Covid-19 Cases in India: A total of 81,466 new cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours on April 2.
A new Covid variant that needs more antibodies to fight it and has more severe symptoms has been found by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The variant - B.1.1.28.2 - was detected in samples from two travellers from Brazil but not from anyone in India.
The new variant is seen to have "increased severity" and higher levels of antibodies are needed to neutralise the B.1.1.28.2 variant, NIV sources told NDTV. The strain was found in people who came from Brazil and the UK.
"We found it earlier but it is not in circulation in the country now so we do not see it as a matter of public health importance," the sources said.
Meanwhile, forty-four crore doses of Covid vaccines will be made available to the country from August, the government today said amid a raging shortage that has forced a closure of vaccine centres in many states. These doses will be delivered between August and December 2021, the Union Health Ministry said.
The health ministry announcement -- that orders have been placed for 25 crore doses of Covishield and 19 crore doses of Covaxin to achieve universalization of vaccination -- came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a fresh vaccine policy.
The new policy takes back the onus of vaccine purchase from the states. The finance ministry said today that the new programme will cost around Rs 50,000 crore and the Centre has the necessary funds.
India reported less than one lakh new coronavirus infections after a gap of 63 days, while the daily positivity rate dropped to 4.62 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
A single day rise of 86,498 cases were registered, the lowest in 66 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,89,96,473,
The COVID-19 death count climbed to 3,51,309 with 2,123 daily deaths, the lowest in around 47 days, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A total of 81,466 new cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours on April 2.
Also, 18,73,485 tests were conducted on Monday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 36,82,07,596.
The daily positivity rate has dropped to 4.62 per cent . It has been less than 10 per cent for 15 consecutive days, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre is taking back vaccine-buying from states, the Finance Ministry said the programme will cost around ₹ 50,000 crore and the government has the money.
"We don't need to go for the supplementary grants immediately as there are enough funds. We may have to go for this in the second round, near the winter session of Parliament. At present we have the money," Finance Ministry sources said.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus:
Naveen Patnaik Emphasises On Preparatory Measures Gor Possible Third Covid Wave
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reviewed the COVID-19 situation and its management in the state and emphasised on the advance preparatory measures for the possible third wave of the pandemic, reported news agency ANI.
During the review meeting with senior government officials and district collectors, Mr Patnaik said, "Even though the situation has improved in the state, we are still not completely free from the effects of the second wave, so with the advent of various festivals, we need to be more vigilant."
Telangana Extends Covid Lockdown Till June 19 With Relaxations
Keeping in view the number of Covid cases in some districts of the state, Telangana has extended the lockdown for another 10 days, starting June 10, reported news agency ANI.
"The spread of Covid is not under control in Satthupalli, Madhira, Nalgonda, Nagarjuna Sagar, Munugode, Devarakonda, Miryalguda Assembly segments. Therefore, it has been decided to extend the existing lockdown," the state cabinet said.
The cabinet has also decided to ease restrictions between 6 am to 5 pm during the lockdown and also granted an additional one hour, till 6 pm, for people to reach home from their offices.
Two elderly Covid patients, who got antibody therapy on Jun 1, test negative
Two Covid-positive senior citizens with heart complications, who were administered the monoclonal antibody therapy at a leading private facility in Delhi a week ago, have "tested negative" for the coronavirus infection, a senior doctor of the hospital said on Tuesday.
The therapy is said to reduce the chances of hospitalisation by 70 per cent in patients with mild to moderate symptoms, according to medical experts.
Sunirmal Ghatak (70) and Suresh Kumar Trehan (65) were administered a cocktail of Casirivimab and Imdevimab at the BLK hospital as part of this single-dose infusion-based treatment on June 1.
Mr Ghatak, with a known heart problem, had undergone angioplasty with stenting in the past, the hospital had earlier said in a statement.
Mr Trehan had reported to the hospital over a week ago with severe breathlessness and was unable to lie down due to respiratory distress. He had no previous history of any ailment. His echocardiography showed a strained heart with an ejection fraction of only 25 per cent, the hospital had said.
