Coronavirus India lockdown Day 59 updates | May 22, 2020

India records highest surge in a day with more than 6,500 cases.

May 22, 2020 08:42 am | Updated May 23, 2020 08:24 am IST

A barber wearing personal protective equipment giving a customer a haircut in Bengaluru on Thursday.

A barber wearing personal protective equipment giving a customer a haircut in Bengaluru on Thursday.

With 2,940 cases recorded by Maharashtra alone, Friday marked yet another new high in daily COVID-19 cases.

Data from State health departments show that with the addition of 6,510 cases, there have been a total 1,24,525 confirmed cases with 69,140 active infections and 51,666 recoveries country-wide. Fatalities increased by 148, to take the total death toll to 3,720.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, taking charge as the chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO) executive board on Friday, said in a release: “Today we have a mortality of 3% only. In a country of 1.35 billion, there are only 0.1 million COVID-19 cases. The recovery rate is above 40% and doubling rate is 13 days. I am aware that I am entering this office at a time of global crisis on account of this pandemic. We all understand that there will be many health challenges in the future and all these challenges demand a shared response.”

V.K. Paul, chairman of Empowered Group-1, set up to tackle the COVID-19 threat, said at a press conference: “Because of the lockdown, India has been able to limit the virus in a manner where 80% of active cases are in just five States (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh). More than 60% cases are in five cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and the spread of COVID-19 infection has remained limited to certain areas. This also gives confidence to open up other areas. It is so far an urban disease.”

The Hindu has brought out a multi-language e-book on essential COVID-19 information, in addition to covering the developments related to the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolded. Here is a collection of our daily cartoons on COVID-19 .

Here are answers from experts on your queries about the virus, a list of State Helpline numbers , a State-wise tracker for COVID-19 cases, deaths and testing, and a map of confirmed cases in India.

Here are the latest updates:

11.00 pm | Bihar

61 more test positive in Bihar

With 61 more COVID-19 positive cases the total number of virus infected persons in Bihar is at 2,166. Friday's cases were reported from Khagaria, Begusarai Gaya, Buxar, Khagaria, Munger and other districts.— Amarnath Tewary

9.40 p.m. | Rajasthan

Two deaths - one each in Kota and Pali - take the COVID-19 related mortality figures in Rajasthan to 153. A total of 267 new COVID-19 positive cases were detected in the State today, taking the tally to 6,494. Of the total number of patients, 3,680 have recovered and 3,205 have been discharged. As of now, the State has 2,661 active cases: Medical & Health Department.

- Mohammed Iqbal

9.35 p.m. | Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh on Friday recorded 189 new COVID-19 cases, taking the count to 6,170. Two deaths were reported during the day from Indore and the death toll has climbed to 272. As for recoveries, 246 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day. So far, 3,089 persons have been cured of the illness, says the State Directorate of Health Services.       

 - Sidharth Yadav

9.15 p.m.| Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh death toll touches 152, while total cases rise to 5,735 and active cases stand at 2,259. 1,361 migrant workers who returned to the State have tested positive so far, while 48,654 samples have been collected and 6.5 lakh migrant workers put under surveillance. Death toll in Agra rises to 33. Over the past 24 hours, Uttar Pradesh recorded 232 cases, including 43 in Jaunpur, 17 in Budaun and 14 in Mirzapur.

- Omar Rashid

8.52 p.m. | India

NDRF reports first COVID-19 case; 43 fresh infections in CAPFs

An official of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been found positive for coronavirus, the first such case being detected in the federal contingency force, officials said on Friday. They said the sub-inspector rank official was on leave and had gone to a doctor for some dental treatment, following which his COVID-19 test was done.

The NDRF official has been admitted to an isolation ward in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) Referral Hospital in Greater Noida on Thursday.

