23:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
Amid virus lockdown, radio lessons return in Latin America
At a small farmhouse outside Colombia’s capital city, Marlene Beltran picks up a ruler and crayons. She turns on the radio, sits down at a creaky wooden table and helps her 5-year-old brother with a lesson on how to make paper cubes and decorate them with drawings that tell a story.
The Beltrans work on dairy farms and have no internet connection at home. So an hour-long radio lesson developed by the municipal government keeps the children busy — to a degree — while schools are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Broadcasting was once used widely in Latin America to teach basic math and literacy skills to those in rural areas. Now radio and TV lessons are making a comeback during the virus lockdown, especially with the region’s spotty internet connectivity.
“We don’t want children to lose their studying habits,” said Diana Lopez, a teacher in the Colombian town of Funza who helps produce a daily radio show for elementary school students. Her county on the edge of Bogota has 10,000 public school pupils, of which about a third have no computers or internet at home.
(AP)
23:50 (IST)
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh Latest Updates
84 new COVID-19 cases reported in Indore
The Indore administration said that 84 new coronavirus cases were reported in the district on Thursday. Total number of cases in the district is now at 3,344, including 126 deaths.
23:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
US welcomes Indian, Pakistani companies to produce anti-COVID-19 treatment
"Welcome news that Indian and Pakistani life sciences companies will join forces via voluntary licenses with a U.S. pharmaceutical firm to produce anti-viral treatment for use in 127 countries to fight the threat of COVID-19," the statement said.
Welcome news that Indian and Pakistani life sciences companies will join forces via voluntary licenses with a U.S. pharmaceutical firm to produce anti-viral treatment for use in 127 countries to fight the threat of COVID-19.
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) May 28, 2020
23:38 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Mumbai Police head constable succumbs to COVID-19
A head constable with the Mumbai Police, Jagdish Pandurang Pote from Malvani Police Station succumbed to the coronavirus infection on Thursday, India Today reported.
23:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Pune reports 369 new COVID-19 cases
The Pune health department said that 369 new coronavirus cases and 10 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours in district. Total toll rises to 310 while the total positive cases in the district are 7,012.
23:26 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tripura Latest Updates
Two people test COVID-19 positive in Tripura
Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb said that two people tested positive for coronavirus in the state on Thursday. The state's total COVID-19 tally rose to 244. Of these, 74 are active cases
Deb said, "1050 samples have been tested today for COVID-19, out of which 2 people detected positive. Both of them have returned from Maharashtra. Positive Cases: 244. Active Cases: 74. Discharged: 167. Migrated: 03."
23:14 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
US layoffs climb to 41 million, despite business reopenings
An estimated 2.1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week despite the gradual reopening of businesses around the country, bringing the running total since the coronavirus shutdowns took hold in mid-March to about 41 million, the government said Thursday.
In a glimmer of hope, the overall number of people currently drawing jobless benefits in the U.S. fell for the first time since the crisis began, from 25 million to 21 million, suggesting some companies are starting to rehire.
Still, the Labor Department report underscored the continuing economic damage from the viral outbreak that on Wednesday hit a confirmed death toll in the U.S. of 100,000, more than the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam and Korean wars combined.
(AP)
23:00 (IST)
Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates
Himachal govt says 90% of pharma industry start production of HCQ
"Ninety percent of HP pharma industries have started production, catering to the health care needs of not only domestic consumers but also supplying hydroxychloroquine, manufactured at Solan's Baddi, to the United States, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said," News18 reported.
22:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in France Latest Updates
France to open bar, resturants from 2 June
The France prime minister said that bars, restaurants, cafes to reopen with restrictions from 2 June, AFP reported.
22:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Locals in Nagpur red zone hold protest over closed roads
Locals in Nagpur's Mominpura COVID-19 red zone held a protest on Thursday demanding re-opening of roads in the area, today; social distancing norms flouted
22:23 (IST)
Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh Latest Updates
29 new COVID-19 cases reported in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh reports 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Total positive cases stand at 398 including 315 active cases: State Health Department
22:08 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Amit Shah speaks to CMs over lockdown
CNN-News18 reported that Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to chief ministers about the coronavirus lockdown and "heard about their views about restrictions and sectors they want to open up."
