Coronavirus India lockdown Day 77 updates | June 9, 2020

India is better positioned in the fight against COVID-19 compared to other nations,”but there is no space for complacency”, says Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

June 09, 2020 08:53 am | Updated 11:37 pm IST

Devotees maintain physical distance while paying obeisance at Hanumanswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning.

Devotees maintain physical distance while paying obeisance at Hanumanswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning.

The death toll due to the coronavirus infection rose to 7,466 and the cases mounted to 2,66,598 in the country. A total of 266 new COVID-19 fatalities and 9,987 cases were reported in the 24 hours that ended at 8 a.m. IST on June 9, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Several States like Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Haryana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Tripura have been showing a spurt in cases. India is the fifth worst-hit nation by the COVID-19 pandemic after the U.S., Brazil, Russia and the UK, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

High-level central teams have been deployed in 15 States and Union Territories (UTs) with more than 50 districts or municipal bodies witnessing high case load and high spurt of cases, the Union Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said India is better positioned in the fight against COVID-19 compared to other nations,”but there is no space for complacency”.

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:

Madhya Pradesh | 10.30 p.m.

Madhya Pradesh records 211 new cases, six more deaths

Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday (June 9) recorded 211 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 9,849. The number of active cases stands at 2,700.

Six deaths owing to the illness were reported on the day. Two patients died in Indore, while Bhopal, Burhanpur, Jabalpur and Shajapur reported one death each. The State-wide death toll climbed to 420. As for recoveries, 193 patients were discharged from hospitals on the day. So far, 6,729 persons have been cured of the illness, says the State Directorate of Health Services

- Sidharth Yadav

Uttar Pradesh | 10 p.m.

18 deaths recorded in U.P.

With 18 new deaths the toll in UP rises to 301, the State Health Department said. Total cases rise to 11,335 with 389 fresh cases. Active cases stand at 4,365 while recoveries are 6,669.

- Omar Rashid

Gujarat | 9.45 p.m.

High Court issues notices to Gujarat govt., ICMR over COVID-19 testing

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the state government and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on a plea challenging a health department circular regarding revised COVID-19 testing policy.

The plea, moved by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Gujarat unit, has challenged the government’s circular on COVID-19 testing policy in the state.

The IMA petition has also sought the court’s direction to allow asymptomatic health workers to get tested for coronavirus without prior approval of authorities as required under the circular issued by the health department on June 2.

New Delhi | 9.25 p.m.

NHRC may consider framing guidelines to protect bonded labourers during COVID-19 pandemic: SC

The Supreme Court Tuesday said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) may consider framing guidelines for protection and rehabilitation of bonded labourers, especially during the prevailing situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Krishna Murari was hearing through video-conferencing a plea which has alleged that authorities concerned in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have failed to take prompt action to help 187 victims of bonded labour who are working in brick kilns in these states.

The bench, which disposed of the plea, observed that NHRC had already passed directions on the issue and asked the petitioner to approach the commission for further directions.

“The NHRC may consider issuing guidelines for protection and rehabilitation of bonded labourers,” the bench observed.

New Delhi | 9.00 p.m.

PM Modi discusses COVID-19 pandemic with Philippines President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed the COVID-19 pandemic with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and assured that India’s well-established capacity for manufacturing affordable pharmaceutical products would continue to be deployed for the benefit of the entire humanity. The leaders also discussed the steps being taken by the two governments to address the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official statement said.

The Philippines President appreciated the steps taken by India to maintain supply of essential pharmaceutical products to his country, it said.

Gujarat | 8.45 p.m

Two private hospitals fined for COVID-19 treatment violations in Gujarat

Two private hospitals, designated for COVID-19 treatment, were fined Rs 5 lakh each for turning away infected persons and charging fees from patients sent by the civic body in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city, an official said on Tuesday.

In a release issued on Tuesday, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation said it had slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh each on Artham Hospital in Ambawadi area and Bodyline Hospital in Paldi under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

The hospitals will lose their registration if they fail to deposit the sum within seven days, it said.