 

8.40 p.m. | Haryana

Gurgaon reports one more death; 37 new cases take Haryana tally to 1,067

A COVID-19 positive patient died in Gurgaon on Friday, taking the number of fatalities in Haryana to 16 as 37 new coronavirus cases surfaced in the State, officials said. The total number of cases reported in the State has reached 1,067, a Health Department bulletin said. Of the fresh cases, 11 were reported in Gurgaon, 10 in Mahendragarh, four in Faridabad, five in Kurukshetra, two each in Karnal and Rewari, and one case each was detected in Sonipat, Rohtak and Sirsa districts, it said.

This was the second death due to COVID-19 reported in the Gurgaon in two days. The district has 250 coronavirus cases, 116 of which are active. There are 345 active cases in the State, while 706 patients have recovered, the bulletin stated. Haryana has a recovery rate of 66.17% and a fatality rate at 1.50%, while number of tests per million being conducted is 3,594, it added. - PTI

8.30 p.m. | Maharashtra

COVID-19 patient walks to hospital as ambulance ‘unavailable’

A COVID-19 patient had to walk for about 7km to reach a civic-run hospital at Dombivli in Thane district from his home after he was told by the staff that there was no ambulance available to transport him, a senior official said on Friday. The incident took place on Thursday and a purported video of the man walking to the hospital went viral on social media, the official said.

Commissioner of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), Dr. Vijay Suryavanshi, said that he has taken cognisance of the incident and ordered an inquiry into it. In a video message, Mr. Suryavanshi said, “The person works at a leading hospital in Mumbai. He had got himself tested for COVID-19. After he came to know that he was coronavirus positive, he called up the Shashtri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli for an ambulance yesterday. However, the hospital staff told him that ambulance was not available. Thereafter, the patient decided to walk to the hospital from his home to get himself admitted.”

The Commissioner said that 33 ambulances have been pressed into service by the civic body at present. “I have ordered the officials to inquire into what actually happened in this case and appropriate action would be taken. The patient should not have walked to the hospital. He should have waited for the ambulance. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, he said. “Prior to this, there was never a complaint of non- availability of ambulance and all our staffers are always alert in dealing with coronavirus cases,” Mr.  Suryavanshi said. - PTI

8,15 p.m. | Gujarat

COVID-19 figures from Gujarat | New cases: 363; new deaths: 29; new recovery: 392; total cases: 13,273; total deaths: 802 and total recovery: 5,880.

8.10 p.m. | Maharashtra

53 new coronavirus cases in Dharavi, one death

The number of coronavirus cases in the Dharavi area of Mumbai increased to 1,478 as 53 new patients were found on Friday, while death toll reached 57 with one more person dying, a civic official said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said that 15 positive cases which included a nine years old girl were found in Matunga Labour Camp within Dharavi since Thursday evening. Dharavi, known as the largest slum sprawl of Asia, has a population of over 6.5 lakh living in an area spread over 2.5 sqkm. - PTI

8.05 p.m. | New Delhi

NDMC doctor tests COVID-19 positive, dispensary sealed

A doctor at a New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) dispensary tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, following which the premises of the health facility was sealed, officials said. “A senior doctor at the NDMC HQ - Palika Kendra Dispensary took a COVID-19 test and was found positive today. She lives in the NDMC area and has been put under home quarantine with family members, a senior NDMC official said.

As per protocol, contact-tracing is going on and the dispensary has been sealed, the official said. Twenty people are employed with the dispensary, including five doctors. The doctor is the third NDMC employee, to test positive for the diseases. Earlier, a sanitation worker and an engineer had tested positive. - PTI

8 p.m. | Assam

Assam COVID-19 count: Twenty fresh cases reported on Friday, taking the total number of positive cases to 230; active cases - 169, discharged - 54, died - 4 and migrated to other States - 3.

- Rahul Karmakar

7.55 p.m. | New Delhi

6 new COVID-19 containment zones declared in southwest Delhi

Six new COVID-19 containment zones were declared in Dwarka and Kapashera area of southwest Delhi, the district administration said on Friday. The containment orders were issued on May 21 after around 39 cases of coronavirus were reported in parts of southwest Delhi, including Vikaspuri, Kanganheri village, Palam Colony and Sadh Nagar.