22:00 (IST)
Coronavirus in Telangana Latest Updates
Telangana reports 66 new COVID-19 cases
Telangana reported 66 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of cases to 1,908. The toll is at 67, the state health department said.
21:49 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
1,438 people test positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai
The BMC said that 1,438 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 35,273. Total toll rises to 1,135 after 38 deaths were reported.
21:30 (IST)
Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Updates
Haryana govt seals border with Delhi
As Delhi recorded its highest daily-spike of 1,024 coronavirus cases, Haryana government stated that borders with the national capital will be sealed in view of the rising number of infections.
#WATCH "We will keep our border with Delhi completely sealed due to increasing COVID19 cases," Haryana Minister Anil Vij#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/aVZsMJkec2
— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2020
21:18 (IST)
Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates
Over 1,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Delhi over 24 hours
Reports said that 1,024 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 16,281 in the National Capital. The toll stands at 316.
21:15 (IST)
Coronavirus in Rajasthan Latest Updates
Rajasthan reports 251 new COVID-19 cases
The Rajasthan health department said that 251 COVID-19 cases were reported till 8.30pm on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 8,067.
21:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in Goa Latest Updates
One person tests positive in Goa today
The Goa government said that one person has tested positive for coronavirus in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 69.
20:53 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka govt clarifies no ban on flights from 5 states
The Karnataka government on Thursday evening clarified that the government had not banned flights from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
"In a clarification issued to the Media this evening, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mr J C Madhuswamy has said that Karnataka has not sought for imposing a ban on flights emanating from these places, as reported in some sections of the Media.
Karnataka has appealed to the Civil Aviation Ministry to take steps to lessen the air traffic to the State, with the sacred intention that there may not be adequate quarantine facilities, if there is huge turn out at a short span of time, he added," reports said.
20:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir Latest Updates
Jammu and Kashmir reports 115 new COVID-19 cases
The Jammu and Kashmir government said that 115 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the union territory on Thursday, of which 14 are from the Jammu division and 101 from the Kashmir division. The total number of cases stand at 2,036 including 1150 active cases.
20:29 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
NHRC notices to Centre, Railways, Gujarat and Bihar govts over migrants crisis
The NHRC has send notices to the Union Home Secretary, the Railways and the governments of Gujarat and Bihar over hardships faced by migrants onboard trains due to delay in services and lack of food and water allegedly leading to sickness and death of some of them, officials said on Thursday.
In a statement, the National Human Rights Commission observed that the "state has failed to protect the lives of the poor labourers onboard the trains".
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that the trains which are ferrying migrant labourers are not only starting late but are taking many additional days to reach destination, it said.
"In one of the reports, it is alleged that many migrant labourers lost lives during their journey by train due to longer duration and no arrangements for drinking water and food etc," the statement said.
(PTI)
20:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
2,598 new COVID-19 cases reported in Maharashtra today
Reports said that 2,598 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra on Thursday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases almost to 60,000 in the state at 59,546.
The toll in the state also rose to 1,982 after 85 casualties were reported in the last 24 hours.
20:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha health bulletin today:
Total cases — 1,660
Recovered — 887
Toll — 07
Active cases — 766
19:55 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
MEA says targetting to bring back one lakh Indians in 2nd phase of repatriation
The MEA on Thursday said, "We are targeting to bring back 1,00,000 passengers from 60 countries by the end of Phase II of Vande Bharat Mission. Preparations for the third phase are well underway."
"As of today, 45,216 Indians have returned. These include 8,069 migrant workers, 7,656 students and 5,107 professionals. About 5000 Indians have returned through land border immigration checkpoints from Nepal and Bangladesh," the statement added.
19:45 (IST)
Coronavirus in Ladakh Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases in Ladakh stand at 54
The total number of coronavirus cases in Ladakh is 54, including 11 active cases and 43 cured, the Ladakh government was quoted as saying by India Today.
19:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Over 45,000 Indians brought back under Vande Bharat, says Centre
The MEA said that as of Thursday, 45,216 Indians have returned. These include 8,069 migrant workers, 7,656 students and 5,107 professionals. About 5000 Indians have returned through land border immigration checkpoints from Nepal and Bangladesh.
