Coronavirus India lockdown Day 73 updates | June 5, 2020

India stands seventh among the nations worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic after the U.S., Brazil, Russia, the UK, Spain and Italy.

June 05, 2020 09:42 am | Updated 11:11 pm IST

Buyers observe physical distance at Akhil Mandai Mandal, which reopened after two months in Pune, Maharashtra.

Buyers observe physical distance at Akhil Mandai Mandal, which reopened after two months in Pune, Maharashtra.

Extra focus on hygeine, mandatory thermal screening, compulsory face masks — these are some of the instructions the Union Health Ministry has issued as a part of reopening India's economy, even as coronavirus infections continue to spike in the country.

As per latest update, India stands seventh among the nations worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic after the U.S., Brazil, Russia, the UK, Spain and Italy.

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 update:

10.15 p.m. | Madhya Pradesh

7 deaths, 234 new cases in M.P.

Madhya Pradesh on Friday registered 234 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 8,996. The number of active cases stands at 2,734. Seven deaths due to the illness were reported on the day.  Four patients died in Indore, while Khandwa, Khargone and Ujjain reported one death each.

The State-wide death toll climbed to 384. As for recoveries, 241 patients were discharged from hospitals on the day. So far, 5,878 persons have been cured of the illness, says the State Directorate of Health Services.

- Sidharth Yadav         

9.55 pm | Goa

Mangor Hill accounts for 26 of 30 new COVID-19 cases in Goa

The number of COVID-19 cases in Goa increased by 30 on Friday to touch 196, with Vasco’s Mangor Hill, the state’s first containment area, accounting for 26 of the fresh detections, an official said.

Four other cases were linked to a repatriation flight from Dubai which landed at the airport here last week, he added.

Mangor Hill was declared a containment zone on Wednesday after several cases were reported, and the numbers have continued to rise there.

“We tested 2,170 samples on Friday, a majority of which were from Mangor Hill area,” the official said.

Goa’s COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases: 196, new cases: 30, deaths: nil, discharged: 65, active cases 131, Samples tested till date: 26,208.

- PTI

9.50 pm | Punjab

One more dies of coronavirus in Punjab, toll 48; 46 fresh cases raise state’s tally to 2,461

One more person died of coronavirus in Punjab, pushing the death toll to 48, while 46 fresh positive cases raised the state’s infection count to 2,461, officials said on Friday.

A 45-year-old man, a resident of Tarn Taran district, succumbed to COVID-19 Thursday night at a hospital in Amritsar, they said.

He was suffering from liver infection and asthma, the officials, adding his samples were taken on Thursday and his report confirming him to be positive came on Friday.

With the 46 fresh cases reported in the state on Friday, the COVID-19 tally rose to 2,461.

Sixteen cases were reported in Ludhiana, eight in Jalandhar, four in Mohali, three each in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, two each in Kapurthala and Tarn Taran, one each in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bathinda, Muktsar, Moga, Sangrur, Pathankot and Faridkot, as per the medical bulletin.

Twenty-six coronavirus patients were discharged from various hospitals, taking the figure of the cured persons to 2,069.

There are 344 active cases in the state as of now, as per the bulletin.

- PTI

9.40 pm | Arunachal Pradesh

Two fresh COVID-19 cases in Arunachal; count rises to 44

Two fresh COVID-19 cases have been reported in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the state’s tally to 44 on Friday, a senior health official said.

Of the 44 cases, 43 are active and were reported in the last 12 days, he said.

The new patients are from Namsai and Changlang districts and they had recently returned from other parts of the country, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) L Jampa said.

- PTI

9.35 pm | Chandigarh

COVID-19: Seven more test positive in Chandigarh

Seven more people including a three-year-old girl tested positive for coronavirus in Chandigarh on Friday, taking the COVID-19 tally to 309 in the union territory. Six people were residents of Bapu Dham colony while one was residing in sector-21, as per the medical bulletin.

Meanwhile, 51 coronavirus patients were discharged from hospitals after they recovered from the virus. A total 273 patients have recovered from the infection so far in the UT, as per the bulletin.

A total of 5,121 samples have been tested so far and of them, 4,793 are negative and reports of 18 are awaited, it said. A total of 31 cases are active in the city while five patients have died due to the virus, it added.

- PTI

9.30 pm | Haryana

Haryana’s COVID-19 tally reaches 3,597 with 316 fresh cases; Gurgaon reports 153 cases

Haryana on Friday reported 316 fresh COVID-19 cases, 153 of them from the worst-hit Gurgaon district, taking the total tally in the state to 3,597.