Punjab | 8.25 p.m

56 more test positive, Punjab’s COVID-19 tally crosses 2,700

Fifty-six more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Punjab, pushing the virus count to 2,719 in the state, officials said on Tuesday.

Among fresh cases, 20 were reported in Amritsar, which is leading the coronavirus tally in the state.

Fifteen new cases reported in Ludhiana; five each in Mohali, Sangrur and Jalandhar; three in Pathankot; and one each in Patiala, Tarn Taran and Rupnagar, according to a state government’s medical bulletin.

Odisha | 8.10 p.m

Doctors test positive in Odisha

Four doctors of AIIMS Bhubaneswar were tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Three were in home quarantine in their apartment since June 3, while the fourth doctor was living outside, according to the Director.

New Delhi | 7.55 p.m

CRPF, BSF open hospitals nationwide for COVID-19 treatment of veterans, families of slain soldiers

All Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and BSF healthcare centres in the country will be open for COVID-19 treatment of their veterans and families of troops who laid down their lives in the line of duty, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

The move by the two paramilitary forces comes in the backdrop of a similar recent decision announced by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

The CRPF has a chain of 19 healthcare hospitals in the country and as per an order issued by its headquarters here, all its retired personnel, their dependents and families of troops who were killed in the line of duty “will be provided initial care, advice and nursing care” for coronavirus.

New Delhi | 7.35 p.m

Delhi govt. panel suggests using several stadiums as makeshift COVID facilities

A Delhi government panel has suggested using Pragati Maidan, Talkatora Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and JLN Stadium as makeshift COVID-19 facility to deal with the surge in number of cases, an official said Tuesday.

The official said that the panel, constituted by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, has also suggested using Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium and Dhyanchand National Stadium for the purpose.

Andhra Pradesh | 7.30 p.m

AP COVID-19 count surges past 5,000 mark with 216 fresh cases

With the addition of 216 fresh cases, the COVID-19 tally crossed the 5000-mark in Andhra Pradesh to reach 5,029 on Tuesday, while the death toll increased by two to 77.

The numbers released by the state Covid Command Control Centre indicate that while local cases have been sharply rising, those coming from other states too are carrying the infection on a massive scale.

West Bengal | 7.15 p.m

Senior officer of CBI’s Kolkata unit tests positive for COVID-19

A senior officer of the CBI in the Kolkata unit tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Tuesday.

The officer, who is in a supervisory role looking after anti-corruption cases of the CBI’s Kolkata unit has become first such case among senior officers of the probe agency, they said.

Sources in the agency said all possible medical help has been extended to the family.

Dubai | 6.55 p.m

ICC approves COVID-19 replacements in Tests

The ICC on Tuesday approved substitution in case a player shows symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match besides ratifying the interim ban on using saliva to shine the ball.

In its latest playing regulations, the world body also allowed re-introduction of non-neutral umpires for bilateral series owing to “logistical challenges with international travel” amid the pandemic.

“Teams will be allowed to replace players displaying symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match. In line with concussion replacements, the Match Referee will approve the nearest like-for-like replacement,” said the ICC in a statement.

New Delhi | 6.35 p.m

Kejriwal tests negative for coronavirus

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been suffering from fever and sore throat, was tested negative for COVID-19 on Tuesday evening, according to AAP sources.  

Mr. Kejriwal’s sample was collected for the test on Tuesday morning and the result came out in the evening. 

He had developed a fever and sore throat on Sunday afternoon and has not been meeting people since then and was under home isolation.

“His fever has reduced from last night, but he still has a cough,” the AAP source said.

-Nikhil M. Babu

New Delhi | 6.00 p.m.

74% claimants during lockdown “low-wage earners”, says EPFO

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Tuesday said over 74% claimants during the lockdown were “low wage earners”, that is those who earn less than ₹15,000 a month.

“Despite the lockdown restrictions, the EPFO settled a staggering 36.02 lakh claims thereby disbursing ₹11,540 crore to its members during April and May. Of this, 15.54 lakh claims, disbursing ₹4,580 crore, were related to the recently introduced COVID-19 advance under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana,” it said in a statement.