19:13 (IST)
Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Updates
West Bengal reports 344 new COVID-19 cases today
Reports said that West Bengal health officials reported 344 new coronavirus cases in the state on Thursday, which is the highest single-day spike in cases so far.
The total number of cases in the state rose to 4,536, which includes 2,573 active cases and 1,668 discharges.
19:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
36 new COVID-19 cases reported in Dharavi today
Reports said that 36 new cases of coornavirus were reported in Mumbai's Dharavi in the last 24 hours. The total number of cases rose to 1,675 on Thursday in the densely-populated area.
18:57 (IST)
Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha citizens to sing state song on May 30 in thanks to 'corona heroes'
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik asked people to sing state song 'Bande Utkal Janani' at 5.30 pm on 30 May to express gratitude to 'Corona Heroes'.
"In a video message today, the chief minister said Odisha has lowest Covid-19 fatality rate praised the state for setting an example for others amid the global pandemic," News18 reported.
18:48 (IST)
Coronavirus in Assam Latest Updates
25 new COVID-19 cases reported in Assam today
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 25 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 856. Active cases stand at 762.
18:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
Tamil Nadu reports 827 new COVID-19 cases today
Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabhaskar said that a total of 827 people tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, including people who travelled from other states. The states's total number of coronavirus cases rose to 19,372.
18:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Updates
19 new COVID-19 cases reported in Punjab
The Punjab government on Thursday said that 19 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the state, taking the total number of cases to 2,158. There are 172 active cases in the state so far.
18:27 (IST)
Coronavirus in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka suspends all travel from five states
Reports said that the Karnataka government had on Thursday suspended the arrivals of flights, trains and vehicles from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan "into the state to contain the spread of COVID-19," India Today reported.
18:18 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra govt issues new guidelines for flyers
The Maharashtra government issued new guidelines for passengers travelling by flight to Mumbai and other places. The move came after the Centre resumed domestic flight operations across the country.
NDTV reported that these include,
"- All passengers will be advised to download the Aarogya Setu app.
- They will have to declare that they are not coming from any containment zone and don't have any COVID-19 symptoms.
- They will also need to declare that they have not tested coronavirus positive in the last two months and are not under quarantine.
- Anyone travelling without meeting the required conditions will face action.
- Airlines and airports will ensure social distancing at all times and thermal screening.
- All passengers, crew and other staff will have to wear masks and follow sanitation rules.
- All passengers will be stamped on their left hand and be under home isolation for 14 days.
- Local officials will be authorised to give exemptions to isolation rule for important work.
- Passengers who are coming to the state for less than one week will be exempt from home isolation.
- Passengers will not be allowed into containment zones of hotspot areas.
- Authorities need to be informed of where a passenger is staying if other than their homes.
- Passengers are permitted to travel in their personal vehicles to the airport as long as they don't travel from a containment zone"
18:11 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
IndiGo says some asymptomatic passengers have tested positive
"Few asymptomatic passengers who travelled on IndiGo flights were tested positive for COVID-19 on 2 May. Of these, 3 passengers were onboard from Delhi to Jammu on 26 May, six passengers onboard from Bengaluru to Coimbatore on 27 May 27 and 2 passengers onboard from Delhi to Coimbatore on 27 May 27," IndiGo said in a statement on Thursday.
18:01 (IST)
Coronavirus in South Korea Latest Updates
South Korea reports highest jump in COVID-19 cases in 50 days
South Korea on Thursday reported its biggest jump in coronavirus cases in more than 50 days a setback that could erase some of its hardwon gains Health officials warned that the resurgence is getting harder to track and social distancing and other steps need to be taken.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 67 of the 79 new cases reported were from the Seoul metropolitan area where about half of South Koreas 51 million people live.
Health Minister Park Neunghoo called for residents in the metropolitan area to avoid unnecessary gatherings and urged companies to keep sick employees off work.
At least 69 infections so far have been linked to workers at a massive warehouse operated by local ecommerce giant Coupang Hundreds of other infections have been linked to nightclubs and other entertainment venues which saw huge crowds in early May after officials relaxed social distancing guidelines.
(AP)
17:54 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Two TMC corporators test positive for COVID-19
"Two corporators from the Thane Municipal Corporation were among 393 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra's Thane district on Thursday," News18 reported.
17:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Union cabinet secy holds meeting with officials of COVID-19-hit cities
The Union cabinet secretary on Thursday reportedly held a meeting with municipal commissioners, district magistrates of 13 coronavirus-hit cities to review the situation.
"The measures taken by the officials and staff of the municipal corporations for management of Covid-19 cases were reviewed in the meeting," India Today reported.
17:39 (IST)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra Latest Updates
COVID-19 cases rise to 190 in Maharashtra's Amravati
The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 190 in the Amravati district of Maharashtra on Thursday, after five more people tested positive for the infection in the city since Wednesday night, News18 reported..
17:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Five flights to bring 900 Indians back from Dubai
Five flights operated were from Dubai to Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Hyderabad, and Trivandrum on Thursday, carrying more than 900 passengers back to India: the Consulate General of India, Dubai said.
Five flights operated from Dubai to Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Hyderabad, and Trivandrum today carrying more than 900 passengers back to India: Consulate General of India, Dubai #VandeBharatMission pic.twitter.com/2XiUhb3qHL
— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2020
17:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
One COVID-19 death reported in Kerala
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that one death due to coronavirus has been reported in the state. "The deceased who was a native of Telangana had mistakenly boarded a train for Kerala instead of Telangana," he added.
17:29 (IST)
Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates
Kerala reports 84 new COVID-19 cases today
Reports quoted Kerala health officials as saying that the state saw its highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases, after 84 new patients were recorded. "Of the new cases, 79 patients are people who have recently come back to the state," India Today reported.
17:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
6 who travelled to Salem from Chennai test positive
Six people who travelled to Salem from Chennai on Wednesday by air have been tested positive for COVID-19, said Deputy Director Health department, Salem, Tamil Nadu.
17:09 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
No changes in fundamental properties of COVID-19 so far, says Centre
Principal Scientific Advisor to the Centre, Prof K Vijay Raghavan said that researchers haven't seen any change in the fundamental properties of the virus so far.
"In the next few months both nationally and internationally tests will be available that can be done on an individual," he added.
17:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in Manipur Latest Updates
11 new COVID-19 cases reported in Manipur
In the last 24 hours, 11 new coronavirus cases have been reported in Manipur; taking the total number of confirmed cases to 55, the state government said.
16:56 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre says 34,336 passengers travelled on domestic flights yesterday
Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said "Domestic operation figures for 27 May 2020 (till 23.59 hrs) departures 460 with 34,336 passengers handled. Arrivals 464 with 33,525passengers handled. Making it a total of 924 flight movements with 67,861 passenger footfalls on Day 3."
16:46 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
RT-PCR test will find infection regardless of symptoms, says Centre
The RT-PCR test is testing for the presence of the virus and "is agnostic whether you have symptoms or not", said Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India Prof K. Vijay Raghavan.
"Whether you are asymptomatic, if you have virus it will be detected," he said.
He added, "AICTE and CSIR have embarked on a drug discovery hackathon- this is a high-end hackathon where students are trained with information on how to do computational drug discovery."
16:38 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre says 30 groups working to develop vaccines in India
K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor to the Centre, said that there are about a total of 30 groups in India — big industries to individual academics — who are trying to develop vaccines to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
16:28 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
NITI Aayog says fight against COVID-19 will be won through vaccines
VK Paul, member of the NITI Aayog on Thursday said that the fight against coronavirus "will be won through vaccine and drugs".
"Our country's science and technology institutions and pharma industry are very strong," he added.
16:18 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
After deaths on shramik special trains, SC dictates step-by-step orders to provide food to travelling migrants
The Supreme Courtdirected minute orders regarding the provision of food to migrant workers who are travelling back to their native states by trains or bus, after several deaths due to lack of food and water were reported on journeys in the last few days.
The apex court directed the originating state to provide food and water, after which the onus is on the Railways. After the journey, the receiving state "shall give transport, food and meals from stations to their villages. This is applicable for both camps on the way or buses," the SC said.
"All migrants who are stranded shall be provided food by the concerned state at places publicized and notified to them so that they can meet both ends. While they wait for turn to board train or bus, they can survive this way," the bench was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: Reports that Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to chief ministers about the coronavirus lockdown and "heard about their views about restrictions and sectors they want to open up."
