India still has more than 1 lakh active cases across the country. (File)
India's COVID-19 count on Sunday crossed 2.50 lakh mark with the highest ever single-day spike of 9,971 new cases in the last 24 hours, according to the details shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Maharashtra registered 3,007 new cases in the last 24 hours, the government said, and remains the worst state in the country with 82,968 cases. With 91 more deaths, the number of deaths in the state now is 3060, the official said.
India has become the fifth worst coronavirus-hit country in the world as it surpassed Spain on Saturday, reporting a grand total of around 2,44,000 cases. Now, only the US, Brazil, Russia and the UK have more cases than India. Spain, a COVID-19 epicentre weeks ago, has 2,40,978 cases.
Maharashtra tops the charts in terms of total confirmed cases, active cases, recoveries and deaths. Delhi is at the second place in terms of active cases, though it is third after Tamil Nadu in terms of total cases.
AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, in an exclusive interview to NDTV, said coronavirus cases in India could peak in two to three months but he maintained that there is no community transmission nationally.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Outbreak:
Health Ministry publishes New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules
The Union Health Ministry has come up with draft New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules, inserting provisions for "compassionate use" of any unapproved drug that is in the phase-III clinical trial, either in India or abroad, by importing or indigenous manufacturing.
The move is aimed at facilitating availability of new drugs which are in Phase-III clinical trials (human trials) for severely-ill COVID-19 patients in the country.
According to a gazette notification of the draft rules published on June 5, a hospital or medical institution may import new drug for "compassionate use for treatment of patients suffering from life threatening disease or disease causing serious permanent disability or disease requiring therapy for unmet medical need", which has not been permitted in the country, but under Phase-III clinical trial in the country or abroad, by making an application to the Central Drug Regulator.
Religious places, malls to remain closed till June 30 in Odisha
Based on the assessment of the situation, Odisha on Sunday extended the coronavirus-induced lockdown till midnight of June 30.
In the new order, state government said that all religious places or places of worship for the public will continue to remain closed till June 30. All shopping malls will also continue to remain closed.
Restaurants and hotels will be permitted for home delivery/takeaways of food including home delivery of food by aggregators such as Zomato, Swiggy.
COVID-19 case count in Bihar crosses 5,000-mark
More than 5,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in Bihar till now, while 30 people have died of the infection in the state.
On Sunday, the state witnessed a major spike with 239 fresh cases.
The total number of cases stands at 5,070 and at least 2,405 people infected with the virus have been discharged upon recovery till date, officials said.
Jammu and Kashmir crosses 4,000 cases with biggest single-day jump
Jammu and Kashmir records biggest single-day spike of 620 fresh COVID-19 cases; tally crosses 4,000-mark: Official
7 more test positive for coronavirus in Himachal, state total at 407
With seven more positive cases reported for COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours, the state tally for coronavirus cases have reached to 407.
"Seven more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh, taking the total number of cases to 407 out of which 188 cases are active," Himachal Pradesh Health Department said on Sunday.
Out of 1,367 people tested on Sunday, four have resulted positive and 726 tested COVID-19 negative. However, 637 samples' results are still awaited.
The state has reported 210 patients recovered while five have died due to COVID-19.
Ahmedabad COVID-19 death count crosses 1,000; total cases 14,285Number of COVID-19 deaths in Gujarat's Ahmedabad crossed the 1,000-mark on Sunday and
reached to 1,015 with 21 more people dying, a health official said.
The number of cases in the district rose by 318 to 14,285.
A total of 223 patients were discharged in the day, he said.
Coronavirus cases India: Haryana's COVID-19 count crosses 4,000 mark
Haryana on Sunday reported 191 COVID-19 cases, including 78 from the worst-affected Gurgaon district, as the infection tally breached the 4,000-mark, according to the state health department's bulletin.
With the fresh cases, the virus count in Gurgaon, which falls in the national capital region, rose to 1,770. There are 1,395 active cases in the district, the bulletin said. The total cases in Haryana has now reached 4,143.
Among other districts, Faridabad reported 55 fresh cases while Narnaul 25.
Haryana had on Saturday recorded its highest single-day jump in novel coronavirus cases so far at 355.
