any classes or special Covid-care leave to deal with illness of self and family members," it said, adding that the university has agreed to consider the matter.
 

The DUTA also requested the university to ensure employees get salaries on time in the 12 DU colleges that are fully funded by the Delhi government.
 

It also asked the university administration to remind the Delhi government about its promise of allocating Rs 28 crore to settle the issue of this existing gap in grants and requirements.
 

At least 40 professors of the varsity have so far lost their lives due to coronavirus.
 

2:13 AM

Assam reports 3,756 fresh Covid-19 cases, 51 more deaths

Assam's Covid-19 tally surged to 4,50,201 on Thursday as 3,756 more people tested positive for the virus while 51 new fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 3,844, the National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.
 

Tinsukia district reported seven deaths, followed by Jorhat (6), five deaths each in Barpeta, Dibrugarh and Sonitpur, three each in Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong and Sivasagar, two each in Cachar, Darrang and Goalpara, and one each in Bongaigaon, Dhubri, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Nalbari districts, it said.
 

With the detection of 3,756 new cases against testing of 1,22,313 samples on Thursday, Assam has reported a positivity rate of 3.07 per cent for the day, the NHM bulletin said.
 

Of the new cases, the highest 323 patients were detected from Kamrup Metropolitan, followed by 291 in Cachar, 265 in Sonitpur and 236 in Tinsukia.

Currently, the state has a total of 47,081 active Covid-19 cases.
 

With 4,50,201 total Covid-19 positive cases in Assam, the overall positivity rate stands at 3.70 per cent against the total testing of 1,21,80,068 samples so far.
 

2:13 AM

Chhattisgarh records 1,034 new Covid-19 cases, 14 deaths

Chhattisgarh on Thursday reported 1,034 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths, taking the infection count to 9,84,950 and the death toll to 13,285, a health official said.
 

The number of recoveries rose to 9,54,390 after 292 people were discharged from various hospitals while 1,566 others completed their home isolation during the day.
 

The number of active cases in the state stands at 17,275, the official informed.
 

Raipur district recorded 113 new cases, taking its caseload to 1,56,692, including 3,117 deaths. Janjgir-Champa recorded 65 new cases, Bastar 64 and Surajpur 54, among other districts, he said.
 

With 44,969 samples tested on Thursday, the total of coronavirus tests in the state went up to 95,76,463.
 

Chhattisgarh's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 9,84,950, New cases 1,034, Death toll 13,285, Recovered 9,54,390, Active cases 17,275, Total tests 95,76,463.
 

2:00 AM

Biden lays out US vax donations, urges world leaders to join

President Joe Biden urged global leaders Thursday to join him in sharing coronavirus vaccines with struggling nations around the world after he promised the US would donate 500 million doses to help speed the pandemic's end and bolster the strategic position of the world's wealthiest democracies.
 

Speaking in England before a summit of the Group of Seven world leaders, Biden announced the US commitment to vaccine sharing, which comes on top of 80 million doses he has already pledged by the end of the month. He argued it was in both America's interests and the world's to make vaccination widely and speedily available everywhere.
 

“We're going to help lead the world out of this pandemic working alongside our global partners," Biden said. He added that on Friday the G-7 nations would join the US in outlining their vaccine donation commitments.
 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote in The Times of London newspaper that it was now time for wealthy countries to “shoulder their responsibilities” and “vaccinate the world.” His country has yet to send any doses abroad or announce a solid plan to share vaccines. Johnson indicated Britain had millions of doses in surplus stocks.
 

Biden said the US was sharing its doses “with no strings attached” or “pressure for favors.” “We're doing this to save lives, to end this pandemic, and that's it,” he said.
 

10:21 PM

Haryana to launch third round of sero survey on June 15

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij will launch the third round of the sero survey in the state on June 15 to determine the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies in the community, especially in children aged 6-17.
 

Additional Chief Secretary (Health), Rajeev Arora said all the necessary preparations in this regard have already been made.
 

The study will also collect data to know the effect and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine besides helping the government in planning and strengthening paediatric services, including the establishment and upscaling of intensive care units.
 

“The study is to provide us information regarding susceptible populations and areas in the state to prioritise the vaccination drive,” he said in a statement.
 

Arora said the aim of this round of sero survey is to identify the impact of the second wave of Covid-19. Children aged six and above have also been included in the study to assess seroprevalence in them, he said.
 

Arora further said the state has already conducted two rounds of sero surveys, the first in August 2020 wherein seroprevalence of Covid- 19 was found to be 8 per cent and the second round was conducted in October, wherein seroprevalence of Covid-19 was found to be 14.8 per cent in the whole state.
 

Sero survey or seroprevalence studies are based on the analysis of antibodies collected through blood sample collection. 
 

10:20 PM

India asks Chinese govt to allow Indian nationals to travel to China

India on Thursday asked China to allow Indian citizens to travel to that country, especially those who work or study there, saying essential two-way visits should be facilitated keeping in view the fact that Chinese nationals are able to come to India.
 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said that India supports the need for a follow up to the WHO's report on the origin of the Covid 19, amid growing global calls to find out how the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.
 

