Coronavirus India Highlights: The death count increased to 3,96,730 with 979 new fatalities.
India saw a single-day rise of 46,148 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,02,79,331, while daily fatalities were recorded below 1000, taking the total death count to 3,96,730, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
India saw 979 fatalities due to COVID-19 in a day, the lowest in 76 days.
According to the data published at 7 am, the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country has reached 32.36 crore under Nationwide Vaccination Drive.
"India achieves another milestone in COVID-19 vaccination and overtakes the USA in a total number of Covid vaccine doses administered," the ministry said.
The active cases declined to 5,72,994 comprising 1.89 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 96.80 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A net decline of 13,409 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
Also, 15,70,515 tests were conducted on Sunday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 40,63,71,279.
Meanwhile, the pace of vaccination in the country is increasing with an average of over 60 lakh vaccinations taking place on a daily basis. But it faces the challenge of a gender gap: 54 per cent men have received the vaccine compared to 46 per cent women -- a gap of 8 per cent. In terms of population, India has only 5 per cent more men than women.
For some misinformation is a barrier. Saroj Gupta, 40, lives in a one-room accommodation at a slum in South-West Delhi's Munirka. Her husband works as a security guard and the couple have four children.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
COVID-19 Vaccination Camp Organised For Empowering Sex Workers In Kolkata's SonagachiThe Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, in association with Kolkata Municipal Corporation on Monday organised a vaccination camp for empowering sex workers at Sonagachi in Kolkata.
Bishakha Laskar, committee chief told ANI, "Vaccination is their only hope against COVID. Around 300 sex workers have been vaccinated."
"On Monday, vaccination program for sex workers in the age group of 18-60 has been conducted, in Sonagachi wherein around 300 sex workers were vaccinated against COVID-19. The drive will continue for the next two days. It was important for sex workers to have such a set-up where they could get themselves vaccinated as they come in contact with many people. Based on the list we have, we are getting all sex workers vaccinated and arranging vaccination for those who have documents and those who don't," Ms Laskar said.
Delhi Government Asks Hospitals To Reduce Number Of Covid Beds Amid Fall In CasesWith daily COVID-19 cases in the national capital showing a declining trend, the Delhi government on Monday asked private hospitals with 100 or more beds to scale down the number of oxygen beds reserved for Covid patients to 30 per cent of their total capacity.
For hospitals with less than 100 beds, the government left it to them whether they want to reserve any beds for Covid patients.
Over 34,000 Children Have Tested COVID-19 Positive During Second Wave In AssamAltogether 34,066 children below the age of 18 years have tested positive for COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic in Assam, Director, National Health Mission of the state, Dr Lakshmanan S said on Monday.
This accounts for 12 per cent of the total cases reported since April this year.
A total of 5,755 cases are children below five years whereas 28,851 are between 6 and 18 years.
Bengal Reports 32 More Covid Deaths, 1,761 Fresh CasesWest Bengal's Covid-19 tally rose to 17,644 after 32 more people died due to the disease on Monday, the health department said in a bulletin.
The tally mounted to 14,96,710 after 1,761 new people tested positive for the disease, it added.
While North 24 Parganas district accounted for nine fatalities, seven deaths were registered in Kolkata.
42 COVID-19 Deaths, 2,640 New Positive Cases In AssamAssam's coronavirus tally rose to 5,03,333 on Monday as 2,689 people tested positive for the infection while 42 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 4,482, the National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.
The new cases were detected out of testing of 1,33,543 samples on Monday and the positivity rate for the day was 2.01 per cent.
China's virus response stars at warm-up show for Communist Party 100thChinese President Xi Jinping led the applause at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium late Monday for a spectacular celebration of Communist Party history, with China's rebound from the coronavirus given special treatment. The event, held under tight security and not broadcast live on television, comes before the July 1 centenary of the party that has shaped the modern history of China, guiding the country from war-torn to superpower status.
A special dedication was given to China's "defeat" of Covid-19, with performers in PPE and soldiers wearing masks. Xi has carefully reframed the pandemic, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, as a victory for party organisation and Chinese resilience under his watch.
US Covid cases hit new plateau as Delta variant risesAfter declining fast for two months, the rate of Covid infections in the United States has leveled off since mid-June thanks to localized spikes in under-vaccinated regions of the country, data showed Monday. It comes as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to gain traction, now accounting for 35.6 percent of sequenced cases in the past two weeks, according to the covSpectrum tracker. Authorities have said it is poised to soon become the country's dominant strain.
The seven-day-average of new daily cases has hovered at around 11,500 since June 16, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or about 3.5 per 100,000 people. A clear divide has emerged across the country, with cases rising rapidly in communities that have low rates of vaccination.
Delhi records 59 new COVID-19 cases, lowest this yearDelhi recorded this year's lowest single-day spike with 59 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours. According to the health bulletin, the national capital registered 72 recoveries in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative recoveries to 14,07,473. The active number of Covid cases in the national capital stands at 1,553.