100 wards of Dehradun Municipal Corporation being sanitized amid rising COVID-19 cases
In view of increasing COVID-19 cases, sanitization work is being carried out in 100 wards of Dehradun Municipal Corporation across the city.
The sanitization work commenced on Saturday and it will be finished by today evening.
"Along with 56 vehicles with a capacity of 3000 litres, large and small fire brigade vehicles motor-operated machines are being used for sanitization," Vinay Shankar Pandey, Chief Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Dehradun said while speaking to news agency ANI.
Two die of coronavirus in Karnataka; 239 new cases confirmed
Number of deaths due to coronavirus reached 61 in Karnataka with two more deaths, while 239 more tested positive for the viral infection, pushing the tally in the state to 5,452, the health department said on Sunday.
The total COVID-19 cases in the state include 2,132 discharges, 3,257 active cases and 61 deaths.
11 new COVID-19 cases in Nagaland; count rises to 118
Eleven more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nagaland, taking the northeastern state''s tally to 118, officials said on Sunday.
Ten of the new patients had returned to the state from Chennai and one from Delhi, said Shanavas C, principal director of the School Education Department and a member of the state government's high-powered committee on COVID-19.
They were kept in government quarantine centres in Dimapur district, Health and Family Welfare Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
A total of 338 samples were tested in the last 24 hours and results of 11 people who are from Dimapur have came back positive for COVID-19, he said.
COVID-19 cases in Aurangabad district go past 2,000 mark
The number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district crossed the 2,000 mark and reached to 2,020 on Sunday after 70 more people tested positive for the infection, a district official said. The number of deaths stands at 99 so far.
The number of the recovered patients stood at 1,184 while 737 others are undergoing treatment, the official said.
When asked about the rise in the number of cases, municipal commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey said, "We are in the unlock mode now".
He said a change is observed in the trajectory of coronavirus, which has been in Aurangabad since the last three months now. "In the beginning, cases were reported from densely-populated areas and the average contacts of an infected person used to be 20.
Number of COVID-19 deaths in Bihar 30, tally climbs to 4,972
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Bihar has climbed to 30 after a 51-year-old migrant worker who returned from Delhi and died in Muzaffarpur a few days ago, tested positive, the health department said.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state soared to 4,972, of which 141 were reported on Sunday, it said.
According to a release issued by the Muzaffarpur district administration, the migrant worker who died as well as his wife have tested positive. The couple had been lodged upon arrival at a quarantine centre in Katra block and their samples were collected on June 2.
The man had been ill and after his condition worsened despite medical aid provided at the local primary health centre, he was shifted to the Sadar Hospital on the night of June 4 where he died the next morning.
Delhi-based firm comes up with immunity-booster herbal formulation to fight COVID-19
With the Centre accelerating efforts to restart long-stalled business activities to contain the economic cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Delhi-based company has come up with Ayush Kwath, an immunity booster herbal formulation in easy-to-carry sachets to help protect people on the move from contracting the virus.
The AYUSH ministry on April 24 had handed out a herbal decoction recipe to the states and Union Territories asking them to promote its commercial manufacturing stating that it can boost body's immunity.
The formulation made of basil leaves, cinnamon bark, dry ginger powder black pepper will be manufactured and sold in generic name ''Ayush Kwath'' or ''Ayush Kudineer'' or ''Ayush Joshanda'', according to a letter written by the ministry to all the states, UTs and ayurveda-siddha-unani (ASU) drug manufacturers on April 24.
CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, Develops Cost-Effective Mechanical Ventilator
The CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, has developed a mechanical ventilator with indigenous technology which can be used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and those experiencing breathing difficulty.
Portability and cost-effectiveness are the two most important features of the product, a senior official of the institute said.
The mechanical ventilator developed by the institute will cost around Rs 90,000-1,00,000.
Elaborating on the device, Director CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, Prof (Dr) Harish Hirani said on Friday, "Its bellow design, controllers and embedded electronics have all been customised to ensure price efficacy as well as meeting the requirements of relevant industries.
Coronavirus India: Religious places to hold prayers in shifts, start token system in Gujarat
Temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship outside COVID-19 containment zones in Gujarat are planning to open their doors for devotees from Monday after over two months, while taking all precautions to check the spread of COVID-19.
To maintain social distancing and avoid crowding, some of the religious places have decided to organise prayers in shifts and even start a token system to specify time slots to devotees for visits.
