The World Health Organisation is optimistic and hopeful that the COVID-19 vaccines could be available before the end of this year, according to the agency’s chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan.
She said that there are about 10 candidates which are in human testing phase and at least three of them are entering the new promising phase-three stage which proves a vaccine’s efficacy.
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:
Number of COVID-19 cases surge past 50,000 in Delhi
The Capital reported 3,137 Covid-19 positive cases on June 19 taking the total number of cases up to 53,116, according to a heath bulletin issued by the Delhi government.
66 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours with the total number of deaths being revised to 2,035.
1,828 people recovered taking to total number of recoveries to 23,569.
There are 27,512 active cases in the city and 243 containment zones. 13,074 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours. 8,726 tests were conducted on June 18. — Jaideep
Jharkhand COVID-19 cases near 2,000-mark
Jharkhand reported 41 new COVID-19 cases, taking the State’s tally to 1,961, a government bulletin said.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 1,608 were migrant workers, it said.
A total of 137 patients recovered from COVID-19, taking the total recoveries to 1,335.
The State now has 615 active COVID-19 cases.
So far 11 people have died of COVID-19 in the State. The deaths were reported from Ranchi (4), Bokaro (2), Giridih (1), Gumla (1), Hazaribag (1), Koderma (1) and Simdega (1), it said. — PTI
Over 7,000 tests using Rapid Antigen methodology conducted on first day in Delhi: ICMR
A day after COVID-19 tests using Rapid Antigen methodology commenced in the national capital, the ICMR on June 19 said over 7,000 test were conducted on the first day.
In a statement, the ICMR said it has facilitated and approved rapid-antigen test for COVID-19 that gives results in 30 minutes in order to fast track reliable and affordable testing essentially in high containment areas.
Rapid antigen testing was launched in Delhi and on the first day, over 7,000 tests were conducted, it said.
Following Union Home Ministry instructions, both government and private labs were involved in conducting tests on a large scale, the ICMR said.
Out of the over 7,000 tests performed in Delhi, 450 were found positive, said the statement.
All those who tested negative but have symptoms would be re-tested by RT-PCR, the gold standard test, it said.
“ICMR expects availability of over 71 lakh Rapid Antigen test kits in next 10 days kickstarting production in a big way,” it said.
“ICMR handheld and provided support in improving the performance of the kit. It is proving to be of great help in testing as it is easy to perform testing, doesn’t require molecular virology laboratory infrastructure,” it said.
3,827 fresh cases registered in Maharashtra
Maharashtra recorded its highest single- day case surge on June 19, with 3,827 new Covid-19 cases taking the total tally to 1,24,331.
142 new deaths pushed the total death toll to 5,893. Of the total cases, 55,651 are active ones. As many as 1,935 patients were discharged today, taking the total number of discharged till date to 62,773. With 1,264 new cases, Mumbai's total case tally has reached 64,139.
The city's death toll has risen to 3,425. As many as 114 of the new deaths reported today were from Mumbai city and eight from Aurangabad district among other parts of the state.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), on Friday, issued orders making 5 days’ institutional quarantine of each COVID case under home quarantine mandatory. Such cases, after institutional quarantine, will be sent back to home isolation except in cases where symptoms require further hospitalisation. -- Jatin Anand
Telangana reports highest number of cases in a day
Telangana, on Friday, reported 499 new cases taking the total number of positive cases to 6,526. The State also reported 3 deaths taking the death toll to 198.
The total number of discharged and active cases stood at 3,352 and 2,976 respectively.
WHO chief warns virus pandemic ‘accelerating’
The head of the World Health Organization said the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating and that more than 150,000 cases were reported yesterday — the highest single-day number so far.
In a media briefing on Friday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said nearly half of the newly reported cases were from the Americas, with significant numbers from South Asia and the Middle East.
We are in a new and dangerous phase, he said, warning that restrictive measures are still needed to stop the pandemic. Many people are understandably fed up with being at home (and) countries are understandably eager to open up their societies.
But Tedros warned that the virus is still spreading fast and that measures like social distancing, mask wearing and hand-washing are still critical.
COVID-19 positive woman dies in UP’s Shamli, 13 fresh cases detected
A coronavirus affected woman succumbed to the infection on Friday in neighbouring Shamli district while 13 new cases were reported there, officials said.