Gurgaon, which has so far reported four of the 24 COVID-19 deaths in the state, now has a cumulative total of 1,563 instances of the infection, according to the state health department’s bulletin.

Among the fresh cases on Friday, 59 were reported from Faridabad district, 22 from Charkhi Dadri, 14 from Palwal, 12 from Kurukshetra, 11 from Rewari, nine from Hisar, seven from Karnal, six from Ambala, four each from Rohtak and Narnaul, three each from Nuh and Fatehabad, two each from Jind, Jhajjar and Sirsa and one each from Kaithal, Panipat and Panchkula, as per the bulletin.

Total active COVID-19 cases in the state stood at 2,364 while 1,209 patients have recovered, it stated.

With the spike in cases, the state’s COVID-19 recovery rate dropped from Thursday’s 34.23 per cent to 33.61 per cent. The rate at which infections are doubling in the state stood at six days.

- PTI

9.20 pm | Delhi

1,330 new cases in Delhi, 25 deaths

According to a heath bulletin from Delhi Government, 1,330 new COVID-19-positive cases were reported in the city taking the cumulative tally to 26,334.

25 Deaths were reported in the last 24 hours taking the total toll to 708.

417 people recovered taking total number of recoveries to 10,315.

There are currently 15,311 active cases in Delhi.

- Jaideep

9.10 pm | Hyderabad

143 new cases in Hyderabad

143 COVID-19-positive cases were reported today in Telangana along with 8 deaths.

This brings the death toll to 113 so far.

1,627 patients have been discharged.

1,550 patients are still in hospitals, actively receiving treatment. 

- Syed Mohammed

9.00 pm | Rajasthan

Rajasthan crosses the 10,000-mark in cases

The tally of COVID-19 positive cases in Rajasthan crosses the 10,000-mark with the detection of 218 cases today.

The number has now reached 10,084.

Five deaths - two in Ajmer, one each in Jaipur and Sawai Madhopur and one of a patient from out of State - take the COVID-19 related mortality figure in the State to 218.

Of the 7,359 patients who have recovered so far, 6,818 have been discharged.

The number of active cases in Rajasthan, as of now, is 2,507, says the Medical & Health Department.

- Mohammed Iqbal

8.50 pm | Chhattisgarh

One BSF personnel among 90 new COVID-19 patients in Chhattisgarh

Coronavirus cases continued to rise in Chhattisgarh with 90 more people, including a Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, testing positive on Friday, a health official here said.

On Thursday, the state had reported 93 COVID-19 cases.

The state’s COVID-19 count is now 863, though active cases are 630 as 231 people have been discharged and two patients have died, he said.

“Of the new cases, 40 were reported from Korba district, 15 from Balodabazar, 14 from Bilaspur, 13 from Raigarh, three from Raipur, two from Rajnandgaon while one each case came from Durg, Koriya and Balrampur districts,” he said.

- PTI

8.15 pm | New Delhi

SC refuses to entertain plea on de-congestion of jails, asks petitioner to approach HCs

The Supreme Court Friday refused to entertain a plea relating to de-congestion of prisons across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it can not pass specific directions as the situation was not similar in each states.

The apex court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the plea and granted him liberty to approach the jurisdictional high courts on the issue.

On March 16, the top court had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance on overcrowding of prisons across the country and said it is difficult for jail inmates to maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

- PTI

8 pm | New Delhi

PM Modi assures Rawanda of India’s support in combating coronavirus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday assured Rwandan President Paul Kagame of India’s steadfast support, including medical assistance, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the African nation.

During their telephonic conversation, the prime minister also appreciated the effective management of the crisis under Mr. Kagame’s leadership, and the firm resolve of the people of Rwanda in combating the challenge.

Prime Minister Modi expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in bilateral ties since his visit to Rwanda in 2018, an official statement said.

- PTI

7.50 pm | West Bengal

COVID-19 death toll in Bengal rises to 294; total cases at 7,303

West Bengal reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths on Friday, taking the toll to 294 while the state also registered its highest single-day spike in cases with 427 new patients, pushing the virus count to 7,303, a health department bulletin said.

The number of active cases rose to 4,025, it said.

Of the 11 deaths, four each were from Kolkata and its twin city Howrah while two were reported from North 24 Parganas district and one from Hooghly, the bulletin said.