It said the special withdrawal scheme related to the pandemic had helped members with incomes less than ₹15,000. Under the scheme, members can withdraw up to three months’ basic wages plus dearness allowance or 75% of the amount in their EPF account, whichever is less.

 

New Delhi | 5.40 p.m.

FHRAI issues guidebook for hotels, restaurants

Apex industry body FHRAI on Tuesday said it has issued a guidebook listing all measures to be taken by hotels and restaurants to ensure prevention of COVID-19.

The comprehensive guidebook covers all functions of hotels and restaurants that are essential to everyday operations. From guest rooms and room service to housekeeping to laundry care, the manual provides step-by-step instructions on best practices, FHRAI said in a statement.

The 44-page manual has detailed instructions on training of staff on food handling, deliveries & takeaways, food transportation and distribution, it added.

Maharashtra | 5.30 p.m.

SC asks Maharashtra to make concerted efforts on migrant workers

The Supreme Court Tuesday asked worst Covid-19 affected state Maharashtra to be more vigilant and make concerted effort in identifying and sending the migrant workers still stranded there to their native places.

The top court, which directed all states and Union Territories to transport all stranded workers by train, bus or other mode within 15 days, said there were “huge lapses” by the Maharashtra authorities in dealing with the issue and asked the government there to announce suitable place for their registration.

Delhi | 5.15 p.m.

Delhi LG calls all-party meeting to discuss COVID-19 situation

Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has called an all-party meeting later in the day to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the city and measures to contain the spread of the dreaded virus.

The meeting will be held after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority’s high-level meet to assess whether coronavirus has entered the community spread stage in the national capital.

Rajasthan  | 5.00 p.m.

Rajasthan government sets target of 40,000 COVID tests daily

The Rajasthan government has set a target of carrying out 40,000 COVID-19 tests daily as against the present capacity of 25,000 tests per day, Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Tuesday.

The State health department had initially set a target of conducting 25,000 tests daily, which was achieved on Monday. Now the next target is to conduct 40,000 tests per day, he said.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, the entire focus of the government is on testing, he said.

Mr. Sharma said so far 40 lakh tests have been done in the country, out of which 5,18,350 investigations have been done so far in Rajasthan.

 

Mumbai  | 4.40 p.m.

Amid pandemic, new-born makes 380 km journey for heart surgery

Rohit Chavan is only two and a half months old, but he has already survived a ten-hour journey by road from Sangli in western Maharashtra to Mumbai amid lockdown, and then an open heart surgery.

Now he is back in his village. It became possible because of coordinated efforts of doctors in the two cities and the Sangli district administration.

“He had transposition of great arteries, which meant the two main arteries were reversely connected with the heart chambers, resulting into the body getting low oxygenated blood,” said Dr. Laxmikant Magdum, medical officer of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Mission for Sangli district.

Delhi | 4.20 pm

DCP in Delhi police resumes duty after recovering from COVID-19

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) in Delhi Police Monika Bhardwaj, who had tested positive for coronavirus last month, joined office on Tuesday after recovering from the infection.

She was welcomed back to work with garlands by her subordinates, who also clapped and showered flower petals on her.

“I thank everyone for the prayers and good wishes. I have joined back today. Thankyou,” she tweeted.

Daman | 4.15 pm

Coronavirus reaches Daman, two positive cases detected

Two persons on Tuesday tested positive for coronavirus in the Union Territory of Daman, which was till now in green zone.

The two patients, a 41-year-old man and a four-year- old girl, both of whom arrived here from Mumbai recently, were shifted to a hospital in Marwad area of Daman, District Collector Rakesh Minhas said.

Himachal Pradesh | 4.10 pm

HP police headquarters sealed

Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu and about 30 other police officials home-quarantined themselves on Tuesday, while the state police headquarters was sealed as a man who had met the police chief died of coronavirus, an official said.

A man had visited the police headquarters to convey his best wishes to the DGP on his day of joining on June 1, police spokesperson Khushal Sharma said.

It was learnt that the man tested COVID-19 positive on Monday and died of the disease on Tuesday in Delhi, Sharma said.