The announcement comes two days after the Health Department asked all district magistrates to create such zones in their respective areas as per the existing guidelines. The Department’s direction was prompted by a mismatch between the number of coronavirus cases and that of the containment zones in Delhi.

While coronavirus cases in the city have been rising, the number of containment zones has gone down. According to a list shared by the Delhi government on Friday, there were 79 containment zones in the national capital. An official in the southwest district administration said the ‘cluster containment strategy’ will contain the virus within a defined geographical area by early detection of cases, breaking the chain of transmission and preventing its spread to new areas.

He said the sub-divisional magistrates concerned in coordination with the police and medical authorities will keep a buffer zone around the containment zone. Medical authorities will take samples of owners and persons working at grocery and medical stores for COVID-19 test, the official added.

The coronavirus death toll in Delhi has mounted to 208, while 660 fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported on Friday in the biggest single-day spike. The total number of cases in the city now stands at 12,319. As many as 5,897 patients in Delhi were discharged or migrated so far, while there are 6,214 active cases, the Delhi Health Department said. - PTI

7.45 p.m. | Goa

Nine COVID-19 patients recover in Goa, two new cases found

Nine coronavirus patients, detected in a fresh spurt of cases in Goa this month, recovered on Friday while two new patients were found, a senior official said. Thus the total number of cases went up to 54 but that of active cases came down to 38, State Health Secretary Nila Mohanan said.

Nine patients admitted to ESI Hospital, a specially designated facility to treat COVID-19, recovered and were discharged during the day. Earlier, seven patients had recovered before May 1 after which the State was briefly categorised as a green zone.

A man and a woman who recently arrived in Goa separately tested positive for virus on Friday. Goa’s coronavirus figures are: Positive cases: 54; new cases: two; deaths: zero; discharged:16; active cases: 38; people tested so far: 11,362. - PTI

7.30 p.m. | Maharashtra

Maharashtra reports highest single day surge

Maharashtra posted its highest single day surge till date with the State reporting 2,940 new COVID-19 cases on Friday as the cumulative tally crossed the 44,000 - mark, rises to 44,582. Sixty three new deaths were reported today, taking the total number of fatalities to 1,517. As many as 857 patients were discharged today, taking the total number of discharged till date to 12,583. Mumbai's case tally has now crossed the 27,000 mark to reach 27,251 cases, while it's death toll stood at 909. As many as 27 of the new deaths reported today were from Mumbai city, nine from Pune district, eight from Jalgaon and five from Solapur among other parts of the State.

7.15 pm | Karnataka

COVID-19-weary passengers shy away from travel as intra-state train services resume

Intra-State passenger train services resumed in the country on Friday to a lacklustre response, nearly two months after being suspended due to the national lockdown, as COVID-19-weary people shied away from travel, reflecting lingering fears about spread of the virus.

South Western Railway operated three trains — two between the city and Mysuru and one to Belagavi — in Karnataka but the coaches were near empty, a far cry from pre-COVID era when seats used to get fully booked most of the times.

Against the capacity of 1,415 passengers in the Mysuru- bound train with 14 chair cars and two luggage-cum-brake vans, only 37 reserved passengers boarded from Bengaluru and 63 passengers arrived at the destination.

6.30 pm | Mumbai

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has allowed home delivery of alcohol in Mumbai barring containment zones. Over the counter sale of alcohol still not permitted.

6.15 pm | Tamil Nadu

786 cases and four deaths in TN

786 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Friday taking the total cases to 14753.

Tamil Nadu reported four more deaths taking the toll to 98.

On Friday, 846 have been discharged taking the total to 7128.