The famous Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district will open for local devotees from Monday, but visitors from other districts will have to first register themselves online, starting June 12, an official of the temple trust said.
Devotees have been asked to mandatorily wear face masks, get sanitised before entering the temple premises, and not bring elderly people (those above 65 years of age) and children (below to 10 years) with them, he said.
The temple will only allow priests to conduct the "aarti" with no presence of devotees, the official said.
130 crore people are standing with PM Modi in the fight against coronavirus: Amit Shah
PM Modi has put Rs 72,000 crore in the accounts of 9.5 crore farmers.
I have not seen the country unite at the appeal of a leader. This is the first pandemic where 130 crore Indians fought it along with the governments.
Leaders are trying to hoodwink people in Bihar. But you should distance yourself from these talks especially migrant workers. Remember, the whole country appreciates you. When you look at the foundations of the developed states, you will find the mehek of Bihar in their foundations.
PM Modi said all migrants be put in camps in the states. He asked states to ensure food for them. Then he began trains for the migrant workers.
Almost 1.25 crore people were taken home by PM Modi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's Bihar Jansamvad rally via video conferencing
Some people welcomed our today's virtual rally by clanging 'thalis'. I am glad they finally heard PM Modi's appeal to show gratitude towards those fighting COVID19
This virtual rally is not an election/political rally but it is a rally to bring the people of the country together in our fight against COVID19 pandemic
I want to salute crores of corona warriors who are fighting against the virus by risking their lives. Health workers, police personnel and others, I want to acknowledge their contribution
JP Nadda has organised 75 virtual rally across the country. We shouldn't deviate from our goals no matter what the detractors say.
When PM Modi has come ahead seeking votes, you have given him a majority mandate. Previous governments have neglected eastern India and this part became backward. PM Modi in 6 years has developed this area
50 crore people now don't have to worry about medical expenses. This has happened under Ayushman Bharat.
Ujjawala Yojana has provide cylinders to 8 crore women.
2.5 crore were provided electricity for the first time. They had to used lanterns. Now they use LED lights.
10 crore homes now have bathrooms and toilets
Our goal is when India celebrates 75 years, everyone should have a house of their own. 2.5 crore people were given their own home
After the Pulwama and Uri incidents, airstrikes were conducted.
India's defence policy has gained global acceptance. World now accepts India is the most capable country to guard its borders after US and Israel
I wish speedy recovery to those who are fighting COVID-19: Amit Shah
During the coronavirus pandemic, those who have lost their lives, I offer my condolences and pray for their eternal peace. Those who are fighting the disease, I want to wish them a speedy recovery so that they can join us in making an Atmanirbhar Bharat. I salute and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the corona-warriors.
Bihar has chosen the Modi government twice. The state where the dream of "Akhand Bharat" was realised. The state has fought against dynasty and fought for social equality.
This rally has no relation with the elections.
BJP believes in Jan-Sampark. We should never forget jan-sampark during COVID-19. This rally is for encouraging and motivating people during the crisis
Make concrete arrangements for quarantine centres, community kitchens: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to officials
A day before the country enters the first of the three-phase unlock plan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday stressed that COVID-19 and general hospitals should be inspected regularly and concrete arrangements should be made for quarantine centres and community kitchens.
He also directed officials to make a comprehensive work plan to provide employment to labourers from June 15.
Accelerating efforts to restart long-stalled business activities to contain the economic cost of the pandemic the Centre had on May 30 said ''Unlock-1'' will be initiated in the country from June 8 under which the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown effectuated on March 25 will be relaxed to a great extent.
Yogi Adityanath said, "A nodal officer has been appointed in each district to assist the district magistrate." He directed divisional commissioners to review the various developmental works and revenue-related activities in their areas, according to a statement issued by the UP Chief Minister's office.
Coronavirus: 2 hospitals in Maharashtra's Thane fined Rs 16 lakh for violations
Two hospitals in Thane district in Maharashtra designated as COVID-19 facilities were fined Rs 1 lakh per patient for violation of regulations laid down by the state government, a senior civic official said on Sunday.
Thane Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vishwanath Kelkar said the two hospitals were given several warnings before the fines were imposed under the Maharashtra COVID-19 Rules and the Epidemic Diseases Act.