There were deaths of 72 other patients due to co-morbidities where COVID-19 was “incidental”, it maintained.

In the last 24 hours, 9,686 samples have been tested, the bulletin said.

At least 144 people were discharged from different hospitals since Thursday evening after getting cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,912, it added.

- PTI

7.45 pm | Kerala

Kerala’s daily COVID-19 infection tally touches three digits - 111; CM terms situation grim

For the first time, Kerala’s COVID-19 daily figures touched three digits with the state recording 111 cases, prompting chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to term the situation grim.

The surge in positive cases has pushed the infection count to 1,699 while 1.77 lakh people are under observation.

On May8, Kerala had declared that it had flattened the coronavirus curve after reporting a solitary case and just 16 people under treatment.

However, with more people coming to the state from abroad and other states, the cases have seen a sudden spike.

- PTI

7.30 pm | Gujarat

Gujarat reports 510 cases, tally up to 19,119

COVID-19 infection in Gujarat continues sharp rise with 510 new cases and 35 deaths, bringing its tally to 1,190 deaths and 19,119 cases. So far 13,011 patients have been discharged including 344 on Friday.

- Mahesh Langa

7.15 pm | Maharashtra

Maharashtra sees record deaths with 139, toll up to 2,849

Maharashtra recorded its highest fatality surge of 139 deaths on Friday along with another big surge of 2,436 new COVID-19 cases to take the State's total death toll to 2,849 while its total case tally breached the 80,000-mark to reach 80,229.

Of these, 42,215  cases are active.

As many as 1,475 patients were discharged today, taking the total number of discharged till date to 35,156. 

Mumbai's total case tally has now crossed the 46,000 mark to reach 46,080 with the city reporting 1,149 new cases, while it's death toll has risen to 1,519.

As many as 54 of the new deaths reported today were from Mumbai city, 30 from Thane district, 14 from Pune district and eight from Malegaon in Nashik district among other parts of the state.

According to the State Health Department, 27 of the 139 deaths had occurred in the last two days, while the remaining fatalities are from the period between April 21 and June 2.

- Shoumojit Banerjee

7.10 pm | Himachal Pradesh

6 fresh COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, total rises to 390

Six more people, including a couple and a 40-year old man who recently returned from Delhi, tested positive for coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 390, officials said.

While three fresh cases were reported from Kangra district, two were detected from Hamirpur district and one from Shimla district, Special Secretary (Health) Nipun Jindal said.

- PTI

7 pm | New Delhi

Over 11 lakh migrant workers have gone back from worst affected state of Maharashtra: SC told

The Supreme Court was informed Friday that over 11 lakh migrant workers have gone back to their native places from Maharashtra, the state worst affected by COVID-19 -- both in number of cases and casualties.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing the matter in which it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance on the plight of migrant workers who were stranded across the country due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Centre informed the apex court that around one crore migrant workers across the country have already reached their destination -- around 41 lakh by road transport and 57 lakhs by trains.

During the hearing, the advocates representing various states gave the figures of migrant workers as per which, over 11 lakh and 20.5 lakh people have gone back from Maharashtra and Gujarat respectively.

- PTI

6.55 pm | Karnataka

Karnataka registers 515 cases, tally up to 4,835

Karnataka recorded a whopping 515 cases on Friday taking the total number of positive cases to 4,835. Of the new cases, 482 are interstate passengers.

- Afshan Yasmeen

6.50 pm | New Delhi

Jamia Millia reopens offices with 50% staff, employees above 60 work from home

With relaxations in COVID-19 lockdown norms, the Jamia Millia Islamia has reopened its offices with 50% staff reporting on a rotation basis, but employees above 60 years are working from home.

The university issued a formal order on reopening on Thursday even though its offices were back in operation from June 1, when the Unlock 1 kicked in.

In the office order issued on Thursday, the university said employees who live in the coronavirus containment zones will work from home until their area is de-contained.

“No outside visitors will be allowed in any administrative building/other offices until further orders. The heads of the department/offices shall also identify and establish a central registry for receiving and dispatching Dak (posts),” it said.

- PTI

6.45 pm | New Delhi

SOPs aim to instil proper COVID-19 behaviour for resuming social, economic activities: Centre

The aim of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for religious places, shopping malls, restaurants, hotel and offices is to instil appropriate behaviour among people to contain COVID-19 transmission chain while allowing resumption of social and economic activities, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

According to the SOPs, restaurants, hotels, places of worship and offices in COVID-19 containment zones will remain closed and only those outside these areas will be allowed to open.

