Coronavirus India lockdown Day 69 live updates | June 1, 2020

Under ‘Unlock 1’, governments of States and union territories are free to regulate movement for public health reasons.

June 01, 2020 08:30 am | Updated June 03, 2020 08:45 am IST

A school teacher in Chennai Corporation school teaches tenth and twelfth standard students through online class in Chennai on Monday.

A school teacher in Chennai Corporation school teaches tenth and twelfth standard students through online class in Chennai on Monday.

'Unlock 1' comes into effect on Monday even as State governments came out with varied guidelines, including on allowing inter-State travel. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana extended the lockdown till June 30 with several relaxations.

India is now the seventh most-affected nation in the global COVID-19 tally, with over 1.9 lakh cases and 5,400 deaths.

Here is a list of State Helpline numbers . You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here .

Here are the latest updates:

10.45 p.m. | Nagaland

Nagaland to continue lockdown till further orders

The Nagaland government has decided to continue with the coronavirus lockdown till further orders, a top State bureaucrat said on Monday.

"The existing guidelines with regard to the lockdown in all parts of the State issued on May 4 will continue to remain operative till further orders," Chief Secretary Temjen Toy said.

The fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown ended on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told reporters after a cabinet meeting that his government will start the process of sending returnees who tested negative for COVID-19 to their respective districts.

A large nunber of returnees are at different government quarantine centres in Dimapur and Kohima districts, officials said.

Seven people from Chennai had tested positive for COVID-19 in the State on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in Nagaland to 43, they said.

On reports of a person who was in quarantine in Kohima being sent to his home district in Tuensang while his tests results are awaited, Mr. Rio said a judicial inquiry has been set up to look into the matter.

- PTI

9.35 p.m. | Goa

Goa: Minister claims 6 test positive, official says only 2

Hours after Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane claimed five members of a family and their doctor had tested positive for coronavirus in Vasco town in Panaji, State Health Secretary Neela Mohanan on Monday said only two people had been infected as per tests conducted at the GMCH.

The Mangor Hill area, where the cases originated, has been declared a containment zone and sealed, she said.

Ms. Mohanan said the travel history of the two persons is not known yet, adding “it was not right to call this a case of community transmission as investigations are still under way“.

Earlier, Mr. Rane had said, “Five members of a family from the fishing community and the their doctor tested positive for coronavirus. This looks like a case of local transmission within the area. Authorities are examining all aspects.”

Goa’s COVID-19 figures: Positive cases: 73, new cases: two, deaths: nil, discharged: 44, active cases: 29; samples tested till date: 20,780.

9.20 p.m. | Tripura

Non-compliance of social-distancing norms by BSF personnel leads to 163 COVID-19 cases in Tripura: CM Biplab Kumar Deb

Non-compliance of social-distancing norms by BSF personnel upon their return from homes in other parts of the country has led to 163 COVID-19 cases in Tripura in the last few months, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said on Monday.

A Central team sent by the National Centre for Disease Control to probe the COVID-19 outbreak in BSF barracks in Tripura has found that the personnel had not maintained social-distancing norms after returning from their homes in February and March and they were not quarantined in the battalions, he told reporters.

The Central team submitted its report on Sunday and it has been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Deb said.

The commandant of the 138th battalion of the BSF, one of the affected battalions, was transferred after he failed to implement social-distancing norms and quarantine in his battalion, the Chief Minister said.

Tripura has reported a total of 321 COVID-19 cases, of which 173 patients have recovered. The remaining patients are being treated at the State-run GB Pant Hospital in Agartala and several other COVID-19 health-care centres. More than 160 COVID-19 cases were reported in 138th, 186th and 3rd battalions of the BSF located in Dhalai district.

9.17 p.m. | Uttar Pradesh

Updated COVID-19 count from Uttar Pradesh: With five deaths, including two in Meerut, the death toll in the State hit 222, said the State Health Department. Total number of cases reach 8,361 with 3,109 active cases. The State recorded 296 fresh cases over 24 hours and 5,030 patients have been discharged till date.

- Omar Rashid

9.15 p.m.| Gujarat

Ahmedabad COVID-19 cases rise by 314 to 12,494; 22 more die

The number of COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad district rose by 314 to 12,494 on Monday while the death toll went up by 22 to 864, State Health Department said.