5.30 pm | Noida

Gautam Buddh Nagar: 5 new COVID-19 cases, 5 discharged, active cases 88

Five more persons tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar on Friday, taking the number of cases in the district to 307, officials said.

Also, five people, including an 80-year-old woman, were discharged from hospitals after recovery from COVID-9, the officials said.

District Surveillance Officer Sunil Dohare said 62 test results were obtained from the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) and 10 from the National Institute of Biologicals (NIB) on Thursday, while others were from private labs.

“All results from GIMS were negative. One from NIB was found positive, while five from private laboratories were also found positive,” he said.

5.10 pm | New Delhi

The biggest achievement is the public awareness and behavioral change, says Chairman of the Empowered Group-1 and member of the NITI Aayog Dr. V.K. Paul.

We have been able to restrict the mortality rate to 2.13 deaths per million, very low compared to other countries.

We don't have any herd immunity right now, we cannot afford to ignore social distancing measures.

Dr. Paul on lifting of restrictions and leading to resumed human activities at public places: Lockdown cannot go on forever, it achieved the purpose to a large extent. Now, it is imperative that we continue in a manner which is creating headwinds for the virus to spread.

He said "No one has ever said that the number of cases would go down to zero at a particular date, there is a misunderstanding, which needs to be corrected. For the misunderstanding, I feel sorry and I apologise."

5.00 pm | New Delhi

Healthcare infrastructure

At COVID-19 briefing, a government official explains the healthcare infrastructure developed after the pandemic:

During this period, we have developed huge Covid-19 specific health infrastructure, we have now 1093 dedicated hospitals and over 1.85 lakh beds have been created/repurposed. Dedicated health centres with oxygen support are now 2402 and over 1.38 lakh isolation beds are now available there.

There are now more than 6.50 lakh beds in simple Covid care centres.

A huge workforce has been created and trained. About 65 lakh training sessions have been done. In webinars conducted for the purpose, there were 24 lakh viewers till yesterday. Through i-GOT platform, about 8.66 lakh unique users got registered and completed 11 lakh courses.

Over 1 lakh tests are now being conducted every day. 522 labs have been created in the past 8-10  weeks.

Thirty lakh PPEs have been given to States so far, there were no domestic manufacturers, now there are 109.

Three lakh PPEs are being produced by them per day, apart from those being imported from abroad. Forty-three lakh N-95 masks have been given to the States so far.

Simultaneously, all guidelines had to be developed scientifically during this period, they were circulated, adopted and implemented at the ground level.

About half-a-dozen domestic players have now started manufacturing diagnostic kits. They will be producing over 5 lakh units per day in the coming weeks. Virus was cultured by ICMR. About five companies are now working, apart from about six scientists, on developing vaccines. Drug trials have started.

In terms of technology, there was massive response from industries, research organisations and premier institutes. Arogya Setu was launched, it is now being used by about 10 crore people. The implementation of tele-medicine has accelerated.

4.50 pm | New Delhi

80% cases limited to 5 States

Much of the outbreak is now confined to limited areas due to lockdown and social distancing measures, says a government spokesperson.

Around 80% cases were limited to only five States (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi and MP) till yesterday. Over 60% in five cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Thane), over 90% cases in 10 States and over 70% cases are limited to 10 cities.

Over 80% deaths reported in five States (Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, West Bengal and Delhi); Nearly 60% in five cities (Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Delhi and Kolkata), Around 70% deaths in 10 cities (Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Delhi, Kolkata, Indore, Thane, Jaipur, Chennai and Surat).

4.45 pm | New Delhi

Statistical importance of lockdown

The impact of lockdown is reflected in the statistics, says Pravin Srivastava, Secretary to Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Boston Consulting Group adopted two approaches for projections, based on which 36 lakh to 70 lakh cases averted, and 1.2 lakh to 2.1 lakh lives saved.

Second estimate was by PHFI, as per which 78,000 deaths averted, while MK&SR estimated that 23 lakh cases averted and 68,000 deaths averted.