Cinema halls, gaming arcades and children play areas in malls outside containment zones would be barred from opening. The SOPs included measures like allowing only asymptomatic staff, guests, customers and devotees on the premises, proper crowd management and maintaining effective and frequent sanitation, with a particular focus on lavatories, drinking and handwashing stations/areas.

- PTI

6.35 pm | Malaysia

Malaysia announces $8.2 billion stimulus package

Malaysia’s government has announced a 35 billion ringgit ($8.2 billion) stimulus to bolster short-term economic recovery as the country emerges from more than two months of virus lockdown.

The package, which is in addition to a $60 billion stimulus announced earlier, centers on increasing employment, wooing foreign investment and revitalizing key sectors of the economy.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Friday it included 10 billion ringgits ($2.3 billion) in wage subsidies, training programs and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Tax breaks and rebates have been given to bolster the manufacturing, real estate auto, palm oil, airline and tourism sectors.

- PTI

6.30 pm | Tamil Nadu

1,438 new cases in Tamil Nadu, 12 deaths

1,438 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said on Friday. With this, the total number of cases rises to 28,694. 861 were discharged today and 12 deaths were registered.

- Serena Josephine

6.20 pm | New Delhi

SSB head constable dies of COVID-19; 10th death in CAPFs

A 55-year-old official of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has succumbed to COVID-19, the first death from the pandemic in the border guarding force.

Officials on Friday said the deceased was a head constable-rank official and was posted in the 25th battalion of the force based in Delhi.

The official, who was also suffering from kidney-related ailments, died of COVID-19 on Thursday, they said.

This is the first death from coronavirus in the about 80,000 personnel strong force tasked to guard the 1,751 km open Indian front with Nepal and 699 km border with Bhutan.

With this, the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) or paramilitary forces have recorded 10 deaths from the pandemic.

- PTI

6.15 pm | Europe

EU hopes to free borders of virus restrictions by end June

Europe could have its free travel zone up and running again by the end of the month, but travellers from further afield will not be allowed in before July, European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said Friday after talks among the bloc’s interior ministers. Panicked by the coronavirus outbreak in Italy in February, countries in the 26-nation Schengen area — where people and goods move freely without checks — imposed border restrictions without consulting their neighbours to try to keep the disease out. The moves caused traffic jams and blocked medical equipment.

Free movement is a jewel in Europe’s crown which helps business flourish, and many European officials feared that the very future of the Schengen area was at threat from the restrictions. These added to pressures already caused by the arrival in Europe of well over 1 million migrants in 2015.

I personally believe that we will return to a full functioning of the Schengen area and freedom of movement of citizens no later than the end of the month of June, Ms. Johansson told reporters after the video-conference meeting.

- AP

6 pm | West Bengal

COVID-19 shadow on ISKCON Rath Yatra

The COVID-19 scare has left the ISKCON in a quandary about holding its annual Ratha Yatra festival at its global headquarters at Mayapur in West Bengal and in the city.

Taking out of Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra Devi on rathas or chariots would involve the risk of contamination as a large number of devotees would flock to have a glimpse of the dieties, ISKCON spokesmen said.

The festival in which Lord Jagannath is scheduled to be held on June 23 this year.

We are yet to take a final decision. In the present situation any gathering seems impossible on Rath Yatra day, Subrata Das, the spokesperson of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Mayapur, said on Friday.

- PTI

5.30 pm| New Delhi

5 staff test COVID-19 positive; major sanitisation drive at Health Ministry on June 6-7

Five employees of the Union health ministry, including a director, an under-secretary have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days, prompting the authorities to carry out a “major and comprehensive disinfection and sanitisation” of office premises from June 6-7.

Besides two officers and a doctor, two employees who have contracted the disease are from the Centre for Health Informatics under the Health Ministry. They frequented the Nirman Bhawan building, sources said.

“Those who had come in contact with these COVID-19 infected officials have been advised to quarantine themselves. Further contract tracing is on,” a source said, adding a few more staff had tested positive earlier.

In view of these developments, the Union Health Ministry on June 4 issued a fresh office memorandum stating, “It has been decided to initiate major and comprehensive disinfection and sanitization of office premises (Nirman Bhawan) on June 6-7.”

