Coronavirus News Updates: Mumbai reports 696 new cases, 13 deaths in a day; doubling rate improves to 720 days

Coronavirus LATEST News Updates

Mumbai’s doubling rate of COVID-19 improves to 720 days: BMC

With 33,136 COVID-19 tests conducted in the city in the past 24 hours, the cumulative number has increased to 67,86,802, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said. The average growth rate of cases between 12 and 18 June was 0.09 percent. The doubling rate of cases has improved to 720 days, as per the data.

According to the BMC, Mumbai has 18 active containment zones in slums and chawls (old row tenements), while the number of sealed buildings across the city is 82.

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Mumbai adds 696 new cases, 13 fatalities

Mumbai Saturday registered 696 new cases of coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours, taking the city’s caseload to 7,20,637, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. With 13 more fatalities being reported in the same period, the toll in the city reached 15,279, it said.

As many as 790 people were discharged from hospitals, taking the total of recoveries to 6,88,340. There are 14,751 active cases in the city, the civic body said.

With 33,136 tests conducted during the day, the COVID-19 positivity rate stands at 2.1 percent.

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Third COVID-19 wave inveitable, says AIIMS chief

Albeit India’s COVID-19 caseload has witnessed a declining trend following a disastrous ‘second wave’ between April and mid-June, with states unlocking activities after weeks of strict lockdown curbs, a possible third wave of infections has entered the scientific and public discourse.

The “inevitable” third COVID-19 wave could hit the country in the next six to eight weeks, said Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Director (AIIMS), to NDTV on Saturday.

“As we have started unlocking, there is again a lack of COVID-appropriate behaviour. We don’t seem to have learnt from what happened between the first and the second wave. Again crowds are building up, people are gathering. It will take some time for the number of cases to start rising at the national level. The ’third wave’ is inevitable and it could hit the country within the next six to eight weeks,” the report quoted him as saying.

Guleria’s remarks have come amidst a debate within the public as well as scientific space on the possible third wave, and how it may impact India. Several state governments have already started preparing for the possible next wave of COVID-19 infections, and are regularly warning the public to follow COVID-19 precautions and the authorities to implement them.

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Delhi records seven fatalities in a day, lowest daily COVID-19 death count since 1 April

The National Capital recorded seven deaths due to COVID-19, the lowest since 1 Apriland 135 new cases of coronavirus infection on Saturday, as the positivity rate dipped to 0.18 percent, according to data shared by the health department.

These new fatalities have pushed the toll in the city to 24,907. This is also the first time the daily fatality count has slipped into single-digit since 1 April when the city had recorded nine deaths and 2,790 cases, the data stated.

The National Capital had on 3 April recorded 10 deaths due to COVID-19.

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Punjab state board cancels Class 12 exams, to follow CBSE’s formula to evaluate results

The Punjab government on Saturday cancelled Class 12 exams because of the COVID-19 pandemic. State Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) will declare the results as per the pattern of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Singla said 3,08,000 students enrolled in Class 12 in government, aided and private schools under the PSEB in the 2020-21 academic session. He said it was not possible for the education board to conduct the examinations due to the challenges posed by coronavirus.

The PSEB will prepare the result according to a 30:30:40 formula based on the student’s performance in Classes 10, 11 and 12, respectively.

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Kerala adds 12,443 new cases, 115 deaths

Kerala logged 12,443 fresh coronavirus infections on Saturday, taking the overall count over 27.97 lakh while 115 fatalities pushed the toll to 11,948.

Recoveries continued to outnumber fresh cases with 13,145 people being cured of the disease, taking the total number of those who have recuperated to 26,78,499. Active cases touched 1,06,861.

Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of cases at 1,777, followed by Ernakulam with 1,557 and Thrissur 1,422, the state government said in a press release.

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Karnataka eases lockdown curbs in 16 districts with less than 5% positivity rate

All shops and hotels, clubs, restaurants allowed to operate till 5 pm, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa said on Saturday adding that lodges, resorts, gyms, private offices will also be allowed to operate with 50 percent capacity in 16 districts that have less than 5 percent COVID-19 positivity.

The announcement was due to come on Saturday as the current restrictions are coming to an end on Saturday.

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Karnataka announces 2nd phase of unlock, allows buses and metro with 50% capacity 

Karnataka government to ease lockdown restrictions from Monday as part of the second phase of unlock process. Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa announced that shops will be opened from 5 am to 5 pm in certain districts on the basis of positivity rate.

Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Mandya, Koppal, Chikkballapur, Tumkur, Kolar, Bengaluru Urban, Gadag, Raichur, Bagalkote, Kalburgi, Haveri, Ramanagara, Yadgir and Bidar will see relaxations, News18 reported.

The state government announced further exemptions from 21 June with the provision of 50 percent allowance for government buses and metros.

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Centre directs states to register FIRs against those attacking doctors

The Centre on Saturday asked state governments to register cases and invoke the stringent Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 against those who indulge in assault on doctors and healthcare professionals.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla’s letter to States and Union Territories came following several incidents of attack on doctors and healthcare professionals in different parts of the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You will agree that any incident of threat or assault on doctors or healthcare professionals may dampen their morale and create a sense of insecurity amongst them. This may adversely affect the healthcare response system,” Bhalla wrote.

The home secretary said in the present circumstances, it has become imperative that strict action be taken against those who assault healthcare professionals.

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Education Ministry releases guidelines for facilitating children’s home-based learning

 The Union Education Ministry on Saturday released guidelines for parents and caregivers on how to provide support to children and facilitate their home-based learning at a time when schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines emphasised the need for parents to create a safe, engaging and positive learning environment for children, have realistic expectations from them, take care of their health and ensure a healthy diet, and also have fun, a statement from the ministry said.

In a tweet, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said the ‘Guidelines for parent participation in home-based learning during school closure and beyond’ have been drafted “for parents and caregivers to provide information on the ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how-to’ of participation in supporting children during school closure, irrespective of literacy levels”.

PTI

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New deaths in AP fall below 50 after over 2 months

 For the first time in more than  two months, the number of daily COVID-19 fatalities in Andhra Pradesh fell below 50 as 45 people succumbed in 24 hours ending 9 am on Saturday. The state registered 5,674 fresh cases from 1.03 lakh tests in 24 hours, at the rate of 5.5 percent, a drastic drop from the high of 25 percent a month ago. Also, 8,014 recoveries were reported in a day, according to the latest health department bulletin. The number of active cases has reduced to 65,244.

PTI

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Delhi records 135 new cases, 7 deaths; positvity rate dips to 0.18%

Delhi reports 135 new COVID-19 cases, 201 patient recoveries, and seven deaths in 24 hours. Positivity rate dips to 0.18%. Total cases climb to 1432168, toll reaches 24,907 and total recoveries number 14,04,889. There art 2372 active cases in the National capital.

Delhi reports 135 new COVID cases (positivity rate - 0.18%), 201 patient recoveries, and 7 deaths in the past 24 hours

Active cases: 2,372
Total recoveries: 14,04,889
Death toll: 24,907 pic.twitter.com/VDw1W9Pvgp

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2021

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Mumbai vaccination fraud: Fifth accused detained in MP

The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Satna of Madhya Pradesh has apprehended one of the accused involved in allegedly duping a housing society in Mumbai by organising a COVID-19 vaccination camp fraudulently in the name of a private hospital, an official said on Saturday. The Mumbai police have already arrested four accused in connection with the fraud that took place at Hiranandani Heritage Society in Kandivali area of the city.

Based on inputs, Mohammed Kareem (19), a student of nursing, was detained when he was travelling in a Patna-bound train two days ago, sub-inspector Govind Prasad Tripathi of Satna GRP said.We nabbed Kareem from LTT-Patna train. The accused, who hails from Katihar district of Bihar, was handed over to the Kandivali police on Friday," the official said. 

PTI

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Tripura cancels Class 10, 12  board exams

Tripura government has cancelled the Class 10th & Class 12th exams of Tripura Board of Secondary Education. However, if any student is not satisfied with the results, they can appear in the exam when the situation is conducive: State Education Minister Ratanlal Nath pic.twitter.com/02zh4khE8B

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2021

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MP govt to set up COVID-19 pandemic research institute

 The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to set up a state-level research institute for the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases here,  state medical education minister Vishvas Sarang said on Saturday. He said the proposal was approved by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday.  A state-level public health institute will come up in Bhopal for the research of the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases including contagious diseases, Sarang told reporters. 

 He said various degree and diploma courses will also be run by this institute and experts of various fields will be posted there.

PTI

Jharkhand on high alert as mucormycosis cases rise

With a rise in mucormycosis or  black fungus cases in Jharkhand, the state government has directed the health machinery to be on high alert and extend all possible care to the affected people, an official said on Saturday. A total of 79 confirmed and 53 suspected cases have been reported to date in 18 of the 24 districts, he said. “The state has thus far registered 26 deaths due to mucormycosis, while 50 people have recovered from it,” Ravi Shankar Shukla, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) Jharkhand, told PTI.