Shamli District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur told reporters that 13 cases were reported and a woman patient from the district died in Meerut Medical College where she was referred to from a COVID-designated hospital due to her serious condition.
Of the 13 new cases, eight were already in quarantine while the remaining five are being shifted to a COVID hospital in Shamli’s Jhinjhana.
With the fresh cases, the number of active cases has gone up to 31 in Shamli district, the DM said.
Meanwhile, Muzaffarnagar district reported seven cases along with one death, whose samples came out positive after the man had passed away.
Madhya Pradesh on Friday registered 156 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 11,582. The number of active cases stands at 2,339. Nine patients died of the illness on the day. Both Bhopal and Indore reported four deaths each, while Rajgarh reported one. The State-wide death toll climbed to 495. As for recoveries, 116 patients were discharged from hospitals on the day. So far, 8,748 persons have been cured of the illness, says the State Directorate of Health Services.
Punjab recorded 217 fresh COVID-19 cases on June 19 and reported nine more death taking the tally to 92, according to an official statement.
The number of positive cases has reached 3,832. The patients who died were from Amritsar, Moga, Barnala, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Patiala and Tarn Taran districts. The major chunk of new cases, 79 and 35 were reported from Jalandhar and Amritsar districts respectively. The Health department said the active cases are 1104 and 2,636 patients have so far.
In Haryana, 525 fresh cases of Covid-19 surfaced, taking the total tally of cumulative cases to 9,743. Haryana also reported 10 deaths taking the total tally to 144. The major chunk of new cases, 161 and 145 were reported from Faridabad and Gurugram districts respectively. The active cases are 4,710 and 4,889 patients have so far been discharged, the statement added.
COVID-19: Pune reports massive surge of nearly 500 new cases
The uptick in Covid-19 cases in Pune district continued relentlessly with nearly 500 new cases being reported on Friday as the district’s cumulative case tally (including deaths and recoveries) soared to 14, 248, said authorities.
As per data given by authorities till evening, the district had reported a record surge of 498 new cases since Thursday while the total death toll currently stood at 552.
Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Deepak Mhaisekar informed that of the total cases, only 5,172 were active ones while 8,524 persons had been discharged across the district. The current recovery rate stood at 59.83% - a reduction from the 62% figure of the past few days.
Both Pimpri-Chinchwad as well as certain pockets in the Pune rural region have witnessed a significant spike in cases since May 19. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) reported 104 new cases today as the township’s total case tally surged to 1,569 of whom 579 are active while 954 have been discharged.
Despite the contagion having been hitherto under control in the PCMC area, the civic body has reported an estimated total of 450 active cases since mid-May. -- Shoumojit Banerjee
Passengers coming into Kerala require pre-flight mandatory test from June 25
In some relief to expatriates flying to Kerala, the government on Friday extended the pre-flight mandatory COVID-19 test for those coming to the State from abroad by four days and said from June 25 all overseas travellers must get themselves tested before boarding.
“Passengers travelling on flights from overseas to Kerala from June 25 should get themselves tested and have Covid negative results before boarding the flights,”a government press release said.
The decision is based on an arrangement to bring COVID-19 negative and positivepeople separately, Dr K Ellangovan, Principal Secretary, NORKA (Non Resident Keralites Affairs) said.
The implementation of the prerequisite has been extended by four days as various expatriate organisations had sought more time to facilitate the Covid testing, he added.
Gujarat records 540 new COVID-19 cases and 27 deaths, bringing its numbers to 1619 deaths and 26198 cases. With 340 discharges, total patients discharged so far are 18167. -- Mahesh Langa
EU leaders agree to move on quickly on virus recovery deal
European Union leaders found that a quick deal on the bloc’s future long-term budget and a multibillion-euro post-pandemic recovery plan remained beyond their reach Friday as the coronavirus ravages their economies.
Following a four-hour video summit aimed at paving the way for a compromise this summer, there was common ground on the need for a quick response but divergences persisted among the leaders of EU member nations.
It is essential to take a decision as soon as possible,” EU Council President Charles Michel said, announcing he plans to call an in-person summit for the leaders of the 27-nation bloc for mid-July.
The meeting was the first step in intense discussions on the European Commission’s plans for a 1.1-trillion-euro seven-year budget and a 750-billion-euro ($825 billion) recovery fund.