- PTI

5.20 pm | Uttar Pradesh

UP records biggest single-day jump of 502 COVID-19 cases; tally 9,733

With 12 new deaths and 502 fresh cases in a day, the highest in 24 hours till date, the toll in Uttar Pradesh climbed to 257 and total cases to 9,733, the state health department said.

 Active cases stand at 3,828. Total recoveries 5,648.

The 502 new cases include 51 in Noida, 48 in Kanpur, 41 in Jaunpur, 19 each in Ghaziabad and Bijnor, 18 in Lucknow and 17 in Azamgarh. Toll in Agra climbs to 48, with Meerut in second place (34).

- Omar Rashid

5 pm | Nagaland

14 more test positive for COVID-19 in Nagaland; tally mounts to 94

Fourteen more people, all Chennai returnees, tested positive for COVID-19 in Nagaland, taking the state’s tally to 94, officials said on Friday.

“Fourteen new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours out of 235 samples tested. All the samples tested were from Chennai returnees,” Minister for Health and Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom tweeted.

The patients, who belong to Peren district, were under quarantine in government facilities in Dimapur since their return to the state in a Shramik Special train on May 22, State Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Nyan Kikon, said.

No death or recovery has so far been reported in the state since the first COVID-19 case was detected on May 25, sources said.

-PTI

4.50 pm | Paris

Paris police ban protest due to virus concerns

Police have banned a planned protest against police violence in Paris on Saturday because of health measures restricting gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.

A protest decrying systemic racism and calling for justice for Floyd and other victims of police brutality was planned to take place outside the U.S. Embassy.

But on Friday, Police Prefect Didier Lallement said such protests are not authorised because virus safety measures prohibit any gathering, in the public space, of more than 10 people.

He issued an order banning the Floyd demonstration and another protest planned for the same day.

- AP

4.40 pm | Andhra Pradesh

138 new COVID-19 cases in AP, tally touches 4,250

As more and more people are coming into the state from various parts of the country and abroad, Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a spurt in coronavirus cases as the total climbed to 4,250 on Friday with the addition of 138 in the last 24 hours.

Of the fresh cases, 84 came from other states and four from abroad, the latest health department bulletin said.

Two more deaths were also reported in the state, taking the tally to 73 so far.

In the state, 4,23,564 coronavirus tests were conducted so far and the positivity rate turned out to be 1%, the government said.

Of the 4,250 positive cases, 700 were from other states and 123 foreign returnees.

In all, 2,556 patients recovered and got discharged, including 258 from other states and four foreign returnees, leaving 1,621 active cases.

- PTI

4.30 pm | New Delhi

'States will decide on school reopening'

No date has been fixed for reopening schools, says Union School Education Secretary Anita Karwal. States will have to take their own decisions on this issue, and the Centre will not interfere, she added. - Priscilla Jebaraj

4.15 pm | Tamil Nadu

Five Ministers to tackle Chennai's COVID-19 spread

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday nominated five Ministers to oversee the coordination and relief work for COVID-19 that is being carried out by the Greater Chennai Corporation along with field support teams, in the 15 zones of the Corporation.

With cases spiking in the city every day over the past few days, the government nominated the five Ministers to ensure effective containment zone management, focussed testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine management to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar will be responsible for zones 3,4 and 5; Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbalagan will oversee activities in zones 13,14 and 15; Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Kamaraj will look after zones 8,9 and 10; Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R.B. Udhayakumar will be in charge of zones 1,2 and 6 and Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar will oversee zones 7, 11 and 12. - T.K. Rohit

4.00 pm | Jharkhand

Jharkhand not to allow reopening of temples

Jharkhand government has decided to continue with the closure of all religious places even as the Home Ministry allowed it.

In the fresh guidelines issued on Friday for non-containment zones, the State government has made wearing face covers or masks and social distancing mandatory in weddings and last rite rituals. Only 50 people will be allowed in wedding ceremonies and 20 in funeral services.

Large gatherings at social, political, sports, entertainment, education, culture and religious programmes would remain banned.

Asking the people to maintain a six-feet distance at public places, the guidelines said people over the age of 65 and those below ten, besides pregnant women, should remain indoors unless they have to go out for health reasons.

Spiting in public places and drinking are strictly prohibited. Having paan, gutka and tobacco products in the public are also banned. - PTI

3.50 pm | New Delhi

Don’t initiate any new schemes: FinMin to ministries

The finance ministry has asked all ministries and departments not to initiate any new scheme in the current financial year and said that there is a need to use resources prudently in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

However, funds for schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package and any other special package or announcement would be allocated, according to an office memorandum by the Department of Expenditure.