US state offers 'joints for jabs' to boost Covid vaccine use
Cannabis dispensaries in the northwestern state -- where recreational marijuana sales were legalized in 2012 -- will be allowed to offer one free, pre-rolled joint to anyone aged 21 or above who gets vaccinated at an in-store clinic.
The move follows a decision last month to allow bars and other liquor licensees to provide one free alcoholic drink to adults in Washington state who receive their jabs within a six-week "window."
Just over half of Washington state adults (54 percent) have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine so far, according to recent health department figures.
But the pace of inoculations has slowed down across much of the country in recent weeks, leading to a flurry of measures to encourage more uptake.
Several states including California and Ohio have operated vaccine "lotteries" offering cash prizes or college scholarships to randomly selected vaccine recipients.
Covishield At 780, Covaxin At 1,410: Maximum Price For Private HospitalsThe Centre today fixed the maximum price that private hospitals can charge for Covid vaccines amid sharp allegations of profiteering.
Under it, the price of Covishield has been fixed at ₹ 780, Covaxin at ₹ 1,410, and Russian vaccine Sputnik V at ₹ 1,145. This includes taxes as well as a 150 rupee service charge for the hospitals.
The Center has asked the states not to allow private hospitals to levy more than ₹ 150 as service charge. The state governments have been asked to monitor the private hospitals regularly and strict action will be taken against any private vaccination center for charging more.
In government-run institutions, the vaccine will be provided for free to all eligible persons, Prime Minister Modi said yesterday while announcing the revised vaccine policy in an address to the nation.
Update| Telangana government extends COVID-19 restrictions for 10 more days from June 10; night curfew (6 pm-6am) to continue.
445 Film Artists, Technicians Vaccinated Against COVID-19Altogether 450 people, including artistes and technicians, were vaccinated on Tuesday as the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India began a free COVID-19 inoculation drive in the city.
FCTWEI President Swaroop Biswas said the drive was conducted at the ''Chalachchitra Satabarsha Bhaban'' in south Kolkata evoking a huge response.
"We aim to vaccinate 6,000 people in the industry in the coming days as part of our initiative to ensure vaccination for all in the entertainment sector. We call upon all stakeholders to come forward so that we can make our shooting zones free from the threat of coronavirus," Mr Biswas said.
797 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In UP, 94 More DeathsUttar Pradesh's COVID-19 caseload surged to 16,99,787 on Tuesday with 797 fresh infections while the death count climbed to 21,425 as 94 more people died due to the disease.
Lucknow reported the highest number of fresh cases at 50, followed by 33 from Pilibhit, 31 from Gorakhpur, 29 from Varanasi, 27 from Kanpur Nagar, 25 from Meerut, 24 from Siddharthnagar, 23 from Kushinagar, 22 from Allahabad, 21 from Ghaziabad and 20 each from Muzaffarnagar and Gautam Buddh Nagar, according to a health department bulletin.
UP Trader Welfare Body Urges PM Modi To Provide Help To Overcome Pandemic CrisisCongratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for relief given to COVID-19-hit 80 crore people, Uttar Pradesh Vyapaari Kalyan Board Chairman Ravi Kant Garg has requested PM Modi to offer a similar facility to middle class and small traders.
"Over 30 crore middle class and small traders are suffering from first and second waves of the pandemic. They need government assistance as they also have reached hand-to-mouth stage, and are under heavy debt," Ravi Kant Garg, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Vyapaari Kalyan Board, said in a virtual interaction with the reporters on Tuesday.
He said the electricity department's existing minimum bill system is a "curse for small traders and the middle class", as they used the least amount of power.
Jammu And Kashmir's Bandipora Achieves 100% Vaccination Of 45-Plus Age Group In 20 VillagesBandipora in Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 percent vaccination of eligible persons in 45-plus age group in 20 villages while the overall percentage of vaccinated persons in the targeted age group was 85 percent in the district, an official said on Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Owais Ahmad said the district administration has been able to administer one lakh doses and vaccinate the 100 percent population of the eligible age group in 20 villages of the district.
Goa To Open Up Vaccination For 18-44 Age Group Heading AbroadThe Goa government on Tuesday said it will open up COVID-19 vaccination for persons in the 18 to 44 age group, who need to travel abroad, from Wednesday onwards.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the state will administer the first dose of vaccines to people in 18-44 age category, who need to travel abroad for work, education and sporting events, as per the centre's guidelines.