The new cases pushed the cumulative caseload of the national capital to 14,33,993 while the new fatalities took the death count to 24,967.
Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu drop below 5,000-markThe downward graph of Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu continued, with the state witnessing a dip in both the new infections as well as active
cases. The new cases dropped below the 5,000-mark at 4,804 taking the caseload to 24,70,678.
With 98 people dying due to the infection, the death count has risen to 32,388. Active cases stand at 40,954.
Karnataka launches Covid vaccination drive for students pursuing higher studiesVaccination of students pursuing higher studies started in the state from today, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said.
"There are 24,37,732 students pursuing higher studies in the state. We are starting their vaccination from today. We want to vaccinate students to resume higher education classes," Mr Sudhakar said. He added that parents of children below 10 years will also be vaccinated on a priority basis.
Centre to issue free tourist visas to first 5 lakh tourists after international travel resumesAs part of efforts to revive the tourism sector which has been hit hard due to COVID-19, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced some measures including free tourist visas to the first five lakh tourists. She said financial support will be provided to more than 11,000 registered tourist guides and travel and tourism stakeholders
She said that under the new Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID-affected sectors, working capital or personal loans will be provided to people in the tourism sector to discharge liabilities and restart businesses impacted due to COVID-19.
Russia's Moscow, Saint Petersburg post record daily coronavirus deathsRussia's main coronavirus hotspots Moscow and Saint Petersburg reached new pandemic highs for Covid-19 deaths on Monday, as the country battles a surging third wave driven by the Delta variant. The new records come as second city Saint Petersburg is set to host a Euro 2020 quarter-final on Friday, with organisers maintaining the match will go ahead as planned.
An official tally Monday showed that Saint Petersburg had reported 110 coronavirus fatalities over the past 24 hours, while Moscow reported 124 -- topping records both cities had set over the weekend. Nationwide infections grew by 21,650, bringing Russia's caseload to nearly 5.5 million -- the fifth highest worldwide, according to an AFP tally.
Mask-free and "low risk", Italy welcomes milestoneItalians were finally able to go outside without masks Monday after the whole country became a "low-risk" zone for coronavirus, a milestone for the first European country to be hit by the global pandemic in February 2020. In a decree that took effect Monday, the health ministry for the first time classified each of Italy's 20 regions as "white", the lowest of four categories under a colour-coded classification system that evaluates Covid-19 risk.
It means facemasks are no longer compulsory in outdoor areas -- welcome news in a country where an ongoing heatwave is expected to push temperatures past 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some southern areas this week. However, many people out and about on Monday morning were still wearing their masks, whether through habit or continued concern.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Brits heading to Spain islands need test or vaccine
British holidaymakers heading to the Balearic Islands will need to show a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination due to a rise in UK Covid infections, Spain said Monday, reversing a free-entry policy, AFP reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Covid-19 curbs reimposed in Moscow as Asia-Pacific outbreaks flare
Work-from-home restrictions were reimposed in Moscow on Monday as Russia tried to contain a deadly coronavirus wave fuelled by the Delta variant, while several Asian nations also tightened curbs to contain growing outbreaks, AFP reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Sri Lanka to discipline players after Covid bubble breach
Sri Lanka's cricket board on Monday initiated disciplinary action against three players, including vice-captain Kusal Mendis, after videos emerged appearing to show them breaching their bio-secure Covid bubble in England.
Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella were seen smoking in the streets of Durham, where they are based ahead of this week's first one-day international at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, AFP reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Australia's COVID-19 response team holds urgent meeting amid outbreak
Australia's COVID-19 response committee is due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday as outbreaks of the highly contagious Delta variant across the country prompted a lockdown in Sydney and renewed restrictions elsewhere.
More than 20 million Australians, or around 80% of the population, are now under some form of lockdown or COVID-related restrictions as officials grapple with COVID-19 flare-ups in almost every state or territory, reuters reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Thousands stranded in Bangladesh ahead of sweeping Covid lockdown
Thousands of people were stranded in Bangladesh's capital on Monday as authorities halted almost all public transport ahead of a sweeping lockdown imposed to combat a deadly resurgence of Covid-19 infections.
The country reported 119 deaths on Sunday, its highest-ever daily death count from the pandemic, while new infections have been averaging around 5,000 for the past few days, AFP reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: With over 32.36 crore COVID-19 vaccinations, India overtakes US in total doses administered
In another significant COVID-19 vaccination milestone, India has overtaken the United States of America in the total number of vaccine doses administered so far, the union health ministry informed on Monday.
As many as 32,36,63,297 doses have been administered in India since the vaccination drive started on January 16, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Mizoram reports 233 new COVID-19 cases, positivity rate at 6.51 per cent
Mizoram reports 233 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and the daily positivity rate has dropped to 6.51 per cent, informed the state Department of Information and Public Relations on Monday.