Also, schemes that are already approved for the currrent financial year will remain suspended till March 31 next year or further orders. This would also include those schemes for which in-principle approval has been given by the department.

3.30 pm | Uttar Pradesh

Ensure arrangement of sanitisers, infrared thermometers at religious places: UP CM to officials

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure that at a time only five persons are allowed at a religious place, which should also have arrangement of sanitisers, infrared thermometer and pulse oximeter.

Chairing a review meeting of ‘unlock 1’, he said before the religious places open for public, their managements should be told about all the necessary precautions that should be maintained at the venues.

3.00 pm | Maharashtra

Govt staff must report to work once a week or face pay cut

The Maharashtra government on Friday said it was mandatory for government employees to be present in office once a week during the COVID-19 lockdown, failing which they will have to face salary cut.

As per a notification issued by additional chief secretary (finance) Manoj Saunik, all government departments have been asked to prepare a roaster of officers and employees affiliated to them.

Disciplinary action will be taken by department heads against those who leave the office without permission during the lockdown. If an employee remains absent during the assigned day, he/she will lose pay for an entire week.

2.10 pm | New Delhi

SC asks private hospitals if they are ready to charge COVID-19 patients at Ayushman Bharat rate

The Supreme Court Friday asked private hospitals whether they are ready to provide treatment to COVID-19 infected patients at the charges prescribed under the government’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

A three-judge Bench headed by CJI S A Bobde said it is asking only those private hospitals which have been given land at concessional rates by the government to treat certain number of coronavirus infected patients for free.

The top court, which posted the matter two weeks from now, was hearing a plea seeking a direction for regulating the cost of treatment of COVID-19 at private hospitals across the country.

2.00 pm | Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand CM tests negative for COVID-19

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has tested negative for COVID-19, days after he went into self-quarantine following a meeting with the state tourism minister who had contracted the virus.

The chief minister and his three cabinet colleagues had gone into self-quarantine immediately after state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj, his wife and five other members of their family tested positive for the disease last week.

Mr. Rawat had chaired a meeting of the state cabinet on Friday last which was attended by Maharaj. - PTI

1.50 pm | Jammu and Kashmir

COVID-19 toll in J&K rises to 36

The death toll due to COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 36 as a woman died at a hospital in Srinagar, officials said on Friday.

The woman, a resident of Batamaloo area of the city, died at SHMS Hospital on Thursday and her samples came back positive for COVID-19. With the latest fatality, the death toll due to coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, in the union territory has gone up to 36. - PTI

1.40 pm | Puducherry

Galleries, garden to be reopened in Puducherry

The galleries and garden park at the Abdul Kalam Science Centre and Planetarium will be reopened to the public on Saturday.

However, the operation of the planetarium itself will remain suspended for the time being.

Thermal screening of visitors will be done at the entrance. Only those wearing a mask will be allowed inside, the Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, R. Smitha, said in a release.

1.30 pm | Fiji

Fiji declares itself coronavirus-free

Fiji has declared itself free of the coronavirus - at least for now - after all 18 people who tested positive have recovered.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Friday that the South Pacific island nation had just cleared the last of its active patients. - AP

1.20 pm | Mumbai

Sun Pharma initiates Phase-II clinical trial on AQCH for treatment of COVID-19 patients

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. which includes its subsidiaries and/or associate companies has commenced Phase-II clinical trial on AQCH, a phytopharmaceutical (plant-derived) drug for treatment for COVID-19.

The company had received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for conducting Phase-II clinical trial in April this year.

The clinical trial will be conducted across 12 centers in India in 210 patients, the company said in a statement.

For patients the duration of treatment will be 10 days and the results of the trial are expected by October 2020.

 

1.10 pm | Tiruchi

Social distancing gets thrown under the bus in Tiruchi

With limited number of town buses being operated in the city, there appears to be overcrowding on some routes sending social distancing for a toss.

Social distancing goes for a toss due to limited number of buses running on certain routes in Tiruchi on Thursday.

Social distancing goes for a toss due to limited number of buses running on certain routes in Tiruchi on Thursday.

 

Though buses are supposed to operate only with 60% occupancy, heavy rush could be witnessed during peak hours with passengers travelling even on foot board on certain routes. While buses operating within the city seem to have lesser crowd, those plying to the city outskirts and villages in the peripheries from where a large number of people commute for work and other purposes are often jam-packed.