Ahmedabad also reported recovery of 790 patients on Monday, the highest single-day tally so far, among the total 861 recoveries reported from across the State, it said.

8.53 p.m. | Rajasthan

Five persons' death - 3 in Jaipur and 1 each in Baran and Bikaner - takes the COVID-19 related mortality figure in Rajasthan to 199. A total of 269 new COVID-19 positive cases were detected in the State today, taking the tally to 9,100. Of them, 6,213 have recovered and 5,569 have been discharged. The number of active cases in Rajasthan, as of now, is 2,688: Medical and Health Department.

- Mohammed Iqbal

8.50 p.m. | Haryana

Haryana reports highest-single day spike in virus cases; one more dies

A coronavirus patient died as Haryana reported its highest single-day increase of 265 cases on Monday, pushing the State’s infection tally to 2,356, nearly sevenfold increase in the numbers in the past month. On April 30, the State had only 339 infection cases. The previous highest single-day jump in cases in Haryana was reported on Friday when the State reported 217 cases.

So far, 21 people have succumbed to the virus in the State. The fresh fatality was reported from the worst-hit Gurgaon, which has so far reported four infection deaths, a bulletin from the Health Department said. Of the 265 fresh cases, Gurgaon reported 129, taking the total number of cases in the district to 903. Last week, Gurgaon saw the highest single-day jump in cases when it reported 157 patients.

The second most-affected Faridabad district reported 25 fresh cases on Monday. So far, 392 cases have been reported from the district. The other districts from where infection cases were reported are Sirsa (28); Sonipat and Hisar (13 each); Palwal and Kaithal (11 each); Bhiwani (5); Jhajjar, Fatehabad, Rohtak and Kurukshetra (4 each); and Nuh and Jind (2 each).

According to the bulletin, there are 1,280 active cases in the State now as 1,055 patients have recovered from the disease. With a spike in cases, the State’s recovery rate has dropped further from 50.12% on Sunday to 44.78%.

8.30 p.m. | Gujarat

Gujarat recorded 25 deaths and 423 cases, increasing its numbers to 1,063 fatalities and 17,217 cases.

- Mahesh Langa

8.30| Bihar

In its second update of the day, the Bihar Health Department has reported 73 more COVID-19 positive cases in the State, taking the total tally to 3,945.

8.25 p.m. | Meghalaya

Meghalaya lifts ban on intra-State travel

The Meghalaya government on Monday announced lifting of restrictions imposed on intra-State travel, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said. There will be no more restrictions on movement of people from one district to another within Meghalaya during daytime as long as protocols on social-distancing, wearing masks and hand-hygiene are maintained, he said. However, the ban on inter-State movement will continue, he added.

The curbs on inter-district movement were lifted as part of easing of restrictions under ‘Unlock-1’ after such travel was banned for over two months due to the coronavirus lockdown. The restrictions were lifted for both public and private transport, he said.

Fifty per cent of vehicular traffic will be allowed and administrator of the district and Transport Department will finalise on this, he said. Car passes issued by the district administration will no longer be required except for those who want to move at night as curfew is imposed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. It was 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. earlier. He also said that shops will be allowed to reopen except barber shops, beauty parlours and malls.

The Iewduh traditional market will continue to remain closed in view of the decision taken recently after due consultation held with the KHADC and Hima Mylliem. At present, Meghalaya has 28 cases of COVID-19 infections out of which 1 has died and 12 persons recovered.

8.10 p.m. | Maharashtra

Maharashtra total cases tally crossed 70,000-mark on Monday with the State reporting 2,361 new COVID-19 cases to take the cumulative tally to 70,013. However, only 37,534 of these cases are active. As many as 779 patients were discharged today, taking the total number of discharged till date to 30,108. 76 new deaths were reported today, taking the total number of fatalities to 2,362.

Mumbai's total case tally has now crossed the 41,000-mark to reach 41,099, while it's death toll has risen to 1,319. As many as 40 of the new deaths reported today were from Mumbai city, nine from Pune district and six each from the Navi Mumbai and Mira Bhayander civic body areas among other parts of the State.