Karnataka reports 10 deaths, 337 new cases
Karnataka on Friday reported 10 deaths and 337 new cases. With this the toll touched 124.
With Friday's cases, the total number of positive cases in the State now stand at 8,281. This includes 5,210 discharges, 2,943 active cases and 124 deaths. With 138 cases, Bengaluru Urban reported the highest number of cases. Seven of the 10 deaths are also from Bengaluru.
CAF man posted outside Chhattisgarh CM’s house tests positive
A Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) personnel posted on security duty at the official residence of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in Raipur tested positive for novel coronavirus on Friday, officials here said.
He was deployed outside the western gate of the CM’s residence and has been hospitalised, a government release said.
“There was no direct connection of the personnel with security staff deployed inside the premises and visitors to the CM house. These security personnel (posted outside the gate) did not enter inside the CM’s residence,” it said.
All prescribed protocols and health safety standards are being followed as precautionary measures, the statement said.
TN reports 2,115 more cases and 41 deaths on Friday
A total of 2115 persons test positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Friday taking the total to 54,449.
On Friday, 1,630 people were discharged taking the total number of discharged to 30,271
With the State reporting 41 deaths, the death toll stood at 666.
Delhi Police DCP tests positive for COVID-19
A Delhi Police DCP on Friday tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.
The deputy commissioner of police is currently under home quarantine. Three members of his staff have been sent for home isolation, a senior police officer said.
The DCP’s report came back positive for COVID-19 on Friday, the officer said.
Earlier, two IPS-rank officers of the Delhi Police had tested positive for COVID-19.
More than 800 Delhi Police personnel have tested positive for the disease so far.
Kerala tally inching towards 3000 mark, 118 new cases
The COVID-19 infection tally in Kerala is inching towards the 3,000 mark with 118 new cases being reported onFriday, the highest single day spike, while 1.32 lakh people are under observation in various districts.
With the addition of the fresh cases, 2912 people have been infected by the pandemic, while 1380 people are under treatment and 1509 have recovered, including 96 who were cured and discharged today, Health minister K K Shailaja said.
New positive cases on a single day had touched three digits for the first time in the state on June 5 when 111 people were infected.
Eight COVID-19 patients recover from virus in Mizoram
Eight Covid-19 patients were discharged from a hospital in Mizoram on Friday as they have recovered from the virus after undergoing treatment for 17 days, a Health department official said.
Health department spokesperson on COVID-19, Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma Pachuau told PTI that of the eight people six are from Kolasib district and two from Aizawl district. They were discharged from Zoram Medical College (ZMC) after they tested twice negative for Covid-19.
He said the recovered patients, seven females and one male were advised one week self-monitoring at home.
With the recovery of the eight people, the total number of recovered patients in the state rose to nine, he said.
The first patient, who had tested positive for COVID- 19 in Mizoram on March 24, was discharged from ZMC on May 9 after his four consecutive samples tested negative for the virus, he added.
Number of COVID-19 containment zones in Bengal rises to 2,428
Amid the rising COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, the number of containment zones in the state has also also increased from 1,907 to 2,428 in a week.
Kolkata, which has reported the highest number of active cases in the state (2,173) so far, also has the maximum number of containment zones at 1,512, according to the state government website ‘Egiye Bangla’
The State capital is followed by its neighbouring North 24 Parganas district, which has 219 containment zones, it said.
The number of containment zones in Bankura, which is witnessing a constant flow of returnees from other states, has increased to 140. The number was 88 a week ago.
Rising number of COVID cases in Haryana, worrisome, says Hooda
Asking the BJP-JJP government in Haryana to step-up its efforts to control rising number of COVID-19 cases, leader of Opposition in Haryana Assembly and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday said the rapid pace at which corona cases were increasing in the State was ''worrisome''.
“The government should wake up in time. If they don’t react now, the situation in Haryana could be similar to Delhi, Gujarat or Mumbai. The government needs to take more strict steps to prevent infection. The number of test should be tripled and the rates of these tests should be reduced by half,” he said,
Mr. Hooda also demanded the State government to increase testing for COVID-19 as as beign done in Delhi.