 

1 pm | Karnataka

Second patient recovers after plasma therapy in Karnataka

After the success of plasma therapy on a 65-year-old male patient at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) at Hubballi, another 38-year-old female patient has recovered and shifted out of ICU in Victoria Hospital on Friday.

 

The patient was admitted in Victoria hospital ICU with a high viral load. She was diabetic with poor sugar control, doctors said.

 

12.50 pm | Rajasthan

Over 13 lakh migrants have returned to Rajasthan: official

More than 13 lakh migrants have returned to Rajasthan through Shramik special trains and buses, while over six lakh have gone to their home states from the desert state, a senior official said.

With this, the  movement of migrants   is almost over in the state, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Subodh Agarwal, said.

A total of 13.43 lakh migrants who were stuck in various States have arrived in Rajasthan from different states in buses and Shramik special trains and 6.13 lakh have reached their states from Rajasthan so far, he said.

 

12.40 pm | Tiruchi

Unlock 1 has not buoyed up small industries

But for the partial restoration of public transport services that has made travel easier and hassle free for workers, the measures envisaging revival of economy during the COVID-19 lockdown have otherwise meant precious little for the small industries in the region.

Though the current phase of reopening, christened Unlock 1, is purported to have an economic focus, small industries say there is absolutely nothing to feel happy about.

For instance, the industries are not able to deploy their full workforce since the work orders are quite limited.

 

12.30 pm | Visakhapatanam

Hotels in Vizag gear up to receive guests from June 8

Hotels in the city have begun making arrangements to receive guests once they open for business on June 8, after a prolonged gap of over two months.

“Guests can rest assured regarding safety as the staff would be provided with masks, head caps and gloves. The staff will wash their face, hands and legs after every one hour and maintain personal hygiene,” Visakha Hotel Merchants Association president C.S.N. Raju and general secretary B. Nagaraju told the media here on Thursday.

 

12.20 pm | Bengaluru

GPs, dentists resume practice, hike consultation fees

Your next trip to the dentist or even your neighbourhood general practitioner is likely to cost more. While they have been gradually opening their clinics and restarting practice for limited hours a day, many have increased consultation fees. Some stand-alone clinics in Benglauru have raised their rates by as much as 30%.

Medical professionals justify this saying they are not only more vulnerable to exposure to the coronavirus but have to invest in safety measures for their staff and patients. This includes buying face shields, gloves, masks and sanitisers. Dentists are investing in all of the above as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as they are at a higher risk of contracting the virus given the nature of their job.

 

12.10 pm | Maharashtra

Life resumes on a cautious note in Mumbai

Under the ‘Mission Begin Again’, outdoor physical activities like cycling, jogging, and walking in open public spaces like beaches and playground are allowed in Mumbai from today. These activities can only be carried out between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m., with no permission for group activity or the use of indoor facilities.

People exercise and walk along the Marine Drive after Maharashtra government announced that physical activity in open space will be allowed from May 5.

People exercise and walk along the Marine Drive after Maharashtra government announced that physical activity in open space will be allowed from May 5.

 

Maharashtra has allowed all markets, market areas and shops, except malls and market complexes, are allowed to function with the condition that shops on one side of a road or lane will open on odd dates and the other side on even dates. They can only operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

12 pm | Karnataka

Chamarajanagar only district in Karnataka to remain COVID-19 free

Even three months after SARS-CoV-2 entered Karnataka, Chamarajanagar is the only district in Karnataka to have continued to remain COVID-19 free.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar, who is the district in charge Minister for Chamarajanagar, told The Hindu that it was possible because of excellent teamwork and coordination between departments of Health and Revenue apart from the district administration. The district borders Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

 

11.50 am | Telangana

Telangana not screening passengers arriving by train

TS health officials have stopped testing domestic passengers once the railways started running more special trains from different parts of the country June 1 onwards.

TS health officials have stopped testing domestic passengers once the railways started running more special trains from different parts of the country June 1 onwards.

 

At the Secunderabad railway station, Telangana medical and health department officials used to take down details of every passenger coming through the special trains  and stamp ‘home quarantine’ on the hands.

However, the practice has been dispensed with once the railways started running more special trains from different parts of the country June 1 onwards!

“We are only screening the boarding passengers for temperature checks. There has been no sign of the TS health officials for last couple of days; so there is no surveillance of the passengers arriving here,” informed senior railway officials, on condition of anonymity.