- Shoumojit Banerjee

8 p.m. | Maharashtra

₹50 lakh insurance cover for MSRTC staff

Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab on Monday announced ₹50 lakh insurance cover for Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees engaged in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing labour unions on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of MSRTC, Mr. Parab, who is also chairman of the undertaking, said it ferried 5,37,593 migrants by running 44,106 buses between May 9-31 during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

7.50 p.m. | New Delhi

990 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 20,834, according to a Health Department bulletin released by the Delhi government on Monday.

Also, 50 more deaths have been reported taking the total number of deaths to 523. But only 12 of these deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. Of the total cases, 8,746 people have recovered and there are 11,565 active cases.

  - Nikhil

7.40 p.m. | India

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the Government of India's foreign-currency and local-currency long-term issuer ratings to Baa3 from Baa2. Moody's has also downgraded India's local-currency senior unsecured rating to Baa3 from Baa2, and its short-term local-currency rating to P-3 from P-2. The outlook remains negative.

The decision to downgrade India's ratings reflects Moody's view that the country's policymaking institutions will be challenged in enacting and implementing policies which effectively mitigate the risks of a sustained period of relatively low growth, significant further deterioration in the general government fiscal position and stress in the financial sector.

- Manojit Saha

7.30 p.m. | West Bengal

8 more die of COVID-19 in West Bengal; 271 fresh cases reported

Eight people died of COVID-19 in West Bengal in the last 24 hours, raising the death toll in the State to 253, the Health Department said on Monday.

The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 5,772, with at least 271 more people testing positive for the disease during the period, the Department said. The number of active cases in the State currently stands at 3,141.

Of the eight that succumbed to the disease, five were from the city, and one each from North 24 Parganas and West Medinipore districts, the Department said in its bulletin. One of the eight is a resident of another State.

Earlier, the government had said 72 coronavirus-afflicted patients have died due to comorbidities, and COVID-19 in those cases was “incidental“. At least 149 people discharged from various hospitals since Sunday evening, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,306. As many as 9,480 samples were tested for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said. The number of samples examined so far climbed to 2,13,231.  

7.15. p.m. | Manipur

3 Delhi returnees test COVID-19 positive in Manipur; tally reaches 81

Three Delhi returnees have tested positive for COVID-19 in Manipur on Monday, taking the total number of novel coronavirus cases in Manipur to 81 officials said. The three were quarantined in a college building in Chandel district after their return from Delhi.

They have now been shifted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal, officials said. The Chandel district administration has declared the college as a containment area, officials said.

The State which was declared COVID19-free on April 19 has 70 active cases now. Eleven patients have recovered. The spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases was linked to the arrival of stranded Manipuris from various parts of the country.

7.05 p.m. | Tamil Nadu

1,162 persons test positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Monday, taking the total cases to 23,495; 11 deaths reported, taking the total deaths to 184; 413 discharged, taking the total discharged to 13,170 persons.

- Serena Josephine

7 p.m. | Kerala

57 fresh cases in Kerala, total tally touches 1,326

Kerala on Monday reported 57 fresh positive cases, 55 of whom had come from abroad and other States, taking the infection tally to 1,326 in the State while over 1.39 lakh people are under observation. Eighteen people have recovered from the infection.

While Kasaragod and Malappuram reported 14 cases each, Thirssur reported nine, Kollam five, Pathnamthitta four, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam three each, Alappuzha and Palakkad two each and Idukki one, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters giving details of the break-up of the cases in various districts.

Twenty-seven of the infected had come from abroad and 28 from other States, he said, adding an Air India Express employee and health worker are among those infected. The total COVID-19 cases in the State has touched 1,326, with 708 under treatment and total cured 608. Ten people in the State have succumbed to the virus.

6.30 p.m. | Himachal Pradesh

COVID-19 tally in Himachal Pradesh rises to 339

The number of coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh on Monday rose to 339 as seven more people tested positive for the disease, officials said. Three fresh cases were reported from Chamba, two from Solan and one each from Hamirpur and Mandi, Special Secretary (Health) Nipun Jindal said.

Most of them had recently returned from Tamil Nadu, Mumbai and Delhi, the officials said. In Chamba, two men, aged 27 and 29 years, had a travel history to Tamil Nadu whereas an 18-year-old man had returned from Delhi on May 30, Deputy Commissioner Vivek Bhatia said.