The number of cumulative cases in the state has mounted to 19,324.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Brazil reports 739 more COVID-19 deaths
Brazil registered 739 more deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the national death count to 513,474, the health ministry said Sunday.
A total of 33,704 new infections were detected, raising the total caseload to 18,420,598, the ministry said.
Coronavirus: 9 New COVID-19 Cases Push Andamans Tally To 7,455
Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported nine new cases of COVID-19, pushing the tally in the union territory to 7,455, a health official said on Monday. Of the nine new cases, two were detected during contact tracing and seven were airport arrivals, he said. Passengers arriving by flight have to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test before they are allowed entry into the islands, the official said.
Coronavirus Update: Around 70% Australians Under Covid Restrictions Amid Delta Variant Surge
Australia's COVID-19 response committee is due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday as outbreaks of the highly contagious Delta variant across the country prompted a lockdown in Sydney and renewed restrictions elsewhere. Around 18 million Australians, or around 70% of the population, are now under some form of lockdown or COVID-related restrictions as officials grapple with COVID-19 flare-ups in almost every state or territory.
Coronavirus: Delhi Minister Says 2.05 Lakh People Vaccinated In A Day
Over 2.05 lakh people in Delhi received anti-coronavirus vaccine shots on Saturday, the highest in a day till now, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. AAP MLA Atishi said the Delhi government has written to the Centre requesting them to provide 45 lakh doses of vaccine for July.
Coronavirus: Akhilesh Yadav's UP Campaign Song Critiques Government's Covid Handling
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has shared a 2 min 19-second promotional video on Twitter, the first campaign theme for the party and for Mr Yadav this election season, with just months to go before the crucial 2022 assembly polls. Mr Yadav shared the video song with the tagline
"Sukh dukh main saath nibhaaya hai, sukh dukh main saath nibhaayenge" (have been with you through joy and sorrow and will continue to do so).
Read Here Coronavirus Latest: India Reports 46,148 New COVID-19 Cases, 979 Deaths In Last 24 Hours
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 3,02,79,331 with 46,148 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries have crossed 2.93 crores, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death count increased to 3,96,730 with 979 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Mizoram reports 233 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total cases to 19,324 in the state. Active cases at 4,370.
COVID-19: More Men Got Vaccines Than Women. Centre Says Correction Needed
The pace of vaccination in the country is increasing with an average of over 60 lakh vaccinations taking place on a daily basis. But it faces the challenge of a gender gap: 54 per cent men have received the vaccine compared to 46 per cent women -- a gap of 8 per cent. In terms of population, India has only 5 per cent more men than women.
Read Here India Capable To Store Vaccines Requiring Low Temperatures: Centre Tells Supreme Court
India has the capacity to store vaccines that may require a lower temperature in the range of minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Celsius and there are over 29,000 cold chain points (CCPs) across the country where vaccines are stored at the recommended temperatures, the centre has told the Supreme Court.
Availability Of Covid Vaccine For Children Will Pave Way For Reopening Of Schools: AIIMS Chief
Making COVID-19 vaccine available for children will be a milestone achievement and pave the way for reopening of schools and resumption of outdoor activities for them, AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria has said. He said the data of phase two and three trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin on two to 18 years age group is expected by September. The vaccine can be available for children in India around that time following approval from the drug regulator, he said.
COVID-19: Does Delta Plus Variant Harm Lungs More? What Central Panel Chief Said
The Delta plus variant of COVID-19 has greater affinity to lung tissues as compared to other strains but it does not mean that it will cause severe disease or is more transmissible, head of coronavirus working group NTAGI Dr N K Arora said. A new viral variant of the coronavirus, Delta Plus, was identified on June 11. It was recently classified as a variant of concern.
Coronavirus News: AstraZeneca Tests Booster Vaccine Against Beta Variant Of Covid
AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford on Sunday began new trials to test a modified vaccine against the Beta variant, which first emerged in South Africa. The 'booster' vaccine's trial will involve around 2,250 participants from Britain, South Africa, Brazil and Poland.
COVID-19: Gurugram's Fortis hospital begins Sputnik V trial run for public
The Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram has started its pilot soft launch of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine ''Sputnik V'' and the hospital has procured the vaccine stock directly from Dr Reddy's Laboratories.
"The response to the pilot soft launch of the Sputnik V has been overwhelming at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram. The vaccination launch was successfully driven in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories," said a statement issued by the Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
COVID-19: Does Delta Plus Variant Harm Lungs More? What Central Panel Chief Said
The Delta plus variant of COVID-19 has greater affinity to lung tissues as compared to other strains but it does not mean that it will cause severe disease or is more transmissible, head of coronavirus working group NTAGI Dr N K Arora said.
A new viral variant of the coronavirus, Delta Plus, was identified on June 11. It was recently classified as a variant of concern.
Till now, 51 cases of Delta Plus have been detected across 12 states, with Maharashtra reporting the maximum cases of this variant.