Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Narendra Modi says nation needs to be more careful during 'Unlock', urges citizens to keep following COVID-19 guidelines

11:42 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Number of COVID-19 containment zones in Delhi now at 417

The number of COVID-19 containment zones in Delhi has risen to 417 after re-mapping of such areas, while around 2.45 lakh people have been screened in a mammoth exercise to check the spread of COVID-19 in the national capital, officials told PTI on Sunday.

They said the count of containment zones is expected to jump further as the authorities in some districts were yet to complete the task of redrawing such areas following the Centre's directions. Before the re-mapping exercise, the number of containment zones was 280 in the city, an official said.

11:26 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

'Unlock' has helped open certain sectors of Indian economy, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “Unlock” also helped open certain sectors of India’s economy. “India is unlocking, be it in sectors like coal, space, agriculture and more,” he says. “This is the time to work together to make India self-reliant and technologically advanced” he said.

11:20 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Nation needs to be more careful during 'Unlock', says Modi

Narendra Modi on Sunday during his 'Mann Ki Baat' address said that the nation needs to be more careful during “Unlock” than the previous phases lockdown. “I appeal to the people to not be careless,” he says. “Please wear masks and observe physical distancing guidelines.”

11:14 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Whatever be the challenges, the year 2020 should not be blamed, says Modi

“People are wondering when 2020 will end,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his “Mann Ki Baat” address on Sunday. “They feel it has been a year of many challenges. There could be any number of challenges but our history shows that we have always overcome them,” he adds.

The prime minister says India will overcome challenges created by the coronavirus crisis. “I trust the people of the nation,” Modi says.

11:08 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Updates

Guwahati residents rush to markets ahead of two-week lockdown

Huge rush of people at a market in Guwahati before complete lockdown is imposed in the entire Kamrup Metropolitan district from midnight today for the next 14 days, due to rise in COVID-19 cases, reports ANI.

Assam: Huge rush of people at a market in Guwahati before complete lockdown is imposed in the entire Kamrup Metropolitan district from midnight today for the next 14 days, due to rise in #COVID19 cases pic.twitter.com/wHG5k2TRqE

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2020

11:02 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in US Latest Updates

US surpasses 2.5 million COVID-19 cases

 The United States on Saturday surpassed 2.5 million coronavirus cases, a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University showed, as the world's hardest-hit country grappled with a surge of infections in several states, reporTs AFP. The country also recorded 43,121 new infections in 24 hours, concluding a week with the most newly reported cases since the start of the pandemic.

10:56 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Barber, salons open in Mumbai

Salons and parlours across Mumbai opened on Sunday with precautions. Under the ‘Mission Begin Again’ phase IV, only services like haircuts, dyeing hair, waxing and threading can be offered. Any services related to the skin have been prohibited. In addition, some salons are requesting patrons to download the Aarogya Setu mobile application, while a few others have made wearing gloves and mask mandatory.

Maharashtra: Barber shops & salons reopen in Mumbai. An owner says, "I thank govt for allowing us to reopen. We sanitise every equipment before their use. Salon is also sanitised every 2 hours."

There are 27,134 active cases of #COVID19 in Mumbai, as per last night's bulletin. pic.twitter.com/gJ5fsg0r7X

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2020

10:45 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

33 BSF personnel test positive in last 24 hours

Thirty-three Border Security Force personnel test positive for the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, reports ANI. BSF’s overall count rises to 944. This includes 637 recoveries and five deaths.

10:18 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in US Latest Updates

371 employees test positive at Missouri chicken plant

Tyson Foods has announced that 371 employees at its chicken processing plant in the far southwestern corner of Missouri have tested positive for COVID-19, reports AP.

The company said in a news release Friday that it tested 1,142 employees at the plant in Noel from June 17 to June 19, and 291 tested positive for COVID-19. Of those 291, Tyson said 249, or 85%, were asymptomatic.

10:06 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Maharashtra, Delhi remain worst-hit

With 1,59,133 COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of infections, followed by Delhi (80,188) and Tamil Nadu (78,335).

09:52 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

India reports almost 20,000 new cases, 401 deaths in past 24 hours

India’s cases on Sunday rose by 19,906 to 5,28,859. This is the highest daily rise in cases so far. The toll is up to 16,095, with 410 more deaths reported. 

 The reported active COVID-19 cases in India now stand at 2,03,051, with as many as 3,09,712 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far, the Union Health Ministry has said in its latest update.

09:26 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Modi to address nation at 11 am via Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation at 11.00 am today, via his monthly radio show ‘Mann ki Baat’. The prime minister is likely to talk about the novel coronavirus pandemic and India’s response, among other things.

08:34 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Global coronavirus cases approach 10 million

Global coronavirus cases neared 10 million on Sunday according to a Reuters tally, marking a major milestone in the spread of the respiratory disease that has so far killed almost half a million people in seven months, reports Reuters.

The figure is roughly double the number of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the World Health Organisation.

The milestone will come as many hard-hit countries are easing lockdowns while making extensive alterations to work and social life that could last for a year or more until a vaccine is available.