The number of active cases in the State now stands at 213 and fatalities at six. A total of 120 COVID-19 patients have recovered. Hamirpur has the highest number of active cases at 81, followed by 54 in Kangra, 20 in Solan, 18 in Una, 12 in Chamba, 11 in Bilaspur, seven each in Shimla and Mandi, two in Sirmaur and one in Kullu.

6.20 p.m. | Uttar Pradesh

116 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Uttar Pradesh; total rises to 8,191

Uttar Pradesh reported 116 fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the State to 8,191, officials said. Principal Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad said so far, 217 people have died due to COVID-19 and the recovery rate in the State is 59.71%.

The number of active cases in the State stands at 3,083, he said. A total of 4,891 people have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals, Mr. Prasad said.

6 p.m. | Himachal Pradesh

Intra-State bus service resumes in Himachal Pradesh

After a gap of over two months, the bus service within Himachal Pradesh resumed on the first day of the fifth phase of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown on Monday. However, very few passengers were seen travelling in the buses.

On Sunday, the Himachal government had allowed the movement of non-AC buses within the State from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. while retaining curbs on the inter-State bus travel. Buses can carry passengers to 60% of their capacity. The bus service was suspended on March 22 after the State went into a lockdown to check the coronavirus spread. The State government has extended the lockdown till June 30 while relaxing restrictions on commercial activities and movement of people.

An official spokesperson also clarified on Monday that temples and restaurants will open in the State from June 8. In a five-page notification issued on Sunday, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi had said religious places will open for locals of Himachal Pradesh following necessary standard operating procedures.

However, the movement of people will remain prohibited from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout the State, the Chief Secretary said.

5.50 p.m. | Arunachal Pradesh

Chennai returnee becomes Arunachal Pradesh’s fifth COVID-19 patient

Arunachal Pradesh reported its fifth COVID-19 case on Monday after a 26-year-old student who had returned to the State from Chennai tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a senior official said. With the fresh case, a total of four persons are now afflicted with the disease in Arunachal Pradesh while the State’s first patient has recovered and was discharged from a hospital on April 16.

The new patient had returned to the State in a Shramik Special train on May 23 and was housed in a quarantine centre in Namsai district. His swab samples have tested positive for COVID-19, State Health Secretary P. Parthiban said.

5.40 p.m. | Odisha

Odisha announces weekend shutdown for one month in 11 districts

Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases and reports suggesting that outbreak might peak in June, Odisha on Monday announced weekend shutdown for the month in 11 districts of the State. The government has also prohibited all sorts of public congregations across the State till month-end, Chief Secretary A.K. Tripathy said.

“Educational institutions, including schools, colleges, coaching centres, will remain closed till the end of July, while places of worship will be shut for devotees up to June 30. Similarly, shopping malls, cinema halls, swimming pools and gyms will also remain closed till June-end, he said.

The two-day shutdown would be implemented in Bolangir, Nayagarh and nine coastal districts, including Khurda, Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara and Balasore, in view of “high-case load” in these places, he said.

Of the 2,104 COVID-19 cases detected in the State so far, as many as 1,674 positive cases have been reported from these 11 vulnerable districts.

5.35 p.m.| New Delhi

Meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, which was scheduled for June 3, has been postponed as members express inability to travel to Delhi. The Committee is headed by Congress leader Anand Sharma. Mr. Sharma had sought permission for the members who constrained to travel to join the meeting via video link. The permission was denied by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu. The matter has now been referred to the Rules Committee of both the Houses.

- Sobhana K. Nair

5.20 p.m. | Telangana

Telangana Governor expresses concern over largest single day spike of 199 cases

With 199 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Telangana on Sunday, reportedly the highest single day surge, Governor Tamilisai Soundarararjan has expressed concern over the sharp rise in positive cases, in spite of the ongoing efforts, and called for stepping up the fight against the infectious disease. With this, the total tally rises to 2,698 even as five fatalities due to the virus were reported in the State, taking the total toll to 82.

Single day’s largest jump of 199 cases 2 PG medicos & other front line warriors including police warrants United aggressive #fightagainstcorona Stepping up #COVID fights is needed,”Ms. Soundararajan tweeted.

5.10 p.m.| Madhya Pradesh

Indore COVID-19 tally rises to 3,539; death toll reaches 135

The number of COVID-19 cases in Indore rose to 3,539 on Monday after 53 more people tested positive for the disease in the Madhya Pradesh district in last 24 hours, a Health Department official said. Besides, three more deaths of COVID-19 patients were reported, taking the toll in the district to 135, he said.