As Delhi recorded its highest daily-spike of 1,024 coronavirus cases, Haryana government stated that borders with the national capital will be sealed in view of the rising number of infections.
Reports said that 1,024 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 16,281 in the National Capital. The toll stands at 316.
"Few asymptomatic passengers who travelled on IndiGo flights were tested positive for COVID-19 on 2 May. Of these, 3 passengers were onboard from Delhi to Jammu on 26 May, six passengers onboard from Bengaluru to Coimbatore on 27 May 27 and 2 passengers onboard from Delhi to Coimbatore on 27 May 27," IndiGo said in a statement on Thursday.
The RT-PCR test is testing for the presence of the virus and "is agnostic whether you have symptoms or not", said Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India Prof K. Vijay Raghavan.
"Whether you are asymptomatic, if you have virus it will be detected," he said.
He added, "AICTE and CSIR have embarked on a drug discovery hackathon- this is a high-end hackathon where students are trained with information on how to do computational drug discovery."
K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor to the Centre, said that there are about a total of 30 groups in India — big industries to individual academics — who are trying to develop vaccines to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The Supreme Courtdirected minute orders regarding the provision of food to migrant workers who are travelling back to their native states by trains or bus, after several deaths due to lack of food and water were reported on journeys in the last few days.
The apex court directed the originating state to provide food and water, after which the onus is on the Railways. After the journey, the receiving state "shall give transport, food and meals from stations to their villages. This is applicable for both camps on the way or buses," the SC said.
"All migrants who are stranded shall be provided food by the concerned state at places publicized and notified to them so that they can meet both ends. While they wait for turn to board train or bus, they can survive this way," the bench was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
The Supreme Court also said that if migrant workers are found on foot by any state authority, they should be "taken to shelters immediately and provided food and all facilities".
The Supreme Court directed state governments to add the details regarding migrant workers awaiting transportation in their replies before the apex court.
Live Law reported that the details demanded by the bench are:
"- number of migrants awaiting transportation to native places;
- plan for transportation;
- mechanism of registration;
- other [requisite] details."
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued interim orders regarding the migrant crisis across the country and said that no train or bus fare should be taken from migrant workers.
"- Migrant workers shall be provided food by the concerned state and UT at places. To be publicised and notified for the period they are waiting for their turn to board a train or a bus. During train journey, originating states will provide meal and water," Live Law quoted the court as saying.
SG Tushar Mehta said that migrant workers started leaving for their home states on foot because they were "locally instigated", in the SC hearing ont the migrant crisis on Thursday.
The Centre is doing a lot to contain the coronavirus outbreak, but there are “Prophets of Doom in our country who only spread negativity, negativity, negativity”, the Solicitor General tells the high court. “These armchair intellectuals do not recognise the nation’s efforts,” he adds.
Trade or consumption of liquor is not a fundamental right and the state has the authority to regulate its sale, the AAP government has told the Delhi High Court maintaining that its levying 70 percent special corona fees' on MRP of all alcohol brands is a price for grant of such privilege to the public.
In the last 24 hours, 131 police personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 and 2 deaths have been reported. The total number of positive cases in Maharashtra Police rise to 2095 with toll at 22. Total 897 personnel have recovered and 1178 cases are active, reports PTI.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) sealed its headquarter building in Central Delhi on Thursday after a senior employee tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of employees infected with the novel coronavirus to 7.
Some 122 million Indians were forced out of jobs last month alone, according to estimates from the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy, a private sector think tank. Daily wage workers and those employed by small businesses have taken the worst hit, reports Bloomberg Quint.
In the past 24 hours, 131 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Rajasthan, thereby taking the total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 7,947 on Thursday. The COVID-19 toll in the state stood at 179 after six more deaths were reported.
Assam registered a total 798 COVID-19 cases on Thursday after 15 more individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday, said health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Of the 15 new cases, 11 were reported in Kamrup Metro, three in Dibrugarh while one in Lakhimpur, said Sarma
India registered 6,566 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby taking the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 1,58,333, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The figure also includes 86,110 active cases.
After 194 more individuals succumbed to the viral infection in the past 24 hours, the toll reached 4,531 on Thursday.
Two SpiceJet passengers who travelled from Ahmedabad to Guwahati via Delhi on Monday have tested positive for COVID-19, the airline said on Wednesday.