INS Tarkash Brings Medical Supplies To Mumbai From Kuwait, Saudi ArabiaIndian Naval Ship Tarkash on Tuesday brought in critical medical supplies from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to Mumbai harbour in its third trip as part of operation Samudra Setu II, an official said.
As per a release issued by the Navy, INS Tarkash had first entered Al Shuwaikh Harbour in Kuwait on May 31 and took in 785 oxygen cylinders.
The ship then took in 300 oxygen cylinders from Ad Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia on June 1 and entered Mumbai harbour with the medical consignment on Tuesday morning, the release stated.
Chandigarh Allows Opening Of Shops Till 6 PM, Restaurants, Bars With 50% CapacityAs COVID-19 cases show a declining trend in the Union Territory, the Chandigarh administration on Tuesday eased restrictions, allowing all shops to remain open till 6 pm and reducing the night curfew timing, news agency PTI reported.
The administration also allowed all restaurants, bars, gyms, clubs and spas to open with 50 per cent capacity.
However, the cinema halls and theatres will continue to remain closed.
The city is witnessing a consistent drop in daily number of infections. On Monday, Chandigarh had registered 48 new cases, taking the infection tally to 60,707.
Mumbai's Dharavi Records Six New COVID-19 CasesA day after the civic authorities relaxed certain curbs, the daily count of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai's Dharavi rose to six on Tuesday, a senior official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
With the addition of six new cases in the last 24-hours, the tally of infection in the slum-dominated area has reached 6,844, the official said.
At least 6,465 patients have recovered from the infection so far, leaving the area with 20 active cases, he said.
Jharkhand Reports 6 Fresh COVID-19 Deaths, Lowest In Over A MonthJharkhand reported six fresh COVID-19 fatalities, the lowest in a single day in May and June so far, raising the death count to 5,060, a health department bulletin said on Tuesday.
The state reported 358 new infections, which took the tally to 3,41,576, it said.
Jharkhand now has 5,312 active cases, while a total of 3,31,204 patients have recovered from the disease, including 726 during the last 24 hours.
Huge Crowds Throng Jammu's Old City Market, Violate Covid Safety ProtocolsAs markets opened in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the unclock process following a month-long Covid-induced lockdown, the Old City of Jammu on Tuesday witnessed a huge rush of people who flouting all Covid-protocols, news agency ANI reported.
The Old City market of Jammu is filled mostly with readymade garment shops, and the local administration had allowed the opening up of these shops on Tuesday. But considering that the market is a congested one, and with a huge influx of visitors on the first day of its opening, there are fears of a high probability of the spread of Covid-19 infection.
Divyam Sharma, a local resident said, "We Indians do not realize the intensity of it all. After the first wave, we all got too lenient and we could see the effect of it in the second wave. Now again, it's not even been a week that the situation has started improving, and people are back on streets...many of them don't even have masks on".
China To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine To Children As Young As ThreeChina has approved the emergency use of a Covid-19 vaccine for those as young as three, the drugmaker confirmed Tuesday, making it the first country to offer jabs to young children.
Since the coronavirus first emerged in central China, Beijing has mostly managed to bring the country's outbreak under control, and has administered over 777 million vaccine doses after a sluggish start.
A spokesperson for Sinovac told AFP its vaccine had been approved for use on children.
"Vaccine Waste Will Affect Allocation": Centre's Warning To StatesCovid vaccine allocation to states may be negatively affected by high wastage rates, the government said Tuesday as part of revised guidelines for the national vaccination drive.
Guidelines released today said the government will procure 75 per cent of vaccines produced in India and distribute them to states "based on criteria such as population, disease burden and progress of vaccination". "Wastage of vaccine will affect the allocation negatively," it said.
Uttarakhand: 10% Recovered Patients Need Hospitalisation With Post-COVID ComplicationsAmid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, at least 10 per cent of people who recovered from the coronavirus infection are being admitted to hospitals again in Dehradun due to post-Covid complication like fungal infections and shortness of breath, officials said.