Of the three victims, a 72-year-old woman died on May 31, another woman aged 51 succumbed to the disease on May 10, while a 66-year-old man died on May 13 in different hospitals in Indore, the official said.

Till Sunday, 3,486 COVID-19 cases were reported in the district, but with 53 more people testing positive for the disease in last 24 hours, the number has gone up to 3,539, he said.

5 p.m. | Uttarakhand

One COVID-19 patient dies in Uttarakhand, cases rise to 929

A coronavirus patient died as the number of people testing positive for the infection rose to 929 with 23 fresh cases in Uttarakhand, a State Health Department bulletin said on Monday. So far, the virus has claimed six lives in the State. According to the bulletin, the fresh death was reported from Rishikesh’s AIIMS.

The patient died on Sunday night due to severe sepsis and septic shock, the bulletin said. Fifteen of the fresh cases were reported from Champawat district while eight people tested positive for the virus in Haridwar, the bulletin added. All new patients had returned from Mumbai recently.

Meanwhile, 98 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery. So far, 200 coronavirus patients have recovered in Uttarakhand. Active cases now stand at 720 in the State, the bulletin said.

4.50 p.m. | Maharashtra

Bombay High Court orders RT-PCR tests for Vidarbha frontline staff

The Central and State governments are obligated and duty bound to ensure minimisation of COVID- 19 risk to frontline workers, the Bombay High Court said on Monday, and directed that RT-PCR tests be conducted on all medical staff and police personnel in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.

A division Bench of Justices Ravi Deshpande and Amit Borkar said all frontline workers deployed in hospitals and containment zones in the entire Vidarbha region shall be entitled to be tested for COVID-19 through RT-PCR method after they express their willingness to undergo the test. The High Court said this would include asymptomatic frontline workers.

The court said it was not possible for it to agree with the stand taken by the state government and Nagpur civic body that guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research does not cover frontline workers for RT-PCR testing.

The Bench also directed the Indian Council of Medical Research to frame an appropriate policy and prescribe a protocol for periodical testing of frontline workers in the Vidarbha region within a period of one week.

4.30 pm | New Delhi

Definition of MSME

Six crore MSMEs provide over 11 crore jobs and account for 29% of GDP. They had some problems which have been addressed, says MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Export turnover will not be included in the turnover for definition of MSMEs. Distressed asset fund and creation of fund of funds for MSMEs, which are two recommendations of the U.K. Sinha committee report, have been agreed to. A ₹4,000 crore distressed asset fund has been approved today.

Slowly, our MSMEs will go towards share market. The fund of funds will start with ₹50,000 crore, it can become ₹2 lakh crore in a couple of years.

Prakash Javadekar announces the name of the loan scheme for street vendors, Prime Minister Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Niti.

4.15 pm | New Delhi

Decisions on MSME and agriculture taken in Cabinet meeting today: Javadekar

The first cabinet meet of Modi 2.0's second year has ended and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar is briefing the media. Here are the updates:

Decisions on MSME and agriculture taken in Cabinet meeting today. Historic decisions were taken for farmers, small and medium businesses and traders, says Mr. Javadekar.

Government has further changed the definition of MSME, from the changes announced in the Atma nirbhar package. After the announcement of the package on May 13, the government got feedback to change the definition further.

The government has remained sensitive to the problems faced by street vendors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Portal and mobile app have been started for loan scheme for street vendors, he says.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar says crop loan interest relief extended from May 31 till August 31.

3.50 pm | Delhi

First physical meet of EC in nearly three months

A meeting of the “full commission” -- the chief election commissioner and two election commissioners -- took place at the Nirvachan Sadan on Monday for the first time in nearly three months.

The poll panel had been holding virtual meets as Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, who was visiting the United States on leave in the first half of March, got stranded there due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Arora returned to India recently and underwent the mandatory quarantine before joining office on Monday.

3.40 pm | Delhi

NITI Aayog officer tests positive for coronavirus

NITI Aayog officer has tested positive for coronavirus and a floor of the NITI Aayog building here has been sealed for sanitation.

According to sources, the official who was working on the third floor attended office until last week.

A director-level officer working at NITI Bhavan had also tested positive for COVID-19 on April 28.