Following the news, the DGP and about 30 other police officials, who might have come in contact with the man, home-quarantined themselves as per the protocol, the spokesperson said. - PTI

Delhi | 3.50 pm

Jyotiraditya Scindia tests positive for COVID-19, admitted in Max Hospital

BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted to Max Hospital, Saket on Monday, sources told PTI.

Recently, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra was admitted to a Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Uttarakhand | 3.20 pm

Chardham yatra not to start till Jun 30

The chardham yatra will not be started till June 30.

The Devasthanam Board took the decision on Monday, its CEO Ravinath Raman said.

The priests, stakeholders and hak-hakookdharis of the four Himalayan temples -- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri -- also known as “chardham”, had urged the authorities not to start the pilgrimage till June 30 in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

The four temples in the Garhwal Himalayas are open but devotees are not being allowed to visit them.

Karnataka | 3.00 pm

Person from Mumbai tests positive in Chamarajanagar

A resident of Mumbai who had come to a village in Chamarajanagar has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under quarantine putting a question mark on district’s green status.       

This is the first case being reported from the district which had the rare distinction  of not a single COVID-19 positive case ever since the epidemic broke out. - R. Krishna Kumar

United Nations | 2.50 pm

WHO chief warns virus is worsening globally

The head of the World Health Organization warned that the coronavirus pandemic is worsening globally, even as the situation in Europe is improving.

At a press briefing on Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that about 75% of cases reported to the U.N. health agency on Sunday came from 10 countries in the Americas and South Asia.

Mr. Tedros said most countries in Africa are still seeing an increase in cases, including in new geographic areas even though most countries on the continent have fewer than 1,000 cases.

At the same time, we’re encouraged that several countries around the world are seeing positive signs, Mr. Tedros said. In these countries, the biggest threat now is complacency. - AP

New Delhi | 2.30 pm

Central teams deployed to over 50 municipal bodies facing high COVID-19 case load

High level multi-disciplinary Central teams have been deployed by the Health Ministry to 15 States/UTs with more than 50 districts/municipal bodies that are witnessing high case load and high spurt of cases to assist the State Governments by providing technical support for containment and facilitate management of COVID-19 outbreak.

These States/UTs  include — Maharashtra (7 districts/municipalities), Telangana (4), Tamil Nadu (7), Rajasthan (5), Assam (6), Haryana (4), Gujarat (3), Karnataka (4), Uttarakhand (3), Madhya Pradesh (5), West Bengal(3), Delhi (3), Bihar (4), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Odisha (5).

“The three-member teams are composed of two public health experts/epidemiologists/clinicians and a senior Joint Secretary level nodal officer for administrative handholding and improving governance,” noted a release issued by the Ministry.

This was announced after the 16th Group of Ministers meeting, held on Tuesday, headed by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardan. - Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Delhi | 2.10 pm

Anil Baijal chairs DDMA meet

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday chaired a crucial meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain to chart the way forward regarding the city’s strategy to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Baijal took to Twitter to state that he had advised “timely action” regarding the ramping up of physical infrastructure and human resource-related requirements “considering possible scenarios.”

The L-G stated he had also given directions for thorough contact tracing of affected persons and testing as per ICMR guidelines for COVID-19 “without any deviation.” - Jatin Anand

Delhi | 1.50 pm

Source of infection not known in nearly half of new cases reported in Delhi: Jain

As coronavirus cases continue to mount in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said the source of infection is “not known” in nearly half of the fresh cases being reported.

When asked if Delhi has reached community transmission level as far as coronavirus infection is concerned, he said declaration on this is made by the Centre.

“Epidemiologically, community transmission is third stage of the infection... In Delhi, of the new cases being reported, nearly half of the cases, the source of infection is not known,” he said.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said officials from the Centre have said that there is no community transmission of coronavirus in Delhi. - PTI

Maharashtra | 1.10 pm

BMC allows educational institutions to open for non-teaching purposes

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Tuesday allowed shops to remain open for full working hours. The earlier order had allowed shops to remain open only from 9am to 5pm.

Also, BMC amended its earlier order prohibiting reopening of educational institutions by giving relaxation to staff of educational institutions. They can operate only for non-teaching purposes including development of e-content, evaluation of answer sheets and declaration of results.