08:24 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

India's COVID-19 fight people-driven, says Modi

India's fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic is driven by its people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, attributing the "success" against the pandemic to the implementation the nationwide lockdown in its initial phase.

In an address during the virtual meeting of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) on Saturday, Modi said COVID-19 had been used as an opportunity to work towards making the country self-reliant.

This is for the first time that an Indian prime minister addressed the annual meeting of the AAPI, a representative body of more than 80,000 Indian-American doctors in the US.

08:09 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Updates

Complete lockdown to be observed in Guwahati for 14 days from 7 pm today

A complete lockdown would be enforced in Guwahati for the next 14 days beginning Sunday, said the Guwahati Commissioner of Police.

"A complete lockdown would be imposed in the city of Guwahati from June 28 (7 pm), for 14 days. The instructions have been issued by the government. Lockdown will be implemented very strictly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Munna Prasad Gupta, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, told ANI on Saturday.

08:03 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Updates

Assam crosses 7,000-mark, as COVID-19 toll rises to 10

The number of coronavirus cases in Assam crossed the 7,000-mark yesterday after 246 more people, including 31 police personnel, tested positive, while the death toll due to the disease rose to 10, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Assam has reported 7,165 COVID-19 patients, of which 4,814 have been discharged, a daily bulletin of the Assam Health and Family Welfare Department said. It said the state has 2,338 active COVID-19 cases, reports PTI.

07:57 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

Global COVID-19 cases stand at 99.8 lakh

Total confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world stand at 99.8 lakh, according to the Johns Hopkins University CSSE. This figure includes COVID-19 patients who have recovered and the overall global death toll which stands at 4.9 lakh.

With over 25.2 lakh reported cases till date, the United States is the worst-affected country in the world. The US is followed by Brazil, Russia, India and the United Kingdom.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: Narendra Modi on Sunday during his 'Mann Ki Baat' address said that the nation needs to be more careful during 'Unlock' than the previous phases lockdown. “I appeal to the people to not be careless,” he says. “Please wear masks and observe physical distancing guidelines.”

India’s COVID-19cases on Sunday rose by 19,906 to 5,28,859. This is the highest daily rise in cases so far. The toll is up to 16,095, with 410 more deaths reported.

A complete lockdown would be enforced in Guwahati for the next 14 days beginning Sunday, said the Guwahati Commissioner of Police. Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in Assam crossed the 7,000-mark on Saturday after 246 more people, including 31 police personnel, tested positive, while the death toll due to the disease rose to 10.

India's coronavirus case count soared to 5,08,953 on Saturday with the highest single-day surge of 18,552 cases, while the death toll climbed to 15,685 with 384 fatalities, according to Union health ministry data.

On the backdrop of increase in infections, the Karnataka government announced a range of measures including limiting working days of government offices to five days and revising night curfew timings.

According to news agency PTI, it took 110 days for coronavirus infection in the country to reach one lakh while it took just 39 days more to go past the five lakh-mark on 27 June. Saturday was the fourth consecutive day when coronavirus infection increased by more than 15,000 while there has been a surge of 3,18,418 infections from 1 till 27 June.

Of the 384 fatalities reported till Saturday 8 am, 175 were in Maharashtra, 63 in Delhi, 46 in Tamil Nadu, 19 in Uttar Pradesh, 18 in Gujarat, 13 in Haryana, 12 in Andhra Pradesh, 10 each in West Bengal and Karnataka. of the remaining, seven deaths were reported in Telangana, four in Madhya Pradesh, two in Punjab, one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

Of the total 15,685 deaths reported so far, Maharashtra tops the count with 7,106 deaths, followed by Delhi with 2,492 deaths, Gujarat with 1,771, Tamil Nadu with 957, Uttar Pradesh with 630, West Bengal with 616, Madhya Pradesh with 546, Rajasthan with 380 and Telangana with 237 deaths.

According to the health ministry, more than 70 percent deaths took place due to comorbidities.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of cases at 1,52,765 followed by Delhi at 77,240, Tamil Nadu at 74,622, Gujarat at 30,095, Uttar Pradesh at 20,943, Rajasthan at 16,660 and West Bengal at 16,190, the ministry data stated.

The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 12,884 in Haryana, 12,798 in Madhya Pradesh, 12,349 in Telangana, 11,489 in Andhra Pradesh and 11,005 in Karnataka, the data showed.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)," the ministry said, adding that 8,023 cases are being reassigned to states.

Recoveries near 3 lakh

According to the morning update issued by the health ministry, the number of active cases stands at 1,97,387 while 2,95,880 people have recovered and one patient has migrated.

Thus the recovery rate stands at 58.13, the health ministry said.

Among the states, Maharashtra has the highest number of recoveries (73,214), followed by Gujarat (21,476) and Delhi (18,574), it stated.

Noting that India's recovery rate is rising, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is much better placed than many other nations due to lockdown and many initiatives taken by the government as well as a people-driven fight. However, he cautioned people against letting their guard down.

"In fact, we have to be even more careful now. Wearing masks, following social distancing, avoiding crowded places remain important," he said addressing a public event in Pathanamthitta in Kerala via video conference.