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection leading to prolonged morbidity and even mortality among COVID-19 patients.

PTI

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Third wave in 6-8 weeks if Covid-appropriate behaviour not followed, warns AIIMS chief

If Covid-appropriate behaviour is not followed and crowding not prevented, the next wave of the viral infection can strike the country in the next six to eight weeks, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria warned on Saturday. Until a sizeable number of the population are vaccinated, Covid-appropriate behaviour needs to be followed aggressively, he said and stressed on the need for stricter surveillance and area-specific lockdowns in case of a significant surge.

Guleria reiterated that till now, there is no evidence to suggest that children will be affected more in the next wave of the infection.

PTI

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Take warning of  third wave seriously, Maharashtra Dy CM tells people

 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday asked people not to lower their guard against COVID-19 in view of the possible third wave of the pandemic, and warned them against visiting tourist attractions in the present scenario just because restrictions have been eased. He said people need to take the warning about the third wave seriously. 

Pawar was talking to reporters here after holding a meeting with officials to review the coronavirus situation in Pune district.  He also said that if people continue to go out of the district for tourism purposes, the administration will have no other option but to impose a 15-day quarantine regime on such people after their return home. Pune city is under level-II of the state government’s unlock plan. The coronavirus numbers are coming down, but as a preemptive measure, it has been decided that all the shops under the non-essential category, malls, hotels, and restaurants will remain closed on weekends, Pawar said.“This system will continue for the next Saturday and Sunday. After that, if the situation improves further, a decision regarding (lifting) the weekend restrictions will be taken after a review,” he said.

PTI

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All govt staff will be vaccinated by month-end, says Puducherry L-G

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan on Saturday said all government staff and workers would be vaccinated by the end of this month.  The territorial government has issued circulars in this regard.

On the fear over the third wave of COVID-19, she said the territorial government is battle-ready, and the infrastructure in hospitals is ramped up. 

PTI

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Nashik included under level-2 of ‘unlock’; malls to reopen from 21 June

With Nashik district in Maharashtra falling under the level-2 category of the five-level ‘unlock’ plan of the Maharashtra government, the local administration has decided to allow the reopening of malls with a 50 per cent capacity on weekdays from June 21, district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on Saturday. 

However, the administration has decided to continue with the level-3 restrictions considering the previous experience of crowding and various other factors. The malls will be allowed to operate from 7 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday.

“RT-PCR test and anti-COVID 19 vaccination is made mandatory for all the employees of these malls as soon as possible. Use of a face mask, sanitiser, maintaining a social distance and thermal scanning is also a must for employees and customers,” district collector Suraj Mandhare said in an order.

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All educational institutes to open in Telangana from 1 July

The Telangana government’s official statement said, “The Cabinet has decided to lift the lockdown, which was in force till 19 June, from tomorrow (20 June). The Cabinet also directed the Department of Education to start all types of educational institutions from 1 July with full readiness.

The education department has been directed to reopen all categories of educational institutions from 1 July with students allowed to attend classes physically. In view of the decision to reopen educational

institutions, the cabinet has asked the education department to prepare guidelines on different issues, including students’ attendance and online classes and release it at the earliest.

“No night curfew, officials have been instructed to lift all restrictions that were in place till date,” the CMO’s statement added.

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‘COVID-19 is under complete control in state’, claims Telangana govt

The Telangana Chief Minister’s Office on Saturday tweeted about the government’s decision to completely lift the lockdown restrictions in the state.

“The state cabinet has decided to lift the lockdown completely. The number of corona cases in the state, the percentage of positivity has dropped significantly and the corona has come under complete control, the decision was taken after reviewing the reports provided by the medical authorities to lift the lock down to this extent.

“The Cabinet also directed the officials of all the departments to completely lift all the regulations imposed during the lockdown,” it said.

లాక్ డౌన్ సందర్భంగా విధించిన అన్ని రకాల నిబంధనలను పూర్తిస్థాయిలో ఎత్తివేయాలని అన్ని శాఖల అధికారులను కేబినెట్ ఆదేశించింది.

— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) June 19, 2021

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Telangana has lifts lockdown completely, say reports

The Telangana Cabinet on Saturday announced a complete rollback of lockdown restrictions in the state, reports said.

The present phase of lockdown came to an end on Saturday and the Cabinet meeting was expected to take a decision on the issue against the backdrop of a decline in COVID-19 cases. Relaxation in lockdown rules was given from 6 am to 5 pm with a grace period of one hour (up to 6 PM) for people to reach home.