As per simple model adopted by us for estimation, 14 lakh to 29 lakh cases have been averted, 37,000 to 78,000 deaths averted due to lockdown measures, says Mr. Srivastava.

Chairman of the Empowered Group-1 Dr. V.K. Paul says, due to lockdown measures, we achieved three things: a large number of deaths were averted, a very large number of cases averted, much less number of persons spreading infection.

4.30 pm | New Delhi

No exponential rise of cases in India, says Govt

We took timely decision on lockdown measures, as part of a caliberated, graded, proactive and pre-emptive response. Due to these measures, Covid-19 case growth declined. Till April 3, the rate of cases was increasing, 22.60% extra cases were being reported every next day.

However, after April 3 there was a clear decline in number of cases..in the first 15-20 days, there was steep decline. The growth percentage is now at 5.5%, says a government spokesperson.

This shows, we stopped the growth progression of the virus due to lockdown measures. Cases are increasing, but it is not exponential growth. Doubling time before lockdown was 3.4, now it is 13.3, he points out.

Death rate after April 5 had started declining, and now it has settled, says Chairman of Empowered Group-1.

4.15 pm | New Delhi

At the Union Government's COVID-19 briefing:

Health Ministry spokesperson: "Till now 48,534 people have got cured; total 66,330 cases are under active medical supervision. In the past 24 hours, 3334 people cured... The recovery rate is gradually increasing, it is now about 41%. There is improvement in mortality rate too. It's now reduced to 3.02%."

Till 1 p.m. today, 27,55,714 tests were conducted. Today was the fourth consecutive day in which over 1 lakh tests have been carried out, says ICMR spokesperson.

Empowered Group-1 Chairman says: "We achieved an important landmark on May 19, 1 crore treatments provided under PM-JAY scheme. This is unprecedented in the history of health care in India. The other component of Ayushman Bharat is health and awareness centre: 40,000 centres commissioned till date."

3.50 pm | Opposition Meet

 

Leaders of Opposition parties during a virtual meet called by Congress.

Leaders of Opposition parties during a virtual meet called by Congress.

 

The Opposition meet is attended by Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.

Other leaders include NCP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, DMK's M.K. Stalin, CPI(M) chief Sitaram Yechury and CPI D. Raja.

Leaders of 22 parties are attending in all. Notable absentees were SP, BSP and AAP.

They also pass a resolution to condole the loss of lives by cyclone Amphan.

3.45 pm | Opposition Meet

Defining image of the pandemic is lakhs of migrants walking home: Sonia

Addressing a virtual meet of Opposition leaders, Congress president Sonia Gandhi says the Prime Minister's announcement  of Rs 20 lakh crore package has turned out to be a "cruel joke."

"The initial optimism of the Prime Minister that the war against the virus would conclude in 21 days has turned out to be misplaced," she says.

"The defining image of the pandemic has been the lakhs of migrant workers, many with children, walking hundreds of kilometres, without money, food or medicines, desperate to reach their home States.

"Apart from the plight of the migrant workers, those who have been cruelly ignored include the 13 crore families in the bottom half of the population, namely -  the tenant farmers and landless agricultural workers; the laid off or retrenched workers and employees; the shopkeepers and the self-employed; the 5.8 crore   out of the 6.3 crore MSMEs; and organized industries, including the large businesses, that drive our country’s growth.

"Far from offering succour and support, the government has embarked on a wild adventure of so-called reforms including a grand clearance sale of PSUs and repeal of labour laws. There is not even a pretence of consultation with stakeholders or debate in Parliament."

The government has also abandoned any pretence of being a democratic government. All power is now concentrated in one office, the PMO. The spirit of Federalism which is  an integral part of our Constitution  is all but forgotten, she says.

2.30 pm

MHA has allowed limited category of OCI card holders to come to India.

Those allowed include children of OCI card holders, university students, couples where one spouse is an OCI and other is an Indian, OCI who wish to come here for emergencies like death in the family.