On the issue of sacked Physical Training Instructors following Supreme Court's order, Mr. Hooda said that the government should immediately use legislative power to save jobs of sacked employees. “When the Congress was in government, the Supreme Court and the High Court ordered the sacking of guest teachers but the government, using its powers and legal provisions, was able to save their jobs and they are still serving in the schools of the state. The current government should also use its legislative powers to save the jobs of 1983 PTIs. The job of the government is to provide employment, not to take away employment,” the former Chief Minister remarked. -- Vikas Vasudeva
COVID-19 in jails: Have come up with guidelines, Maharashtra tells HC
The Maharashtra government told Bombay High Court on Friday that it had come up with a set of draft guidelines for providing medical safeguards to prison inmates across the state in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni told a bench led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta that prison authorities will conduct daily thermal screening for all inmates, and those who show symptoms of coronavirus will be quarantined.
Such inmates, staff etc who might have come in direct contact with COVID-19 patients, or those who might have spent at least 15 minutes with a COVID-19 inmate will be tested for coronavirus, the state submitted.
“The state also said it will provide all required medical facilities in prisons,” said senior counsel Mihir Desai.
Railways trying innovative ways to keep isolation coaches cool
From using bamboo chicks to bubble-wraps and heat-resistant paint, the Railways is trying innovative ways to beat the heat inside isolation coaches deployed to treat coronavirus patients.
In a statement, the Railways said cover-sheets are also being placed over these coaches — deployed in five states to work as Covid care centres — to keep the interiors cool.
Bubble-wrap films are being applied on the coaches, which are expected to keep inside temperatures down by one degree Celsius, it said.
As a trial, the Northern Railways coated the roof of isolation coaches with heat-reflective paint and found that temperature inside can be reduced up to 2.2degreesC using this method, it said.
Trials are also being planned for another coating developed in association with IIT, Mumbai. The trial would be done on 20/6/2020 and the results recorded,¨ the statement said.
It also said that the Railways has made arrangements to coat the roofs of these coaches with a heat-reflecting paint or alternatively provide a bamboo chick etc which will lower the temperature further.
A trial has been done by placing portable coolers inside the coaches. A temperature reduction of up to 3degreesC was achieved using these coolers, the Railways said.
Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has sanctioned an amount of Rs 11.25 crore for purchasing 3 testing machines for Dehradun, Haldwani and Srinagar medical colleges to increase COVID19 testing in the State.
UP records highest single-day spike of 809 COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 16,594
Uttar Pradesh on Friday recorded the highest single-day spike of 809 coronavirus cases, with the tally rising to 16,594 in the state, officials said.
The death toll due to COVID-19 mounted to 507 after 19 fresh fatalities were reported from different districts of the state, they said.
The previous highest single-day spike in cases was on Thursday when the state recorded 604 cases.
“Of the total infected people, 9,995 have been discharged from hospitals after recovery. The number of active cases in the state stands at 6,092,” Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said.
He said record 17,221 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Thursday.
The official said the state health department has also started random sampling.
COVID-19 hospital managed by Doctors Without Borders inaugurated in Patna
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday inaugurated a 100-bed temporary COVID-19 hospital in Patna, set up by Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian organisation, in collaboration with the State government.
The facility, which is said to be “the first of its kind and fully managed by Mdecins Sans Frontires”, another name by which the organisation is known, has been set up at Pataliputra Sports Complex in the citys Kankarbagh locality.
Speaking on the occasion, state health minister Mangal Pandey said, “In these times when the world is grappling with a pandemic, it is essential for all stakeholders to work together and fight this battle against COVID 19.
“This initiative by MSF is an excellent example of how every contribution counts and the Bihar government wholeheartedly supports their work.”
Yediyurappa shifts official meetings to Vidhana Soudha
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa shifted his official meetings to Vidhana Soudha from the home office ‘Krishna’, for getting the home office sanitized by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) staff.
Following a suspected COVID-19 positive case in a constable posted at the home office, the Chief Minister shifted two official meetings to the State Secretariat, sources in the Chief Minister’s office said.
Satyendar Jain on oxygen support
Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, who under treatment for COVID-19 has been put on oxygen support.
Mr. Jain's condition has worsened from Thursday night. "He has pnuemonia and the infection has spread in his lungs. He has been on oxygen support through the night and also today," an AAP source said.