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Uganda tightening measures due to COVID-19 surge

Uganda is tightening its lockdown measures to try and stem a surge in coronavirus infections in the East African country that is seeing an array of variants. The measures announced late Friday by President Yoweri Museveni include a ban on private and public transportation within and across districts, including in the capital Kampala. Only vehicles carrying cargo and those transporting the sick or essential workers are permitted to operate on the roads.

The normally crowded shops in downtown Kampala have also been ordered shut. An ongoing nighttime curfew will stay in place. The new measures will last 42 days.

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Fully-vaccinated govt, private employees can resume normal office hours from 1 July

“From 1 July, government and private offices that have  all their employees fully vaccinated can operate according to normal office hours,” Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.

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Jharkhand reports 141 new COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

Jharkhand’s COVID-19 tally rose to 3,44,270 on Saturday as 141 more people tested positive for the infection, while two fresh fatalities pushed the state’s coronavirus death toll to 5,097, a health bulletin said.

Ranchi registered the highest number of new cases at 19, followed by East Singhbum and Gumla (18 each) and Hazaribag (14). The fresh fatalities were reported in Ranchi and East Singhbum districts.

The state now has 1,811 active cases, while 3,37,362 people have recovered from the disease so far, including 274 in the last 24 hours, it said.

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Daily new COVID-19 cases under one lakh for 12th straight day

With 60,753 new COVID-19 cases reported in India on Saturday, the Union Health Ministry noted that the single-day tally of new cases has been under one lakh cases for the 12th straight day.

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Implementing new software able to identify severity of COVID-19 infections in patients, says Centre

The Centre on Saturday gave information about a software called ‘Covid Severity Score (CSS)’, which can reportedly identify patients who are “likely to require ventilator support in an ICU and referral in time”, NDTV reported.

“The software consists of an algorithm that measures a set of parameters and scores against a pre-set dynamic algorithm multiple times for each patient and allocates a Covid Severity Score (CSS) mapping in a graphical trend,” the report added.

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Centre asks states to ensure no crowding in markets

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said while the opening up of activities, after decline in cases is essential, states and UTs must ensure that the whole process is “carefully calibrated”. “While opening up, it would be extremely important to follow the five-fold strategy of Covid appropriate behaviour, test-track-treat and vaccination,” he said. 

The home secretary said regular monitoring of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is required to prevent relapse. To reiterate, Covid appropriate behaviour includes mandatory use of masks, hand hygiene, social distancing and also proper ventilation of closed spaces, he said.

“However, easing of restrictions in some states, have led to resumption of crowding of people in markets etc., without adherence to the norms of Covid appropriate behaviour,” he said.

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52 lakh COVID-19 doses will be sent to states soon: Centre

The Centre on Saturday said that over 2.87 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are available with states and UTs currently.

“Furthermore, more than 52,26,460 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the States/UTs within the next 3 days,” it added.

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Milkha Singh’s achievements will continue to inspire future generations: J&K LG

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Saturday condoled the demise of legendary athlete Milkha Singh and said his achievements will continue to inspire future generations. The LG also expressed his deepest condolences to the sprint legend’s family, his well-wishers and his innumerable fans across the world.

“Saddened to hear about the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, The Flying Sikh. A legendary sprinter who carved a niche for himself with his athletic prowess. A symbol of our nation’s glory, his achievements will continue to inspire the future generations,” Sinha said on Twitter.

The 91-year-old died at a hospital in Chandigarh on Friday after a month-long battle with COVID-19, during which he lost his wife and former national volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur to the same ailment.

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Vaccination is critical to break COVID-19 transmission, says MHA

The easing of COVID-related lockdown norms has led to crowding in some markets and other places, the Centre said on Saturday, as it urged states to ensure the “extremely important” five-fold strategy of Covid-appropriate behaviour, test-track-treat and vaccination to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a communication to all states and Union Territories (UTs), Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said that vaccination against COVID-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission.

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Assam aims to inoculate 3 lakh people daily

The Assam government has set a target of administering COVID-19 vaccination to three lakh people daily from Monday for the next 10 days, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. Addressing a press meet, Sarma said there will be no government work over the next one week and the entire machinery will be involved in the inoculation exercise.

This is a part of our Enhanced Immunisation Drive. From 21 June, we shall be targeting three lakh vaccinations daily till 30 June," he said after reviewing preparations with all stakeholders.

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States must ensure unlocking process is ‘carefully calibrated’: MHA

In a letter to state governments and Union Territory administrations on Saturday, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla instructed that they must ensure lockdown opening up process is “carefully calibrated”.