"Patients who are coming to the hospital after recovering from corona are facing black fungus, lung infection, chest pain, persistent cough, fever, weakness, uncontrolled sugar and kidney problems. Among them, the number of elderly people is more," said Dr Narainjeet Singh, Covid Nodal Officer, Doon Hospital, Uttarakhand.
According to Dr Singh, the second wave of the pandemic is more serious as patients need oxygen support even after recovery from the viral infection, leading to their hospitalisation.
Over 24.65 Crore COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Provided To States, Union Territories: Centre
The Centre has provided more than 24 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to States and Union Territories till date, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday. "More than 24 crore (24,65,44,060) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through Government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category and of this, the total consumption, including wastages, is 23,47,43,489 doses (as per data available at 8 am today)," it said. The ministry further said that 1,19,46,925 COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States and Union Territories to be administered.
Coronavirus: 317 New COVID-19 Cases Push Mizoram's Tally To 13,996
Mizoram on Tuesday reported 317 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state's tally to 13,996, an official statement said. Of the fresh cases, Aizawl district reported the highest at 251, followed by Kolasib district (21) and Lawngtlai district (17). The remaining cases were from Lunglei, Serchhip, Saitual, Siaha, Mamit and Khawzawl districts, it said.
Coronavirus: India's Daily COVID-19 Count Under 1 Lakh After 63 Days, Positivity 4.62%
India today reported 86,498 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, its lowest in 66 days, showed government data. The total cases now stand at 2,89,96473. The daily deaths were at 2,123.
Read Here Punjab Government Shouldn't Have Sold Covid Vaccines To Private Hospitals: P Chidambaram
Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday said Punjab Government should not have sold COVID vaccines to private hospitals. Responding to a question on the alleged selling of COVID vaccines by Punjab Government to private hospitals, the Congress leader said, "I agree that Punjab government should not have given vaccines to private hospitals. But what is the proportion of vaccines they gave to private hospitals in few days when that policy was in force? Maybe 1-2 per cent. They have corrected it now."
India Reports 86,498 New Covid Cases, Daily Count Under 1 Lakh After 63 Days
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 2,89,96,473 with 86,498 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries have crossed 2.73 crores, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death count increased to 3,51,309 with 2,123 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A total of 36,82,07,596 samples have been tested for #COVID19 in the country, up to June 7 including 18,73,485 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
US Report Concluded COVID-19 May Have Leaked From Wuhan Lab: Report
A report on the origins of COVID-19 by a US government national laboratory concluded that the hypothesis claiming the virus leaked from a Chinese lab in Wuhan is plausible and deserves further investigation, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the classified document. The study was prepared in May 2020 by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California and was referred by the State Department when it conducted an inquiry into the pandemic's origins during the final months of the Trump administration, the report said.
PM Modi Cleared Covid Vaccination Revamp In Principle On June 1: Sources
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the in-principle nod to revamp the existing Covid vaccination policy on June 1 itself and the groundwork, too, began that day, government sources have said. The observation came amid assertion by opposition leaders that the government had Monday corrected its course following the sharp comments from the Supreme Court last week against the new, liberalised inoculation drive.
Read Here New York plans huge August concert to celebrate post-Covid "rebirth"New York is planning to host a major concert in Central Park in August as a way to celebrate the city's "rebirth" following the Covid-19 pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. No program details were revealed, but De Blasio has asked veteran music producer Clive Davis -- who often draws A-listers to his events -- to organize the line-up.
"You can see the comeback happening," De Blasio told a press conference, announcing a "Homecoming Week" of events to celebrate the Big Apple's emergence from the pandemic, which hit the city especially hard in the early days.
WHO chief says COVID-19 vaccine inequity creates "two-track pandemic"Glaring COVID-19 vaccine inequality has created a "two-track pandemic" with Western countries protected and poorer nations still exposed, World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday, renewing pleas for shot donations.
"Increasingly, we see a two-track pandemic," Tedros told reporters during a press conference from Geneva. "Six months since the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered, high-income countries have administered almost 44% of the world's doses. Low-income countries have administered just 0.4%. The most frustrating thing about this statistic is that it hasn't changed in months."