Inter-state and inter-district movement shall continue to be regulated. - Tanvi Deshpande

Tamil Nadu | 12.30 pm

TN cancels Class 10 board exams

Tamil Nadu government has cancelled Class X board examinations scheduled to be held from June 15. All students will be declared as passed, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said.

The pending examinations for Class XII also stands deferred and the dates will be announced later.

 

Kerala | 12.30 pm

Places of worship open in Kerala

Malls, restaurants and places of worship opened in Kerala after two-and-a-half-months.

Devotees wearing masks were seen standing adhering to the social distance norm. The names, age and other details of the worshippers are also being collected by the temple authorities before letting people in.

Those above 65 and children below 10 years would not be allowed in places of worship, distribution of food, refreshments and offertory blessings (prasadams), sandalwood paste or ashes should be avoided.

Thermal scanners to check body temperatures, sanitiisers, arrangements for washing hands, were all provided in the temples and other places of worship which opened this morning.

There were very few visitors in the malls and restaurants in the early hours and people preferred takeaways in eateries. - PTI

Andhra Pradesh | 12.15 pm

No hugging or shaking hands in hotels

No hugging and shaking hands should be allowed and a distance of 6 feet should be ensured at all hotels. All the guests should have Aarogya Setu app on their mobiles.

These were part of COVID-19 guidelines for Tourism Sector issued by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department.

The guidelines, which run into more than 20 pages, are related to employees’ hygiene and safety, protocol for handling suspected and positive cases, check-in protocols and etc. There are instructions for what should be done if a guest sneezes or coughs at check-in time. Instructions for cleaning room and common areas and garbage disposal have also been included. - G Venkataramana Rao

Delhi | 12.05 pm

Kejriwal undergoes COVID-19 test

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday underwent COVID-19 test after developing sore throat and fever. The test report is expected later in the night or by Wednesday morning.

He had gone into self-quarantine after developing mild fever and sore throat, and not been attending any meeting since Sunday afternoon. - PTI

 

Rajasthan | 11.50 am

Rajasthan's COVID-19 tally breaches 11,000-mark

The coronavirus death toll in Rajasthan reached 251 on Tuesday, while the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state crossed the 11,000-mark after 144 more people tested positive for the pathogen.

Five more deaths due to coronavirus were recorded in the state.

Jaipur has reported a maximum of 2,321 coronavirus cases and 117 deaths followed by Jodhpur which recorded 1,887 cases and 24 deaths.

Delhi | 11.40 am

Disinvestment secretary tests COVID-19 positive

Disinvestment secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under home quarantine, according to sources. Pandey got himself tested for COVID-19 after developing mild fever and was found to be infected by coronavirus.

Following this, joint secretaries in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) have gone into home quarantine, sources said.

The department, which is in the CGO complex, has been sealed for sanitisation. - PTI

West Bengal | 11.35 am

11 Kolkata Police personnel test positive for COVID-19

As many as 11 Kolkata Police personnel have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of infected policemen in the force to 217.

“At the moment we have around 217 policemen who have been diagnosed with the disease. We have several of our colleagues who have recovered and resumed duty... I think our colleagues are doing a fabulous job. I wish everyone will be safe and all those down with the disease will get well soon,” an IPS officer said.

Earlier, 17 police personnel of the Garfa Police Station in the city had tested positive for COVID-19.

Andhra Pradesh | 11.25 am

In Andhra temples, Aadhaar mandatory to seek divine blessings

Priests performing puja at Arasavalli Sun God temple on Monday.

Priests performing puja at Arasavalli Sun God temple on Monday.

 

Many temple authorities adopted stringent measures for devotees who came for a darshan on Tuesday, when the temples reopened

The Arasavalli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple authorities allowed devotees only after verification of Aadhaar cards.

The COVID-19 protocol was observed in other major temples including Srikurmam, Srimukha Lingam, Narayana Tirumala, Shiva Balaji temple.

In Vizianagaram, major temples such as Sri Pyditalli Ammavari temple, Astalakshmi temple, Sri Kanyakaparameswari Temple, Ramanarayanam and others wore festive look with the flower decoration. Although the temple authorities were performing regular pujas in the last two and half months, devotees were not allowed.