To a separate question on the proposal at the World Trade Organisation by India and South Africa to waive patents on Covid-19 vaccines and related products, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said,"We are happy to see that our initiative has gathered support from a number of countries." On the issue of travel to China, he said India was in touch with the Chinese side in order to seek an early resumption of travel by Indian citizens to China.
 

He said though Chinese nationals are able to travel to India, Indian citizens are not being able to do so since last November including those who have met China's condition of getting vaccinated with Chinese vaccines.
 

"We have been in touch with the Chinese side in order to seek an early resumption of travel by Indian citizens to China, especially for those who work or study there," Bagchi said.
 

"While we recognize the need to ensure safety and strictly follow Covid- related protocols, essential two-way travel should be facilitated, especially keeping in view the fact that Chinese nationals are able to travel to India," he said.
 

9:03 PM

Rajasthan adds 538 new Covid cases, 23 deaths

Rajasthan's COVID-19 caseload surged to 9,48,562 on Thursday with 538 fresh infections while the death toll mounted to 8,772 as 23 more people succumbed to the viral disease, according to an official report.

 

Jaipur reported the highest number of new cases at 103 while Jodhpur reported the maximum number of fresh deaths at four, the report stated.

 

There are 10,079 active COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan. So far, 9,29,711 patients have recovered from the disease in the state, it said.

8:58 PM

Maharashtra reports 12,207 new Covid cases and 393 deaths in last 24 hours

8:57 PM

Child labour records first rise in 20 years, millions more at risk due to Covid: Report

The number of children in child labour has risen to 16 crore worldwide -- first increase in two decades -- with millions more at risk due to COVID-19, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UNICEF.

 

The report -- 'Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward' -- released ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, says the progress to end child labour has stalled for the first time in 20 years, reversing the downward trend that saw it fall by 94 million (9.4 crore) between 2000 and 2016.

 

The report points to a significant rise in the number of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labour, who now account for over half of the total global figure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work --defined as work that is likely to harm their health, safety or morals -- has risen by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016, the report said.

8:53 PM

Night curfew in Bengaluru to continue from 7 pm to 5 am

8:45 PM

Covid LIVE: Lockdown restrictions in Bengaluru to be eased from June 14

Lockdown restrictions in Bengaluru to be relaxed till 2 pm from June 14. But night curfew to continue from 7 pm to 5 am.

 

8:30 PM

Covid LIVE: Karnataka relaxes lockdown guidelines, relock in 11 districts

8:26 PM

Covid LIVE: Karnataka relaxes lockdown guidelines, relock in 11 districts

CM of Karnataka on Thursday announced beginning of phased unlock. Lockdown to continue (and be stricter) in 11 districts where positivity rate still high: Chikmaglur, Shimoga, Davangere, Hassan, Blore Rural, Mandya, Belagavi Kodagu, Dakshin Kannada, Mysore, Chamarajnagar.

8:22 PM

China suspends import of frozen seafood from 6 Indian firms after coronavirus traces found on packaging

China on Thursday suspended the import of frozen seafood products from six Indian marine export companies after traces of coronavirus were detected on the packaging.

 

Since early last year, China has been testing imported frozen food products from all over the world. It has periodically suspended imports from companies after finding traces of the virus on the packaging.

 

The General Administration of Customs of China in a press release said the traces of the virus were found on the outer packages of the seafood products from the six companies and imports would be suspended for a week.

8:11 PM

Himachal Pradesh reports 533 new Covid cases, 862 recoveries and 15 deaths in a day

Himachal Pradesh reports 533 new Covid cases, 862 recoveries and 15 deaths in the last 24 hours.

8:03 PM

25 more Covid deaths, 1,117 new cases in Jammu and Kashmir

The COVID-19 death toll in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 4,143 on Thursday with 25 more fatalities, while 1,117 new cases pushed the infection count to 3,04,866, officials said. Out of the fresh cases, 332 were from Jammu division and 785 from the Kashmir division, they said.

 

Srinagar district recorded the highest 194 cases followed by 121 in Budgam district, officials said. The number of active cases dropped to 18,581, while the overall recoveries have reached 2,82,142 so far, officials said.

 

The death toll rose to 4,143 after 25 patients died in the past 24 hours, they said. Officials said there were 18 confirmed cases of Mucormycosis (black fungus) in the union territory and no fresh case has been reported since last evening.

7:50 PM

Tamil Nadu reports 16,813 new Covid cases, 358 deaths in a day

7:33 PM

Over 1,300 people fined in Delhi for flouting Covid-19 norms

Over 1,300 people were fined in Delhi on June 9 for violation of COVID-19 guidelines, police said on Thursday.

 

According to data shared by the police, 1,349 challans were issued in the city on Wednesday, of which 1,167 were for not wearing face masks, 180 for not maintaining social distance and two were against large public gatherings.

 

"The process of unlocking has been started and we urge people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. Use a face mask while coming out of the house, maintain social distancing and regularly sanitise their hands. People should not come out of their homes unnecessarily," Delhi Police Additional Public Relations Officer (PRO) Anil Mittal said.