'87 percent deaths from eight states'

In another statement released in the evening, the health ministry said that a Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 was informed that eight states — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal — contributed to 85.5 percent of the active COVID-19 caseload and 87 percent of the total deaths due to the disease in India.

The health ministry said it also informed the GOM during its 17th meeting that the COVID-related health infrastructure has been strengthened with the availability of 1,039 dedicated COVID-19 Hospitals with 1,76,275 isolation beds, 22,940 ICU beds and 77,268 oxygen-supported beds, the ministry said.

Also, 2,398 dedicated COVID-19 health centres with 1,39,483 isolation beds, 11,539 ICU beds and 51,321 oxygen-supported beds have been operationalised.

ICMR Director General Balram Bhargav told the GoM that India now has 1,026 diagnostic labs dedicated to COVID-19. This includes 741 in the government sector and 285 private labs.

According to the ICMR, till 26 June, a cumulative total of 79,96,707 samples have been tested with 2,20,479 samples being tested on Friday, the highest in a day since the contagion began to spread in India.

The GoM was also told that 15 central teams consisting of public health experts, epidemiologists and a senior joint secretary-level officer have been deployed to provide support to the states. Another central team is currently visiting Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana to boost the ongoing efforts for managing COVID-19, it said.

Meanwhile, a Central team consisting of Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Civil Affairs Kunal Kumar and others, visited Maharashtra's Thane district which has reported 27,479 cases till Friday.

While Agarwal said efforts should be focused on reducing the mortality rate and suggested testing capacity be increased in the district, Pradip Vyas, principal secretary (health) in the Maharashtra government said the need of the hour was large-scale contact tracing, increasing the number of tests and setting up of more quarantine facilities.

Karnataka announces Sunday curfew from 5 July

Amid a rise in coronavirus infections, the Karnataka government announced a slew of decisions, including total lockdown on Sundays starting 5 July and revision in night curfew timings from 9 pm to 5am to 8 pm to 5 am with effect from 29 June.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa with ministers and officials amid growing outcry by the Opposition to impose stringent lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 cases in the state.

"Lockdown would be imposed every Sunday, with effect from 5 July, 2020 until further orders. No activities shall be permitted on that day except essential services and supplies. All government offices shall remain closed on all Saturdays, along with second and fourth Saturdays with effect from 10 July," said an official statement.

According to a bulletin released by the Karnataka health department, confirmed cases in the state surged to 11,923 as 918 more persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus while 11 succumbed to the diseases, taking the toll to 191. Four persons have so far died due to non-COVID-19 causes, the bulletin added.

States report new cases

New cases and fatalities were also reported in other states and UTs including Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi.

Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra rose to 1,59,133 with a record 5,318 new patients confirmed positive on Saturday. The toll due to the virus reached 7,273 with 167 fatalities coming to light on Saturday. Mumbai recorded 1,460 fresh COVID-19 cases and 41 deaths, taking the total number of infections in the metropolis to 73,747 and toll to 4,282, reported ANI quoting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Gujarat too reported its highest single-day spike with 615 patients testing positive for the virus, taking the overall caseload to 30,773, the state health department said.

With the death of 18 patients on Saturday, the number of fatalities has gone up to 1,790. But the number of the recovered cases climbed to 22,417 after discharge of 379 patients in the day and the state now has 6,566, it said.

Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela too tested positive for the novel coronavirus, reported News18. He is displaying mild symptoms and is currently quarantined at home.

Delhi on Saturday registered 2,948 new coronavirus cases and 66 deaths, taking the total number of cases to 80,188 and toll to 2,558. On Saturday, a serological survey to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the spread of COVID-19 in the National Capital commenced in some parts of the city.

"The serological survey has started from Saturday and will cover 20,000 people. The survey is being conducted door to door and will reveal the extent of coronavirus spread in Delhi," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in an online briefing.

Tamil Nadu reported 3,713 fresh COVID-19 infections and 68 deaths, taking the total number of cases to 78,335 and toll to 1,025 while Kerala recorded 195 new cases and 102 recoveries.

In the meantime, West Bengal recorded 521 new cases and 13 deaths, taking the total number of cases in the state to 16,711 and death toll to 629, reported ANI quoting the state health department.

Dexamethasone included in revised treatment protocols

In another development, the health ministry allowed the use of steroid drug dexamethasone for the treatment of COVID-19 patients who are moderately to severely ill. In its revised 'Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19', the ministry said that  dexamethasone can be used as an alternative choice to methylprednisolone for managing moderate to severe cases. The change has been made after considering the latest available evidence and expert consultation, it added.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the corticosteroid dexamethasone was tested in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in the United Kingdom's national clinical trial 'RECOVERY' and was found to have benefits for critically-ill patients.

According to preliminary findings shared with the WHO, for patients on ventilators, the treatment was shown to reduce mortality by about one-third, and for patients requiring only oxygen, mortality was cut by about one-fifth.

Globally, the viral infection has now affected as many as 96,52,307 while 4,91,115 people have died due to the disease, according to that WHO COVID-19 database.

With inputs from agencies

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