The visit of OCI card holders to India was banned since March in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. - Vijaita Singh

2.10 pm | Puducherry

Three-fold increase of COVID-19 cases in Puducherry

With two more COVID-19 cases reported in Puducherry on Friday, the tally of active cases has gone up to 24 in the UT.

Health officials said there had been an over three-fold increase in cases in the past week since lockdown norms were further eased and the arrival of residents stuck in other States and in the Gulf.

Both new cases are women. While a 43-year-old woman in Periyakalapet in home quarantine since a visit to Chennai on May 18  tested positive and has been admitted in the IGMCRI, a 46-year-old woman from Reddiarpalayam who was diagnosed with COVID 19 is quarantined at a facility in Chennai, officials said. - Dinesh Verma

2.00 pm | Tripura

Two more test COVID-19 positive in Tripura

Two more persons tested positive for novel coronavirus in Tripura, raising the state’s total COVID-19 cases to 175, Chief Minister Biplam Kumar Deb said.

The two came in contact with people who returned to the state from outside recently.

The total number of coronavirus cases now rose to 175, out of which 148 have recovered and two others, who were from Assam, were transferred to their home state, officials said on Friday. - PTI

1.15 pm | Delhi

NDRF Sub-Inspector reports COVID-19 positive

An official of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been found positive for the novel coronavirus, the first case such being detected in the federal contingency force.

The NDRF official has been admitted to an isolation ward in the Central Armed Police Forces’ (CAPFs) Referral hospital in Greater Noida on Thursday.

The official is posted in the headquarters of the force here and was on deputation from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). - PTI

1.00 pm | Karnataka

Over 100 new cases in Karnataka

A total of 105 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Karnataka on Friday. With this the total number of cases in the state stand at 1710. Majority of the COVID 19 new cases reported on Friday were people who had returned from Maharashtra.

As many as 588 patients have been discharged and there are 1080 active cases in Karnataka.

12.55 pm | Tamil Nadu

TN allows autorickshaws to ply in the State, except Chennai

The Tamil Nadu government has permitted autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws to ply from Saturday in the State, excluding the Greater Chennai Police limits and COVID-19 containment zones.

Only one passenger will be allowed and the running time will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to an official statement from Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday.

 

12.45 pm | Delhi

Delhi records biggest single-day jump of 660 cases

As many as 660 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 12,319, according to a health bulletin released by the Delhi government on Friday.

This is the biggest single-day jump in the number of cases in the city so far. The last three days had also recorded the biggest single-day increase till then.

Also, 14 more deaths have been reported, taking the total number of deaths to 208. But all the deaths did not happen in the past 24 hours.

Of the 12,319 cases, 5,897 people have recovered and there are 6,214 active cases. - Nikhil M. Babu

12.20 pm | Karnataka

Karnataka revises testing protocol for travellers from six high-risk States

All asymptomatic travellers from high-risk States — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh — will now be tested between the fifth and the seventh day of their arrival.

Those who are symptomatic (Influenza-Like Illnesses symptoms) will be tested immediately on arrival, stated an order issued by Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education) on Thursday.

All symptomatic individuals, who have undertaken international travel in the last 14 days, will be tested immediately on arrival.

12.00 noon | Andhra Pradesh

One death, 62 fresh cases reported in AP

With 62 fresh infections, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh surged to 2,667 while one death was reported, taking the toll in the state to 55.

The lone death was reported in Krishna district.

The number of active patients are now 728. - PTI

11.50 am | Karnataka

Uber resumes operations in Karnataka

Uber said on Friday it has resumed its operations in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi, in compliance with Lockdown 4.0 guidelines issued by the Government.

Riders in Bengaluru can book UberAuto, UberGO, Premier, Intercity, Hourly Rental, UberXL, Access, and Assist on their Uber App.