He is being shifted to Max Hospital Saket.
- Nikhil M. Babu
TN Minister tests positive
Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbazhagan has tested positive for COVID-19. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, M.K. Stalin wished him speedy recovery.
A couple of days ago, an under-secretary rank official working with Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami died after testing positive for COVID-19. Four more officials, who frequently visited the Chief Minister’s camp office and his chamber in the Secretariat, too, have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been advised home quarantine.
DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan succumbed to the disease on June 10. Four days later, AIADMK MLA K. Palani, elected from Sriperumbudur constituency, tested positive for COVID-19 and has since been hospitalised.
Newborn among three dead in J&K
A 15-day-old baby was among three COVID-19 patients who died at a hospital in Srinagar, taking the number of fatalities due to the novel coronavirus in the Union Territory to 75.
The baby is the youngest COVID-19 victim in the union territory, the officials said, adding all the deaths took place at SKIMS hospital in Soura area of the city.
The baby from Bemina area had tested positive for the virus and was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday as a case of aortic stenosis with Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF). The newborn died this morning. - PTI
Panel recommends fixing cost of COVID isolation, ICU beds in pvt hospitals
A high-powered committee, set up by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has recommended fixing the cost of an COVID-19 isolation bed in private hospitals in Delhi in the range of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and an ICU bed with ventilator at Rs 15,000-Rs 18,000 per day, the Home Ministry said.
The committee, under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog member V K Paul, was constituted on Sunday to ensure the availability of 60 per cent beds by private hospitals at lower rates and fix the rate of coronavirus testing and treatment.
“The committee has recommended Rs 8000-10000, 13000-15000 & 15000-18000 including PPE costs for isolation bed, ICUs without & with ventilator respectively to all hospitals as compared to the current charges of Rs 24000-25000, 34000-43000 & 44000-54000 (excluding PPE cost),” a Home Ministry spokesperson said in a tweet.
SC calls for uniformity in COVID-19 testing charges in all States
There should be uniformity in COVID-19 testing charge in all states, the Supreme COurt said while hearing a plea.
It also directed all states to constitute panel of experts for inspecting hospitals to ensure proper care of COVID-19 patients. It also pitched for installation of CCTVs in hospitals to ensure monitoring of patient care.
Bengal govt. directs private hospitals not to refuse admission to patients
The West Bengal government on Thursday said that private health facilities in the State should not refuse admission to COVID-19 patients and make public the number of vacant beds in their institution.
State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha held a meeting with officials of private hospitals and said that in the fight against the pandemic there was nothing called private or public and everyone should work towards serving the people. “We are hearing certain complaints from the people about private facilities. There are about 1,000 beds in private hospitals in Kolkata of which 50 % beds are vacant,” Mr. Sinha said.
Pune reports 100 fresh cases
The rise in COVID-19 cases in Pune district continued on Friday, with more than 100 new cases being reported over a 12-hour span, as the district’s cumulative case tally surged to 13,854, said authorities.
Women walk past coronavirus awareness banners near a shopping centre in Camp area, Pune city on June 16, 2020.
Both Pimpri-Chinchwad as well as certain pockets in the Pune rural region have witnessed a significant spike in cases since May 19. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), where the contagion was hitherto under control, has reported an estimated total of 450 active cases since mid-May.
Bengaluru to form 'Citizen Quarantine Squad' for monitoring
Another update from Bengaluru: The city officials are looking to rope in citizens to form a 'Citizen Quarantine Squad' to ensure that those in home quarantine comply with rules. An announcement has been made on social media platforms, and more than 500 citizens have already signed up to be a part of the squad.
“We want to have one citizen enrolled in the squad for every 50 to 100 houses in a locality. This person will be responsible for monitoring movement (inter-State/inter-country) within his/her limits, ensure those who are placed in 14-day mandatory home quarantine are following it and report to the booth level officer in-charge,” explains an official explained.
This move comes after it emerged that nearly half of the people who came to Bengaluru from other States did not register on ‘Seva Sindhu’ portal, making COVID-19 control a logistical nightmare.
Vikasa Soudha staff to work from home for a day
After an employee in the building tested positive for COVID-19, Karnataka government has asked all employees at the Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru to work from home today to allow for sanitising the entire building by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
On Tuesday, an employee of the Food and Civil Supplies Department located in the Vikasa Soudha tested positive for COVID-19. Following this, employees of both the Vikasa Soudha and the adjoining Vidhana Soudha are set undergo screening for COVID-19.