Sri Kanyakaparameswari temple chairman and trustee of Ramanarayanam temple Narayanam Srinivas urged the devotees not to violate social distancing norms and not to do pradakshanam for the time-being.

Supreme Court | 11.10 am

SC directs Centre, states to send migrant workers to their native places within 15 days

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Centre and state governments to send all the migrant workers to their native places within 15 days and formulate employment schemes after conducting their skill mapping to rehabilitate them.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah also directed the Centre to provide additional trains within 24 hours of states making the demand for sending the migrant workers back to their native places.

The top court also directed authorities to consider withdrawing all cases against migrant workers for alleged violation of lockdown norms under the Disaster Management Act.

 

Kerala | 11.10 am

Churches in Kerala not to open for now

Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar Joseph Mar Thoma said its churches would not be opened in haste from Tuesday. The Church would continue with the online worship system until the crisis eased.

Meanwhile, the Jacobite Syrian Church on Monday decided to open its churches under the dioceses of Kollam and Niranom for liturgical services only after June 30.

Kerala | 11.00 am

Temples under TDB to reopen today

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has made elaborate arrangements at its temples to ensure physical distancing and compliance of various other lockdown guidelines when the temples will be thrown open to devotees after a long gap of 77 days on Tuesday.

Spots have been marked on the floor for the devotees to wait in queue, keeping definite physical distance, there by avoiding contact.

The practice of distributing ‘theerthom’ (holy water) and kalabhom (sandal paste) too would be discontinued with as per the directives issued by the State government.

Karnataka | 10.45 am

Karnataka tweaks quarantine rules again

The State government has again tweaked quarantine norms for passengers coming from Maharashtra. Now asymptomatic passengers coming from Maharashtra will have to undergo seven days institutional quarantine followed by seven days home quarantine. Home quarantine period was till now 14 days.

The norms also offer relaxation to business travellers coming from other states to Karnataka for a short duration. The order issued on Monday states that if a business traveller is coming for 48 hours, he is exempted from COVID-19 test and quarantine but will have to wear mask, use hand sanitisers and follow other etiquette.

 

Delhi | 10.30 am

All-party meeting in Delhi

Delhi's Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal has called for an all-party meeting at 3 pm on Tuesday to discuss the present situation of COVID-19 in Delhi and measures to contain the spread of the same.

Mr. Baijal, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, on Monday overruled the Aam Aadmi Party government’s decision to restrict COVID-19 treatment and admission at both private and State-run city hospitals to those bearing documented proof of residence in Delhi.

In another order, the L-G directed that guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research regarding testing of contacts of patients be followed “without any deviation”, effectively overturning the AAP government’s order for COVID-19 test only for symptomatic patients.

-Jatin Anand

Kerala | 10.20 am

Antibody tests to ascertain community spread

Kerala has launched extensive COVID-19 rapid antibody testing across districts on Monday, with a plan to do at least 15,000 tests a week amongst priority groups like health workers in hospitals, those in home quarantine and vulnerable populations such as those with high social exposure, to check if silent disease transmission is happening in the community.

Kasaragod District Medical Officer A.V. Ramdas said health workers, policemen, public relations officials, government employees, migrant workers, truck drivers, people with recent travel history, those in home quarantine and government centres, people above 60 years of age, and those diagnosed with lung diseases would be tested.

Besides police personnel, Accredited Social Health Activists, anganwadi staffers, journalists, food suppliers, shopkeepers, volunteers, and those who have come into contact with truck drivers will be examined.

9.45 am

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 7 million, death toll about 4,05,000

More than 7.09 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 405,611 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

- Reuters

7.30 am

South Korea reports 38 new cases

South Korea has reported 38 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death, bringing national totals to 11,852 infections and 274 virus-related fatalities.

USA

New York City begins reopening as infection rate plummets

Exactly 100 days after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in New York City, some workers began returning to jobs on Monday at the start of reopening from a citywide shutdown to battle the epidemic that killed nearly 22,000 of its residents.

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