UberAuto, UberGO, Premier, and Intercity are available in Mysuru, UberGO and Intercity services in Mangaluru, and UberAuto services in Hubballi.

Uber Intercity operations will be limited to travel with necessary authorisation and within state boundaries and permissible zones only.

11.40 am | Maharashtra

Maharashtra fixes price cap on pvt hospitals treating COVID-19 cases

The Maharashtra government has come out with three slabs on per day charges on treatment of COVID-19 patients in private and charitable hospitals and also decided to regulate rates for 80 per cent of the operational bed capacity in these medical facilities.

Fresh guidelines issued by the state government on Thursday said the fee regulation decision applies to both isolation and non-isolation beds in private and charitable hospitals.

This means 80 per cent of beds in isolation and non- isolation wards available with any healthcare provider will be regulated by the state government/municipal commissioner/ district collector.

Healthcare providers may charge their own rates to the remaining 20 per cent beds, according to a government notification.

For COVID-19 patients, there will be three rate slabs on per day basis - Rs 4,000, Rs7,500 and Rs 9,000 - based on the category of wards they have been admitted in, said the notification.

11 am | India

Health Ministry plans to study viral behaviour in corpses

The  lockdown period  has been gainfully utilised to ramp up the health infrastructure in the country, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday, with senior health officials confirming that India is now planning to initiate a study on ‘behaviour of the  coronavirus  ( COVID-19 ) virus in persons who have died after contracting the disease.’

Autopsy in confirmed  COVID-19  cases is not recommended by the Health Ministry and this research, to be conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, will be the first to be undertaken on a COVID-19 dead body. This is expected to give researchers an insight into how the virus behaves in a dead body, the manner in which it affects organs of the body etc.

10.30 am | Mumbai

Mumbai tally rises to 25,500

Mumbai recorded 1,382 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the third-highest single-day jump, pushing its tally to 25,500. The city also recorded 41 fatalities for the second consecutive day, taking its death toll to 882.

Of the new victims, 24 were men and 17 were women. Of these, 23 patients had co-morbidities. While three were below 40 years, 17 were between 40 and 60 years, and 21 were above 60 years.

 

10 am | India

Over 6,000 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours in India, highest single day rise

India registered a spike of 6,088 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, making it the highest single-day rise here since the start of the pandemic, according to figures released by the Health Ministry on Friday.

As many as 148 new deaths have also been registered. India’s tally now stands at 118447 cases, 3583 deaths and 48,534 recoveries.

9.30 am | Delhi

An employee of Lok Sabha Secretariat has tested COVID-19 positive on Friday.

All necessary arrangement regarding sealing and sanitsation are being carried out by Lok Sabha security staff. More details are awaited.

9 am | Delhi

With 571 COVID-19 cases, Delhi records biggest 24-hour surge

As many as 571 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 11,659, according to the Delhi government health bulletin released on Thursday. This is the biggest single-day jump in the number of cases in the city so far.

Tuesday and Wednesday had also recorded the biggest single-day increase till then. Also, 18 more deaths have been reported, taking the total number of deaths to 194, though the bulletin said that all the deaths did not happen in the past 24 hours.

 

8.30 am | Brazil

Brazil suffers record daily coronavirus death toll, soon to be world No. 2

Brazil suffered a record of 1,188 daily coronavirus deaths on Thursday and is fast approaching Russia to become the world's No. 2 COVID-19 hot spot behind the United States.

Brazil also passed 20,000 deaths on Thursday and has 3,10,087 confirmed cases, up over 18,500 in a single day, according to Health Ministry data. The true numbers are likely higher but Brazil has not carried out widespread testing, the ministry said.

 

8 am | Gujarat

371 cases and 24 deaths in Gujarat

Gujarat’s COVID-19 tally jumped to 12,910 after 371 infections were reported while the toll jumped to 773 following 24 deaths on Thursday.

The State continues see sharp rise with over 300 cases per day for the last two weeks.

 

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