"The two hospitals were for critical COVID-19 patients and not ones who were asymptomatic or showed mild symptoms. They also kept patients for durations longer than prescribed. The two hospitals have been fined Rs 1 lakh per patient, which comes to Rs 13 lakh in the case of one hospital and Rs 3 lakh in the other," the DMC said.
Chhattisgarh gets first quarantine centre for pregnant women
A quarantine centre exclusively for pregnant women, among the groups most vulnerable due to the coronavirus outbreak, has been set up in Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, an official said on Sunday.
The facility has come up at a community health centre in Kesla village and presently houses eight pregnant women, all migrant workers who had returned from different states amid the lockdown, a public relations department official said.
"On the instructions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, special facilities are being provided to pregnant women, children and senior citizens in quarantine centres. The first quarantine centre for pregnant women has come up in Kesla village of Bilaspur district," he said.
Nutritional food, screening facilities and protective gear are available at the centre, which is sanitised three times a day, and medical personnel have been deployed round the clock, he added.
366 stranded migrants leave for Odisha on three special flights from Jammu
As many as 366 stranded migrants left for Odisha on three special flights from Jammu on Sunday, thanking the Naveen Patnaik government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration for making arrangements for their return, officials said.
The migrants, mostly labourers, were picked up in State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses from various parts of the city shortly after sunrise under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Tahir Firdous and taken to the Jammu airport, they added.
"The first flight, carrying 122 passengers, left for Odisha around 9.30 am, followed by two other flights with equal number of passengers each at 10.20 am and 11.30 am," an airport official said.
Mr Firdous, who was present at the airport during the departure of the passengers, said the Odisha government had arranged the three special flights for its residents.
Delhi's Vasant Kunj mall to reopen from June 8
Kanpur Top Cop Sets An Example, Pays Fine For Not Wearing Mask In Public
Setting an example, Inspector General of Police (Kanpur range) Mohit Agarwal got himself challaned for not wearing a mask in public. Mr Agarwal asked the Station House Officer of Barra police station, Ranjeet Singh, to fine him for stepping out without wearing a mask.
The SHO made the challan and handed over a copy to the IG who paid Rs 100 as fine on the spot.
74 new COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh; tally rises to 997
Chhattisgarh continued to see a spike in COVID-19 cases with 74 more people, mostly migrant workers, testing positive for the disease, taking the state's tally to 997, a health official said on Sunday.
The new patients also included a doctor from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, and two lab technicians, he said.
"The total number of people who tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday surged to 97, with 74 more such cases found late in the night, the official said.
The COVID-19 count in the state is now 997.
Kerala observes complete lockdown today in Kottayam district
Odisha government arranges special flights to airlift stranded people from Jammu
Nearly 350 stranded people from Odisha are being sent back from Jammu Airport in three special flights with all arrangements for their return being made by the Odisha Government.
"Government of Odisha has arranged for their plane tickets, they''ll be going via Air Asia chartered flight with passengers'' capacity of 122 per flight. These people were stranded in different parts of Jammu and during the lockdown, we provided all the facilities to them. Today nearly 366 passengers are to board the flights to Odisha from here," Dr Tahir Firdous Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu said while speaking to news agency ANI.
Coronavirus: 15 more COVID-19 cases in Manipur
15 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Manipur on Saturday night, the state government informed. While six cases were reported from Thoubal, five were reported from Ukhrul, three from Kangpokpi, and one from Imphal West.
The cases are of returnees from Mumbai and Delhi, it added.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the state now stands at 172, including 120 active cases and 52 recoveries.
Delhi government allows reopening of religious places from June 8
Indians who returned from Male, Maldives on INS Jalashwa, disembark at Tuticorin harbour, Tamil Nadu
Coronavirus Lockdown: Jharkhand to airlift stranded migrant labourers from Leh
Jharkhand government will airlift 115 stranded migrant workers from Nubra Valley, Diskit and Chunthug valley on Monday (June 8) and Tuesday (June 9), officials from the Chief Minister's office said.
These migrant labourers were working on a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project in the area and are stuck from the past couple of months due to COVID-19 lockdown.
"Jharkhand Government initiates second and third airlift from Leh starting today; flights will land at Ranchi Airport on 8th and 9th June. 115 workers stranded in BRO projects in far off places at Nubra Valley, Diskit and Chunthug valley are being flown back," a statement from Jharkhand CMO read.