3.25 pm | Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand CM, 3 ministers in self-quarantine

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and three cabinet colleagues were in self-quarantine Monday following a meeting last week with Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Satpal Maharaj, his wife and 21 other people — family members, staff and his followers staying in the same household — have tested positive on Sunday.

Mr. Maharaj had attended a meeting of the state cabinet on Friday.

Despite being in low-risk category, the CM and the three other ministers -- Harak Singh Rawat, Madan Kaushik and Subodh Uniyal -- decided to remain in self- quarantine as a precautionary measure, an official at the Chief Minister’s Office said. - PTI

3.00 pm | Bihar

65 more COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Bihar taking the total number in the State to 3,872. - Amarnath Tewary

2.40 pm | Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh rolls out long term policy for developing health infrastructure

The Arunachal Pradesh government has initiated a long-term policy for developing robust health infrastructure in the state to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said.

“A long-term policy for robust infrastructure and facilities for all 25 district hospitals in the state has been rolled out with proposed allocation of Rs 350 crore,” Mr. Khandu told reporters.

The government has decided to utilize funds under North East Special Infrastructure Development (NESID) and North East Council for upgrading the states health sector.

The government had also released an amount of Rs 15 crore under the Mukhya Mantri Rogi Kalyan Kosh (MMRKK) to the districts besides reducing the salaries of all lawmakers by 30 per cent from April this year to March 2021. The fund will go to the state exchequer and will be used in the fight against COVID-19.

2.25 pm | Manipur

Seven new COVID-19 cases in Manipur

Seven migrant workers who recently returned to Manipur have tested positive for COVID- 19, taking the total number cases in the state to 78.

Of the total 78 COVID-19 cases, 67 are active as 11 persons have recovered.

The State, which was declared COVID 19-free on April 19, recorded a surge in the number of cases with migrants from other parts of the country returning home. - PTI

2 pm | Andhra Pradesh

105 new coronavirus cases reported in Andhra Pradesh

Coronavirus hit the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat on Monday with two government staff testing positive, even as 105 fresh cases were added in the State, taking the overall count to 3,674.

The COVID-19 toll mounted to 64 with two deaths reported from Kurnool district, according to the latest government bulletin.

According to the bulletin, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases within AP was 3,118, that of foreign returnees 112 and those from other States 446.

Of these, 2,169 people of the State had recovered and got discharged from hospitals, including 34 in the last 24 hours, while 197 patients from other States also recovered. - PTI

1.40 pm | Kerala

Inter-district KSRTC services likely in Kerala

The transport department has favoured resuming inter-district services of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and private stage carriers.

A high-level meeting chaired by Transport Minister A. K. Saseendran on Monday decided not to commence Inter-State services now in view of the spurt in COVID-19 cases, following the influx in arrivals via State borders, airports and railway stations.

The fares for the inter-district services will go up as in the case of inter-State services that have already commenced from May 20. Only 50% of the sanctioned load will be allowed in the inter-district services. Commuters will not be allowed to stand and travel. Face masks will be compulsory for all travellers.

1.20 pm | Assam

22 more test positive for COVID-19 in Assam; total cases rise to 1,361

Assam has reported 22 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infected to 1,361, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

Fourteen fresh cases were reported from Dibrugarh district, four from Dhemaji, three from Tinsukia and one from Charaideo, he said.

Assam currently has 1,169 active COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment in different hospitals across the State. A total of 185 people have recovered, four succumbed to the disease, and three migrated. - PTI

12.50 pm | India

Violence against COVID-19 frontline workers not acceptable, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that violence, abuse and rude behaviour against frontline workers fighting  COVID-19  were not acceptable.

Prime Minister participates in the online inauguration.

Prime Minister participates in the online inauguration.

 

The Prime Minister participated in an online inauguration from New Delhi. He said that the government had taken steps to protect those on duty. “Due to mob mentality, those on duty — doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers — are subjected to violence,” he said.

He also said that insurance cover of ₹50 lakh had been provided to those on the frontline. The Prime Minister also said that there was a need to focus on humanity-centric development in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

12.20 pm | Delhi

Delhi borders to be sealed for a week

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a press conference, said that Delhi's borders will be sealed for a week, with an exception to essential services.

"Today I am here to seek your suggestions on a very important question: should Delhi’s borders be opened?" said Mr. Kejriwal. "Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly in the city; but, as I have said earlier, it is a cause for concern but not panic," he said.

