The Supreme Court has called the Union government’s paid vaccination policy for citizens 18-44 years of age as “ prima facie arbitrary and irrational”.
The court said the Centre’s “Liberalised Vaccination Policy”, which covered the 18-44 age group, expected them to pay through their noses for their jab.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here . A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Karnataka extends COVID-19 lockdown till June 14
The Karnataka government on Thursday extended the lockdown for one more week, till 6 a.m. of June 14.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa announced that though the number of COVID-19 cases were declining, the pandemic was spreading to rural areas. The lockdown would be lifted after June 14 if the cases fall below 5%.
Serum Institute seeks test licence from DCGI to manufacture Covid vaccine Sputnik V
The Serum Institute of India (SII) has applied to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking permission for a test licence to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in the country, sources said on Thursday.
The Pune-based firm has also sought a test license for analysis and examination.
Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is currently being manufactured in India by Dr Reddy's Laboratories.
"The Serum Institute of India (SII) put up an application to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Wednesday seeking permission for a test licence to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, in India," a source said. - PTI
After successful run of 'Vaccine Express' in rural areas, Bihar launches it for cities
After successful launch of "Vaccine Express" in the rural areas, the Bihar government on Thursday rolled out similar vaccination vans for the urban areas with an aim to inoculate maximum number of people at their doorsteps.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar flagged off 'Vaccine Express' in the presence of Deputy Chief ministers-Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi- and Health minister Mangal Pandey in Patna at a function. - PTI
Govt issues guidelines for care of children affected by COVID-19
The government has come out with guidelines for the care and protection of the children affected by COVID-19 and fixed responsibilities for the states, district magistrates, police, Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.
In a letter to the chief secretaries of all the states and Union territories, Women and Child Development Ministry Secretary Ram Mohan Mishra on Wednesday said in order to streamline and facilitate the actions being taken, the major responsibilities of the primary duty holders have been enlisted to ensure the best interest of children during the pandemic.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, said 9,346 children have lost at least one of the parents to the deadly virus, including over 1,700 who have lost both their parents, according to data received from the states. - PTI
HC issues summons to Ramdev on DMA plea over false info about Coronil kit
The Delhi High Court Thursday issued summons to yoga guru Ramdev on a suit by Delhi Medical Association (DMA) seeking to restrain him from disseminating false information about Patanjali's Coronil kit that it is a cure for COVID-19.
The high court orally asked the counsel for Ramdev to tell him not to make any provocative statement till the next date of hearing on July 13 and respond to the suit. - PTI
Government should make public COVID-19 vaccine data: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday demanded that the Centre should share COVID-19 vaccine data, saying many nations have shown that sharing the data saves lives.
He raised the demand in a tweet and also tagged a UK newspaper report titled "How Modi's fraught relationship with pandemic data has harmed India" to attack the prime minister.
In a separate tweet, Mr. Yadav also demanded that the Uttar Pradesh government make public the data of free treatment provided to coronavirus patients and also sought free treatment for those suffering from black fungus. - PTI
India records over 1.34 lakh fresh cases, 2,887 more fatalities
With 1,34,154 fresh cases, India's COVID-19 tally has climbed to 2,84,41,986, while the daily positivity rate has further dropped to 6.21%, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The death toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 3,37,989 with 2,887 more people succumbing to it, while the number of active COVID-19 cases was recorded below 20 lakh for the third consecutive day, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 a.m.
Also, 21,59,873 tests were conducted on Wednesday to detect COVID-19, taking the total number of such tests conducted so far in the country to 35,37,82,648, while the daily positivity was recorded at 6.21%. It has been less than 10% for 10 consecutive days now, the ministry said.
The weekly positivity rate has declined to 7.66%. - PTI
Bodies of COVID-19 victims left on the floor in Theni mortuary
Displaying a lack of accountability and scant regard for those who died of COVID-19 complications, the staff at the Government Medical College and Hospital here allegedly allowed some members of the public to enter the mortuary and take away a body for cremation.
After watching a video that was doing the rounds on social media, senior health and revenue officials ordered a probe on Wednesday.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that Baladhandapani, 47, of Nallakaruppanpatti, near Periakulam, went to the Periakulam Government Hospital after developing symptoms of COVID-19. The doctors there referred him to the Theni Government Medical College and Hospital for admission.
Rajasthan cancels classes 10, 12 board exams
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday night decided to cancel classes 10 and 12 examinations conducted by the State board this year in view of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official statement.
The decision, taken in an online meeting of the State Council of Ministers, came a day after the central government announced cancelling the CBSE Class 12 board exams.
Medical experts have warned that children may be more prone to infection in a possible third wave of COVID-19. In such a situation, it has been decided to cancel the examinations of classes 10 and 12 conducted by the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, the statement said. - PTI
PhD admissions at Jamia Millia Islamia delayed by year due to COVID-19
The PhD admissions at the Jamia Millia Islamia have been delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
On Tuesday, the varsity released the notification for PHD entrance exams for the year 2020-21 instead of the current academic year 2021-22. The admission test will be held for different disciplines between June 22 and June 28 in two shifts while the results will be declared in the second week of July.
The reason for the delay is the pandemic situation, said Dr Nazim Hussain Jafri, Controller of Examinations at the varsity. -PTI