 

11.40 am | Puducherry

Five COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Puducherry on Friday.  The active cases stand at 62. The cumulative total is 104 with 42 discharged. - Dinesh Verma

11.30 am | Karnataka

Shops in Karnataka told to check visitors for quarantine stamp

The Karnataka government has directed all shops, commercial establishments, offices, factories, religious places, hotels and other businesses to check for quarantine stamp before letting customers in.

They should not allow those with stamps to enter before the end of the quarantine period or till they get a COVID-19 negative report, said an order issued by Chief Secretary T.M. Vijay Bhaskar. Owners have to inform the police [at 100] if they find anyone entering their premises before the end of their quarantine period.

11.25 am | Delhi

20 Delhi Metro employees test COVID-19 positive

Twenty employees of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) have tested positive for COVID19, according to officials.

The affected include operation and maintenance staff, among others.

Metro officials said that 20 out of 14,500 employees is almost equivalent to the percentage of people infected in Delhi in comparison to its total population.

11.15 am | Delhi

For kin of officers who died of COVID-19, other worries pile up

Assistant SI Shesh Mani Pandey died due to COVID-19 on May 30 and on Wednesday, his wife and younger son tested positive for the virus. According to his elder son, the pitiable condition of LNJP Hospital has added to their miseries. Mr. Pandey was posted at the fingerprint bureau of the Crime Branch.

The Hindu spoke to families of three such policemen who died of COVID-19 and they shared their stories in the aftermath.

 

11 am | Odisha

130 new cases in Odisha

Odisha registered 130 COVID-19 cases on Friday, pushing its tally to 2,608. One more person dies taking the total to 10 – eight of COVID-19 and two of other ailments.

The number of active cases stand at 1,117, and recoveries at 1,481, say officials.

10.45 am | Mumbai

After 11 bank staff die, employees ask govt. for transport, insurance

With at least 11 bank employees losing their lives to COVID-19 in Mumbai and adjoining areas, bank unions have demanded transportation for staff and implementation of safety measures.

In a communication to the Ministry of Finance, the United Forum of Bank Employees (UFBU) — the umbrella body of nine bank unions — said most bank employees working in branches in Mumbai live in the suburbs, and many commute from beyond city limits.

 

10.30 am | Odisha

Bhubaneswar BJP MP fined ₹300 for violating norms

Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament from Bhubaneswar Aparajita Sarangi was slapped a fine of ₹300 on Thursday for violating social distancing norm and not wearing a mask in public.

 

The city police collected the fine (₹100 for violation of social distancing rule and ₹200 for not wearing mask) from Ms. Sarangi and 20 other BJP members for violating the COVID-19 -19 rules, a senior police officer said.

10 am | India

India's COVID-19 tally reaches 2.26 lakh with record spike of 9,851 cases

India saw a record single-day jump of 9,851 coronavirus cases and 273 deaths on Friday, pushing the nationwide infection tally to 2,26,770 and the death toll to 6,348, according to the Union health ministry.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 1,10,960, while 1,09,461 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said.

“Thus, around 48.27% patients have recovered so far,” a senior health ministry official said. - PTI

9.30 am | World

Authors pull controversial Lancet study flagging hydroxychloroquine risks

The Lancet  on Thursday retracted  a study that raised safety fears over the use  of a drug favoured by President Donald Trump to treat COVID-19, after the paper's authors said they could no longer vouch for its underlying data.

 

It was soon followed by the withdrawal of another coronavirus paper in the  New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)  that was not linked to hydroxychloroquine but relied upon the same healthcare company's patient database.

The unfolding research scandal threatens to undermine confidence in two of the world's top medical journals in the midst of a pandemic.

 

9 am | Brazil

Brazil’s official coronavirus death toll passes Italy

Brazil's total COVID-19 death toll blew past that of Italy on Thursday, as the Health Ministry reported 1,437 deaths in the last 24 hours and 30,925 additional coronavirus cases.

8.30 am | USA

Novavax gets U.S. defense funding for its COVID-19 vaccine

Novavax Inc said on Thursday the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will give the late-stage biotech company up to $60 million to fund the manufacturing of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S.-based company said the deal includes the delivery of 10 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine - NVX-CoV2373 - to the DoD this year.

The announcement of Novavax's vaccine trial came last month as drugmakers pause clinical trials on drugs for other ailments to focus on COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus that has resulted in more than 386,379 deaths globally.

 

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