"There has been significant improvement in the health infrastructure in Delhi over the last five years. Treatment is free in Delhi hospitals. If we open the borders then people from all over the country will come here for treatment like the usually do. Some people believe that borders should be opened but it’s hospitals should be reserved for its own citizens. That it’s hospital beds should be used only by the citizens of Delhi till the coronavirus concern abates. We need your suggestions on this," he says.

Commuters wait in large numbers for transportation at the Badarpur border bus stop on the first day of Unlock 1.0 in New Delhi on June 1, 2020.

Commuters wait in large numbers for transportation at the Badarpur border bus stop on the first day of Unlock 1.0 in New Delhi on June 1, 2020.

 

Here are the salient points from the presser:

- Delhi government allows barber shops and salons to open. Spas will not be allowed though.

- All shops can open now.

- There will be restrictions on movement from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

- Delhi borders will be sealed for a week. Essential services will be allowed. Government employees will be allowed if they show their ID cards.

12.10 pm | Rajasthan

Four more COVID-19 deaths in Rajasthan; death toll rises to 198

Four more COVID-19 deaths were reported in Rajasthan on Monday, taking the total number of fatalities due to the disease to 198 in the State, officials said.

The number of novel coronavirus cases increased to 8,980 after 149 people tested positive for the infection, they said.

Two deaths were reported from Jaipur and one each from Baran and Bikaner districts on Monday, the officials said.

Of the fresh 149 positive cases, the highest of 44 cases are from Bharatpur, 32 from Jaipur, 27 from Baran, 21 from Pali, 10 from Kota, five from Jhalawar, four from Jhunjhunu, three from Sirohi, two from Dausa and one from Tonk, they said.

The officials said 5,325 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospitals so far. There are 2,742 active cases in the State as of now, they said. - PTI

12 pm | India

501 domestic flights carrying 44,593 passengers operated on Sunday: Puri

A total of 501 domestic flights carrying 44,593 passengers operated in the country on May 31, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday.

Indian carriers operated a total of 3,370 flights till May 31 — 428 on May 25, 445 on May 26, 460 on May 27, 494 on May 28, 513 on May 29 and 529 on May 30.

“Domestic operations on 31st May 2020 (Day 7) till 2359 hrs. Departures 501. 44,593 passengers handled. Arrivals 502. 44,678 passengers handled,” Mr. Puri tweeted on Monday. - PTI

11.50 am | Tamil Nadu

State buses to ply in TN with 60% capacity from today

Bus services will resume in a limited manner from Monday in Tamil Nadu, except in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced.

 

Classifying the State into eight zones for the purpose of bus services, he said that 50% of the Transport Corporations’ fleet would be operational in six zones, with 60% occupancy. No public transport would be available in zones VII and VIII (Chennai and three nearby districts).

 

11.40 am | India

200 special trains start operations from today

The Railways began operations of 200 special trains from Monday and more than 1.45 lakh passengers are expected to travel on the first day. These services are in addition to Shramik Special trains and 30 Special AC trains being run since May 12.

In order to ensure physical distancing and COVID-19 precautions, the Railways has asked passengers to reach the station at least 90 minutes before departure and only travellers with confirmed or RAC tickets will be allowed to enter railway station.

All travellers will be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train.

11.30 am | Mumbai

Senior ICMR scientist tests positive for coronavirus

A senior scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tested positive for novel coronavirus following which the entire ICMR building is being sanitised, sources said.

The scientist, who is from Mumbai, had come to Delhi few days ago and tested positive for the virus on Sunday morning. The scientists is from the National Institute for Research in Reproductive health in ICMR, Mumbai.

The ICMR building will be sanitised and fumigated for two days, a source said.

The scientist had last week attended a meeting in which ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava among others were present. - PTI

11.20 am | Puducherry

Four new cases in Puducherry, including Chennai resident

Four persons, including a resident of Chennai, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Puducherry, taking the active cases to 50.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory is 73 of which 23 people have been discharged.

11.10 am | Delhi

Delhi airport sets up dedicated area to sanitise cabs before pick up

The Delhi airport has set up a dedicated area at the entry point of its parking zone to ensure cabs coming there to pick up passengers are thoroughly sanitised, according to a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) statement.