"Two passengers who had travelled with SpiceJet from Ahmedabad to Guwahati on May 25 have tested positive for COVID-19. The passengers had travelled on SG-8194 (Ahmedabad-Delhi) and SG-8152 (Delhi-Guwahati)," an airline spokesperson said.
"COVID tests were conducted at Guwahati after landing and the passengers were quarantined. The test reports came on May 27. The operating crew has been quarantined and SpiceJet is coordinating with government agencies in notifying other passengers who had travelled with them," the airline said.
The toll due to COVID-19 rose to 4,337 while total number of cases climbed to 1,51,767 in the country, registering an increase of 170 deaths and 6,387 cases in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Wednesday.
This is the sixth day that the country has registered more than 6,000 new cases. However, the Union health ministry said that there have been "multiple gains" from the lockdown and the most important of them is that it has "decelerated the pace" of the spread of COVID-19.
Confirmed cases climb to 1,51,767
According to the morning update issued by the Union health ministry, the number of active coronavirus cases stands at 83,004 in the country, while 64,425 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, the health ministry said. "Thus, around 42.45 percent of patients (in India) have recovered so far," a senior health ministry official said.
Of the 170 deaths reported since Tuesday morning, 97 were in Maharashtra, 27 in Gujarat, 12 in Delhi, nine in Tamil Nadu, five each in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, three in Rajasthan and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Telangana and Uttarakhand.
Of the total 4,337 fatalities, Maharashtra accounts for the highest (1,792) deaths in the country, followed by Gujarat with 915 deaths, Madhya Pradesh with 305, Delhi with 288, West Bengal with 283, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh with 170 each, Tamil Nadu with 127 and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with 57 deaths each.
According to the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 54,758 followed by Tamil Nadu at 17,728, Gujarat at 14,821, Delhi at 14,465, Rajasthan at 7,536, Madhya Pradesh at 7,024 and Uttar Pradesh at 6,548.
"A total of 4,013 cases are being reassigned to states," the ministry said on its website, adding that its "figures are being reconciled with the ICMR".
Delhi records highest single-day spike
However, since the morning update given by the Union health ministry, many states have reported an increases in both cases and fatalities. Delhi recorded 792 fresh cases pushing the total past 15,000. The National Capital also recorded 15 deaths, taking the toll from the novel coronavirus to 303.
In Maharashtra, 105 more patients succumbed to the viral disease, taking the toll in the state to 1,897, whereas, the number of cases rose by 2,190 to 56,948, with Mumbai alone recording 1,044 new cases.
The state government, however, said that it is hoping to bring the numers under control by next week.
"The cases which are rising are in the same containment zones with high densities. There aren't new areas from where cases are coming up. And even in these containment areas, the numbers are slowly decreasing. We should be able to bring the numbers under control by next week," said Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil on Wednesday, according to News18.
Tamil Nadu also saw a sharp rise in cases as 817 more people tested positive, including 138 returnees from Maharashtra while six patients succumbed to the viral infection on Wednesday. The infection count in the state is now 18,545 while a total of 133 persons have died due to the disease.
The number of cases continued to rise in Kerala as well with the return of people from various states as well from abroad. The state which had been lauded for controlling the spread of the contagion reported 40 new cases on Wednesday, of which 37 were returnees, taking the overall tally 1,003. Presently, 445 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the state and over 1.7 lakh are under observation, PTI quotes Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan as saying.
Tripura also reported 23 new cases and officials said that the majority of the recent cases have been detected among people returning from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and other states.
In Madhya Pradesh, the Raj Bhavan, the residence of the state governor, was declared as a containment zone after six persons living on the campus tested positive for the viral infection.
Raj Bhavan sources told PTI that after the first case of COVID-19 was found at the Raj Bhavan a couple of days back, the sample of Governor Lalji Tadon was also collected for testing.
Meanwhile, officials in the hill state Uttarakhand said that the doubling rate of coronavirus cases has worsened and the number of infections has jumped nearly five times in this period due to the influx of people from outside the state.
New cases were reported from various other states and union territories as well, including Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.
Lockdown slowed spread of virus, insists health ministry
Meanwhile, the Union health ministry in a statement said the lockdown had contributed to the slowing of the spread of the virus in the country.