Delhi government will follow centre's guidelines: Arvind KejriwalAll restaurants, malls and places of worship to open in the national capital from tomorrow
Hotels and banquet halls to remain closed in Delhi
I appeal to you all to practice social distancing and wear masks. We need to wash hands regularly.
I appeal to all senior citizens to not interact with children, family members. They are the most prone
We are opening Delhi borders from tomorrow
We had asked Delhi residents whether to allow people from other states to take admission in hospitals. 7.5 lakh people have sent their suggestions. Over 90% have agreed the hospitals be reserved for residents.
We have made a committee of 5 doctors who have estimated that by June end, Delhi will need 15,000 beds. They believe that the 9,000 beds that are currently with us will be taken over in 3 days if we allow people from other states to take admission.
INS Jalashwa enters Tuticorin harbour (Tamil Nadu) carrying 700 Indian nationals returning from Male, Maldives.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath holds a meeting with the officers of 'COVID-19 management team-11'.
Coronavirus news: Biggest single-day jump in COVID-19 Cases In India
India has 2,46,628 coronavirus cases, data from the Union Health Ministry showed this morning, crossing the COVID-19 tally of Spain. India now is ranked fifth in the world in terms of coronavirus cases, after the US, Brazil, Russia and the UK. The total cases in the country include 6,929 people who have died of the highly contagious infection.
Read Here Preparations underway at Hanuman Temple near Connaught Place in Delhi, as Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed re-opening of places of worship from tomorrow
Coronavirus news: India reports 9,971 cases in the last 24 hours
India has 2,46,628 coronavirus cases, data from the Union Health Ministry showed this morning, crossing the COVID-19 tally of Spain. India now is ranked fifth in the world in terms of coronavirus cases, after the US, Brazil, Russia and the UK. The total cases in the country include 6,929 people who have died of the highly contagious infection.
Delhi Medical Association strongly condemns the way Delhi Chief Minister is warning the doctors and threatening hospitals about COVID-19 patients' admissions and tests.
Coronavirus: "No beds," say top hospitals but Delhi COVID app shows many vacant
While the Delhi government maintains that there is no shortage of beds for coronavirus patients in the capital, a number of prominent hospitals in the city have told NDTV that they are running at full capacity amid growing concerns over a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Read More US records 749 coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours: Report
The coronavirus pandemic killed 749 people in the United States in the past 24 hours, according to figures released Saturday by Johns Hopkins University, reports AFP.
Coronavirus news: People arrive at Ghazipur fruit and vegetable market to make purchases
Delhi People arrive at Ghazipur fruit and vegetable market to make purchases, amid coronavirus pandemic.
Delhi Police personnel check vehicles at Ghazipur-Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) border.
US records 749 virus deaths in past 24 hours: Report
The coronavirus pandemic killed 749 people in the United States in the past 24 hours, according to figures released Saturday by Johns Hopkins University.
The latest deaths bring the total in the United States to 109,791, and there have been more than 1.9 million cases, according to a real-time tally maintained by the Baltimore-based university at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday).
Some 500,000 people have recovered from the disease. The US has suffered by far the largest number of both COVID-19 deaths and infections.
More than 397,000 killed by coronavirus worldwide: Report
The pandemic has killed at least 397,179 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1900 GMT on Saturday, based on official sources.
The United States is the worst-hit country with 109,497 deaths, followed by Britain with 40,465, Brazil with 35,026, Italy with 33,846, and France with 29,111 fatalities.
Brazil President threatens WHO exit
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro threatens to follow in the footsteps of US President Donald Trump and pull out of the World Health Organization.
"I'm telling you right now, the United States left the WHO, and we're studying that, in the future. Either the WHO works without ideological bias, or we leave, too," he told journalists outside the presidential palace.
Shopping malls, places of worship to remain shut in Gurgaon: Haryana minister
Shopping malls and places of worship will not reopen for the public in Gurgaon and Faridabad districts, which have been worst-hit by COVID-19 in Haryana, state Home Minister Anil Vij said on Saturday.
However, malls and religious place would open in other parts of Haryana from June 8, he said.
The Centre had on May 30 said that ''Unlock-1'' will be initiated in the country from June 8 under which the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown will be relaxed to a great extent.