Radio taxi services like Mega and Meru and app-based cab aggregators like Uber and Ola have a designated area at the airport’s arrival floor’s parking zone.

Explaining the disinfection process, DIAL said its sanitisation personnel use a specially developed fumigation machine to spray disinfectant inside the vehicle. - PTI

 

Back to the grind...

Passengers wait outside Madurai Railway station to board special train to Villupuram after resumption of train services on Monday.

Passengers wait outside Madurai Railway station to board special train to Villupuram after resumption of train services on Monday.

 

10.50 am | Odisha

156 new cases in Odisha

Detection of 156 more COVID-19 cases takes Odisha’s total COVID-19 case count to 2,104 on Monday.

Active cases stand at 969, while 1,126 has recovered. Nine people have died so far – seven of COVID-19 and two of other ailments, State Health Department said.

10.20 am | China

China reports 32 new coronavirus cases

China has reported 32 new coronavirus cases, including 16 asymptomatic infections, the health authority said on Monday.

According to the China’s National Health Commission (NHC), a total of 16 imported cases were reported on Sunday. Eleven were reported in Sichuan Province, three in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and two in Guangdong Province.

Also on Sunday, 16 new asymptomatic cases were reported in the country taking the total number of people under medical observation to 397, the NHC said.  - PTI

10 am | India

India registers biggest single-day spike of 8,392 COVID-19 cases; total rises to 1,90,535

The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 5,394 and the number of cases climbed to 1,90,535 in the country, which registered biggest single-day spikes of 230 deaths and 8,392 cases till Monday 8 am, according to the Union Health Ministry.

India is the seventh worst-hit nation by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 93,322 while 91,818 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, the ministry said.

“Thus, around 48.19% patients have recovered so far,” a senior health ministry official said. - PTI

9.30 am | Hong Kong

Hong Kong reports first local COVID-19 cases in 2 weeks

Hong Kong has confirmed its first locally transmitted coronavirus cases in more than two weeks, fuelling concerns over its spread as restrictions on movement are relaxed.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Sunday it was investigating two confirmed cases of coronavirus, taking the number of cases so far to 1,085. Four people have died of the disease in Hong Kong.

The global financial hub last reported a locally transmitted case on May 14, when a 62-year-old man with no travel history was confirmed with coronavirus.

 

9.10 am | Bihar

The total number of COVID-19 cases touched 3,807 in Bihar on Monday morning. The death toll in the State is 23, and 1,520 people have recovered so far.

8.50 am | Italy

Italy to lift curbs on travel for tourism

Italy registered 355 new coronavirus cases and 75 deaths, some of the lowest such numbers since the nation’s lockdown against the pandemic began in early March.

Italy now totals 2,33,019 known cases of COVID-19 and 33,415 deaths.

But health experts say many people with no or mild symptoms likely didn’t get tested and note that many died in residences for the elderly or in their own homes also without being tested for the virus.

The latest figures from the health ministry come three days before Italy lifts a lockdown rule against travel for tourism between Italian regions and from most European countries. - AP

 

What is herd immunity?

Could exposure to the coronaviruses that cause the common cold help protect against COVID-19? Is herd immunity closer than previously thought?

 

8.30 am | India

Different States, different guidelines

The Home Ministry, while lifting the restrictions on Saturday under ‘Unlock 1’, had said that governments of States and union territories will be free to regulate movement for public health reasons, provided they give wide publicity to the restrictions in advance.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu: continue with the curbs till June 30 with partial relaxations

Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana: allows conditional inter-State movement

Karnataka: allows inter-State movement with mandatory health screening and home quarantine

Uttar Pradesh: no ban on interstate travel, but Noida-Delhi border to stay sealed except for exempted services, people

Punjab: no restriction on inter-state movement; use of COVA app and self-generated ‘e-pass’ mandatory

Madhya Pradesh: no need of e-passes for inter-State travel in personal vehicles; decision on re-starting inter-State public transport to be taken on June 7

Chhattisgarh: inter-State travel without requisite permission prohibited

Odisha: resumption of inter-State bus services expected soon

8 am | USA

U.S. records 598 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins

The United States recorded 598 coronavirus deaths on Sunday, bringing its total to 1,04,356 since the global pandemic began, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

The country has officially logged 17,88,762 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 p.m.

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