"Lockdown has garnered multiple gains, and primarily among them is that it has decelerated the pace of spread of the disease," the ministry said.
Estimates made by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed that a large number of deaths and cases have been averted, it said, adding that health infrastructure also had been strengthened.
"Health infrastructure required for COVID-19 management was ramped up during the lockdown. As on 27 May, 930 dedicated COVID hospitals with 1,58,747 isolation beds, 20,355 ICU beds and 69,076 oxygen supported beds are available," the statement said.
The Centre has also provided 113.58 lakh N-95 masks and 89.84 lakh Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the states, union territories and central Institutions, the ministry said, adding that the testing capacity has increased in the country through 435 government laboratories and 189 private laboratories (total of 624 labs).
Chhattisgarh announces austerity measures
However, the impacts of the lockdown on the economy, particularly on the revenues earned by states continued to be evident, with the Chhattisgarh deciding to undertake various austerity measures.
"The state government has taken several important decisions to cut its expenditures and ensure optimal utilisation of resources available for development-oriented works in the backdrop of fall in revenue collection due to the lockdown," a public relations official told PTI.
"As a part of the measures, creating new vacancies, transfer of government staff, holding meetings in expensive hotels, foreign tours and purchase of new vehicles have been prohibited," he said.
The Punjab government decided to ask the Centre for a fiscal stimulus of Rs 51,102 crores to help the state tide over the financial crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged lockdown that ensued.
A draft memorandum to this effect was approved by the Council of Ministers, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
Meanwhile, two days after domestic flight operations were restarted in the country after a gap of two months, national carrier Air India said that a passenger, who had travelled on an Alliance Air flight from Delhi to Ludhiana on 25 May, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, following which 41 people, including five crew members, have been quarantined.
At least seven migrants died onboard Shramik Special trains
The plight of migrants also continued to make it to the headlines, a day after the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and states on the issue.
According to PTI, at least seven deaths were reported onboard Shramik Special trains for migrant workers on Wednesday. The seven deaths — four on-board trains travelling to Bihar and three terminating in Uttar Pradesh — happened over the past few days, and were reported on Wednesday.
However, Railways officials said that most of the deceased had pre-existing health conditions.
Among the dead was 35-year-old Uresh Khatoon. Her toddler's vain attempt to awaken her from the eternal sleep on a platform in Bihar's Muzaffarpur was captured in a moving video that went viral on social media Wednesday, opening the floodgates of criticism for the Railways. The Railways attributed her death to a recent heart surgery, also corroborated by her son.
Another death reported from Muzaffarpur was that of a four-and-a-half-year-old son of a migrant from Bihar based in Delhi. The boy died at the railway station on arrival by a 'Shramik Special' train, while his father desperately hunted for some milk he believed would have saved his child.
While the father said that his son died of heat, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway, Ramakant Upadhyay, claimed the boy was ailing for some time and had died before the train reached Muzaffarpur station.
Two migrant workers were also found dead on a Shramik Special train at a Varanasi railway station on Wednesday morning.
Travelling migrant workers have complained of lack of food and water on-board these Shramik Special trains and also alleged they are not running on time and are being diverted "at will".
The Railways has, however, maintained that these trains are running on "pre-scheduled rationalised routes".
Some trains which should have taken 24 hours to reach to their destinations, arrived in over two days, according to reports, leaving the passengers on-board hungry and desperate.
Schools in West Bengal to remain shut till 30 June
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the state considers ferrying of a large number of migrant workers by trains as a big problem for public health, as she sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter. Those returning from the coronavirus hotspot states of Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will have to go for a 14-day institutional quarantine, Banerjee said.
The state government also announced that all schools will remain closed till 30 June.
In Mizoram, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said his government is contemplating extending the coronavirus-induced lockdown beyond 31 May in view of the influx of migrants from outside the state.
The Himachal Pradesh government has already authorised all district magistrates to extend the coronavirus lockdown beyond 31 May and three DMs have issued orders indicating that the curfew will continue in their areas for another month.
A nationwide lockdown has been in place since 25 March and the ongoing fourth phase of the lockdown is scheduled to remain in place till 31 May. While several relaxations have been given in the fourth phase for allowing various economic activities, educational institutions are among those that have not been allowed to open as yet.
With inputs from PTI
from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/3gxaWl3
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