7:23 PM

Rajasthan reports 538 new Covid cases, 23 deaths and 2,268 recoveries in a day

Rajasthan reports 538 new Covid cases, 23 deaths and 2,268 recoveries today; active case tally at 10,079

7:07 PM

Covid-19 cases 'very clearly' going up, warns UK PM Johnson

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday warned that COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations are "very clearly" on the rise in the country and that he continues to assess the vaccination data to decide on whether to end all lockdown measures by June 21.

 

Speaking in Cornwall ahead of the G7 Leaders' Summit, Johnson told reporters that arguments continue to be made one way or another" as to whether all restrictions can be lifted as planned. The government is due to make an announcement on the planned unlocking on Monday.

 

"What everybody can see very clearly is that cases are going up and, in some places, hospitalisations are going up, said Johnson. "What we need to assess is the extent to which the vaccine rollout, which has been phenomenal, has built up enough protection in the population in order for us to go ahead to the next stage," he said.

6:56 PM

Uttarakhand reports 388 new Covid cases, 3,242 recoveries and 15 deaths in a day

Uttarakhand reports 388 new Covid cases, 3,242 recoveries and 15 deaths in the last 24 hours.

6:42 PM

Tamil Nadu may extend Covid lockdown by a week on experts' advice

The Tamil Nadu government might extend the lockdown, which is in force in the state by one more week, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin likely to make an announcement on this either later on Thursday or Friday morning.

 

Stalin had conducted meeting of health officials and top bureaucrats on Thursday and experts in public health, who were present, recommended the government extend the lockdown by another week.

 

As many as 11 districts have higher number of cases and in several rural areas of the state new clusters have formed giving a major headache to the state government. READ ON...

6:32 PM

Kiren Rijiju launches campaign to distribute Ayush-64 tablets for Covid patients

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday lauded the Arunachal Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu for its 'commendable job' in achieving remarkable success in combating COVID-19 despite many challenges.

 

Launching the distribution campaign of Ayush-64 tablet for COVID-19 patients and Ayurveda immunity booster medicine at civil secretariat here, the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs and Ayush said that at the trying time both the Centre and state governments coordinated very well and worked towards managing the pandemic.

 

"The central government has ensured that all essential commodities including ration items, petroleum products, gas, etc, are made available to the people at right places," he said.

6:21 PM

Case against 35 for flouting Covid protocol at dance party in UP

A case has been registered against 35 people under the Epidemic Act for flouting Covid protocol during a dance programme in Bada Daroga Purwa village here, police said on Thursday.

 

The event was organised on Wednesday night to celebrate the birth of a boy in which dancers were also called, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jang Bahadur Yadav said.

 

During the dance programme, a large crowd assembled and Covid protocol was violated by not following social distancing norms and other guidelines.

6:12 PM

Kerala reports 14,424 new Covid cases, 194 deaths in a single day

Kerala reports 14,424 new Covid cases, 194 deaths and 17,994 recoveries today; the number of active cases in the State is 1,35,298

6:06 PM

Goa reports 413 new Covid positive cases, 585 recoveries and 13 deaths in last 24 hours

Goa reports 413 new Covid positive cases, 585 recoveries and 13 deaths in the last 24 hours.

5:58 PM

Better-fitting face masks greatly improve Covid-19 protection: Study

Poorly fitting face masks greatly increase the risk of infection from airborne diseases like COVID-19, compared to custom-fitted masks, according to a study.

 

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati in the US used CT scans of three different-sized face masks attached to three different-sized dummy heads to measure the gaps between the face and the fabric.

 

They then calculated the leaks from these gaps to determine the infection risk.

5:44 PM

Alpha, Delta Covid-19 variants found in Sri Lanka

Highly contagious Alpha and Delta variants of the coronavirus have been detected in Sri Lanka, which is facing a third wave of the pandemic.

 

Patients carrying the Delta variant, or the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India, and the Alpha strain, formerly called the B.1.1.7 strain, which was first detected in the UK, have been found at around nine locations of different districts in Sri Lanka, said Dr Chandima Jeewandara, the Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

 

According to the sequencing report issued on Wednesday, 80 people were infected with the Alpha variant in multiple locations while the Delta variant was found in one person from a quarantine facility. The Alpha variant cases were also reported in healthcare workers who were fully vaccinated.

5:35 PM

Active Covid cases in Andhra falls below one lakh mark

The active coronavirus cases fell below the one lakh mark to 99,057 in Andhra Pradesh as the state reported 8,110 fresh positives, 12,981 recoveries and 67 deaths in 24 hours ending 9 AM on Thursday.

 

The cumulative cases went up to 17,87,883 and recoveries to 16,77,063 so far, the latest bulletin said.

 

The Covid-19 toll in the state touched 11,763. The two main hotspots East Godavari and Chittoor districts reported 1,416 and 1,042 fresh cases respectively in 24 hours. The remaining 11 districts added less than 1,000 new cases each, according to the bulletin.