The order to work from home is first for State government employees, though Central Ministries had ordered work from home during lockdown.
Complete lockdown begins in Chennai, police use drones to monitor movement
The Chennai police have intensified security arrangements to implement the complete lockdown, brought in to control the spread of COVID-19, effectively. On Friday morning, iron barricades were installed on the city’s arterial roads restricting the movement of public on vehicles.
Chennai police department is using drones, fitted with a speaker, to announces a pre-recorded message on lockdown rules.
Anna Salai and a few other roads, and most bridges are closed for traffic. Many roads wore a deserted look on Friday morning, while some had just a few vehicles, mostly those of essential services, such as medical staff.
With another spike, Andhra witnesses 52% of total cases in the last 18 days
The 'Unlock 1' phase between June 1 and June 18 has proved costly for Andhra Pradesh, with the State recording 52% of its total COVID-19 cases in this period.
The State registered 3,925 cases in this period. The remaining 3,571 cases were reported between March 12 and May 31, and account for 48% of the total cases.
Of the total 7, 496 cases, as many as 3,772 persons have recovered including the cases of 131 new recoveries in the past day and 3, 632 persons are undergoing treatment in the State.
Village in Maharashtra’s Uran flattens the curve with 99% recoveries
Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai has reported more than 4,000 COVID-19 cases, with a recovery rate of around 57%. But in the adjoining Uran, one village has managed to bring its recovery rate to 99.2%, with only one patient currently under treatment.
Karanja village, which has eight padas and a population of around 10,000, had reported as many as 134 cases. Now, the sole active patient is likely to be discharged in the next four days. Officials credit the achievement to coordinated efforts between revenue officials, police, and teachers and doctors, to screen residents and simultaneously ensure strict enforcement of the lockdown.
13,586 new cases in India in past 24 hours
India added 13,586 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in a single day, pushing the tally to 3,80,532, while the death toll rose to 12,573 with 336 new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
In some positive news, the number of recoveries crossed the two lakh mark and stands at 2,04,710, while there are 1,63,248 total COVID-19 active cases, according to the updated official figure at 8 a.m.
“Thus, around 53.79% patients have recovered so far,” an official said.
This is the eight day in a row that India has registered over 10,000 cases.
Dexamethasone, the 'wonder' drug
For around six months now, scientists and doctors across the world have been trying various antiviral medications such as remdesivir, plasma donated from people who have recovered from the virus and steroids such as dexamethasone to treat COVID-19 patients.
Of this, dexamethasone grabbed attention this week with reports confirming it can save the lives of many of the sickest patients. So what exactly is dexamethasone and what does it do? We explain in this video.
Mobile testing lab to boost last-mile testing
In a bid to improve India's last-mile COVID-19 testing abilities, a mobile I-Lab (Infectious disease diagnostic lab) was launched by the Union Health Minister.
The mobile unit can be sent on goods trains to various parts of the country. Photo: Special Arrangement
The lab has the capability to perform 25 RTPCR tests a day, 300 ELISA tests a day and additional tests for TB, HIV as per CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) rates, and will be deployed to the interior and inaccessible parts of India.
Chennai's arterial roads to be off limits from today
Arterial roads in Chennai will be closed to the public and residents will have to walk to shops to buy essentials from today as the Tamil Nadu capital and its surrounding areas go into complete lockdown till June 30 .
The lockdown will be enforced in parts of Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts as well.
Policemen putting up barricades on the usually Wallajah Road during the 1st day of the 12-day lockdown in Chennai, on Friday, June 19, 2020.
As the news of the lockdown broke, the number of people leaving Chennai via various flights doubled . A majority of the flyers had been travelling to cities like Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata, says Airports Authority of India officials.
Metros continue to report spike in case count
The rise in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi continues, with Delhi reporting over 2,800 cases in the past 24 hours. Chennai and Mumbai both reported more than 1,300 cases each in the past day.
At the time of this update, the number of cases in the four major metro cities (according to State authorities) are as follows:
Chennai: 37,070
Delhi: 49,979
Kolkata: 4,269
Mumbai: 61,587