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Centre says 27,23,88,783 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far

The Union health ministry on Saturday said that 27,23,88,783 vaccine COVID-19 doses have been administered across the country so far.

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Centre tells states to continue ’test, track, treat’ strategy

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Saturday wrote to all state chief secretaries and UT administrators to continue the ‘test-track-treat’ strategy to combat COVID-19.

He also told the state governments to ensure that testing rate does not reduce. This must work in tandem with a widespread vaccination drive, he said.

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Number of people allowed to attend marriage, funeral restricted in Maha’s Latur

Even as the number of coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra’s Latur is on the decline, the district administration has restricted the number of people allowed to attend a marriage to 50, while only 25 people can remain present at a funeral, an official said on Saturday. 

The district collector imposed these restrictions by issuing an order to this effect on Friday evening, he said. As per the fresh notification, Latur falls under level-I of the state government’s five-level “unlock” plan.

Considering the prevailing coronavirus situation, relaxation in restrictions have been given in Latur. But, the administration has decided to impose certain curbs.

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West Bengal reports 2,788 new COVID-19 cases, 58 fresh deaths

West Bengal’s COVID-19 tally rose to 14,77,037 on Friday as 2,788 more people tested positive for the infection, while 58 fresh fatalities pushed the state’s coronavirus death toll to 17,240, a health bulletin said.

North 24 Parganas district registered the highest number of fresh cases at 388 followed by Kolkata (287), Purba Medinipur (265) and Darjeeling (240). North 24 Parganas also recorded the highest number of fresh fatalities at 15, followed by Kolkata (11) and Nadia and Jalpaiguri (six each).

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Delta variant on its way to becoming dominant variant globally: Top WHO official

The COVID-19 Delta variant, which was first identified in India, is becoming the dominant variant globally because of its significantly increased transmissibility, WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Friday.

According to the COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update issued by the WHO on June 15, the Delta variant is now being reported in about 80 countries around the world. Another 12 countries and areas are reporting the detection of B.1.617 without further specification of lineage at this time. The B.1.617.2 Delta variant was first detected in India around October 2020.

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Tally of active COVID-19 cases lowest in 74 days: Centre

The Union Health Ministry said that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the country is the lowest after 74 days on Saturday.

The total number of active cases is currently 7,60,019.

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Thane records 417 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths

The coronavirus case count in Thane district of Maharashtra grew by 417 to reach 5,27,400, an official said on Saturday. These cases were reported on Friday, he said.

With the virus claiming 13 lives during the day, the death toll in the district rose to 10,462. Thane’s COVID-19 mortality rate now stands at 1.98 per cent, he added.

In neighbouring Palghar district, the infection tally has reached 1,14,584, while the death toll is 2,464, another official said.

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India reports 60,753 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said that India reported 60,753  new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total caseload to 2,98,23,546 in the country.

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France delivers 10 oxygen generation plants to India

France on Friday delivered 10 oxygen generation plants to India to support the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. French ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said the plants can make 10 Indian hospitals self-reliant in the production of oxygen.

“France today delivered 10 #oxygen generator plants to make 10 Indian hospitals oxygen #aatmanirbhar. With the peak now thankfully over, France and India are continuing to work together to build up resilience and long-term autonomy,” he tweeted.

France today delivered 10 #oxygen generator plants to make 10 Indian hospitals oxygen #aatmanirbhar.
With the peak now thankfully over, France and India are continuing to work together to build up resilience and long-term autonomy.

This is what strategic partners do 🇫🇷🤝🇮🇳. pic.twitter.com/fkVp6KV57V

— French Embassy in India 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) June 18, 2021

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ICMR says 19 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted yesterday

The Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) on Saturday said that a total of 38,92,07,637 samples have been tested for coronavirus across the country up to 18 June. Of these, 19,02,009 samples were tested yesterday on Friday.

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India hopes to resume vaccine exports: VK Paul 

India, the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines, wants to resume exports of coronavirus doses but can’t do so until its domestic needs are met, the head of the country’s COVID-19 task force said Friday.

Once our immediate need of vaccinating a significant proportion of Indian people is achieved and vaccine stockpiles are visible from multiple sources, we would then like to play the role of serving others and providing vaccines to them, Dr. Vinod K. Paul said in an interview with The Associated Press. Paul defended the Indian government’s move to restrict vaccine exports in April as it battled a ferocious surge in infections.

He noted that India had given away a substantial amount of vaccines at the start of the year as it launched its own immunization drive. So that has to be respected and has to be recognized, as not many nations have done that, he said.