Covid LIVE: Preparing for third wave, says Uddhav as cases hit 2-month low

Coronavirus live updates: India's Covid fatality count remains above the 3000-mark. Stay tuned for corona-related news

Coronavirus LIVE updates: India recorded a single-day rise of 1,65,553 new Covid-19 positive cases, the lowest in 46 days, taking the country's infection tally to 2,78,94,800, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll due to the disease climbed to 3,25,972 in the country with 3,460 fatalities being recorded in a span of 24 hours.

The daily positivity declined to 8.02 per cent, remaining below the 10 per cent-mark for five consecutive days, while the weekly positivity rate dropped to 9.36 per cent.

India continues to be second-most-affected globally.

The six most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (5,692,920), Karnataka (2,546,821), Kerala (2,470,872), Tamil Nadu (2,009,700), Uttar Pradesh (1,686,138), and Andhra Pradesh (1,542,079).
 

World coronavirus updates: Coronavirus cases rise unabated across the globe, with more than 170.61 million infected by the deadly contagion. While 152,585,061 have recovered, 3,547,874 have died so far. The US remains the worst-hit country with 34,035,318, followed by India, Brazil, France and Turkey. However, in the past seven days, India has added the highest number of fresh cases at 1,517,031, followed by the Brazil (443,604) and Argentina (216,171).

Stay tuned for the latest coronavirus-related news.

2:17 AM

Maha extends curbs till June 15; relaxations subject to positivity rate and oxygen beds

The Maharashtra government on Sunday extended the lockdown-like curbs till June 15 and also announcedthat relaxations will be granted depending upon the Covid-19 positivity rate and availability of oxygen beds.
 

In municipal corporations or regions of districts with less than 10 per cent Covid-19 positivity rate and where the availability of occupied oxygen beds will be less than 40 per cent, all the establishments/shops engaged in essential commodities and services that are presently opened from 7 am to 11 am can now remain open from 7 am to 2 pm, the government said in an order.
 

For districts and corporations having more than a 20 per cent positivity rate and where over 75 per cent of oxygen beds are occupied, the borders of such districts will be closed and no person will be allowed to enter or exit in such districts.
 

The exceptions will be death from a family, medical reason and emergency services or services related to such situations.
 

Instead of implementing the 'Break the chain' order uniformly in the state, the restrictions will now be relaxed or made more stringent till 7 amof June 15 by taking into account the positivity rate in the municipality jurisdiction and areas of districts, and the availability of oxygen beds at various places, the government said.
 

2:16 AM

Odisha extends lockdown till June 17 to curb Covid spread

The Odisha government on Sunday extended the lockdown by 16 more days till June 17 to further stem the spread of coronavirus.
 

The second phase of the lockdown was to end at 5 am on June 1. It will now continue till 5 am of June 17.
 

"The lockdown is primarily aimed at restricting movement of people and not goods. All restrictions and exemptions of the previous lockdowns will be implemented in the third phase, too," Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra said.
 

The weekend shutdown will also continue, he said.
 

"However, for three districts Nuapada, Gajapati and Sundergarh the relaxation period will be from 7 am till 1 pm, instead of 8 am to 11 am, from Monday to Friday, keeping in view the decline in COVID-19 cases in these places. This relaxation may be withdrawn if there is any sign of rise in infections," Mohapatra said.
 

He said all businesses except saloons, parlours and malls are allowed to operate with strict Covid guidelines in the three districts.
 

Restrictions like a cap of 25 people at marriage functions and 20 people at funerals will continue, along with prohibition on mass feasts during such events.
 

2:16 AM

Germany hunts down possible fraud in virus tests

The German government is following up on media reports that coronavirus test centres across the country have overbilled authorities for the number of tests taken.
 

Germans are allowed one free “citizen's test” per week to check if they are negative for coronavirus. They can use the result to be able to dine at outside restaurants, go shopping or visit cultural institutions.
 

In recent weeks, thousands of antigen tests centres have popped up everywhere in cities and towns in empty store fronts, closed dance clubs or community centres.
 

Several media have reported that test centre operators are illegally billing for more tests than they actually take.
 

German Health Minister Jens Spahn tweeted Saturday that “anybody who uses the pandemic to enrich himself should be ashamed.” He noted that prosecutors in the western city of Bochum were investigating some suspected cases of fraud, but said that most providers were doing a professional job.
 

9:14 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra CM says the state govt is preparing for third wave

Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra CM says the state govt is preparing for third wave. "Third coronavirus wave may infect children, can't let our guard down," he said.

8:51 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Situation has improved but some districts are still seeing case surge, says Uddhav Thackeray

Situation has improved but, some districts are still seeing case surge, especially in rural areas. The govt will have to curb it, says Uddhav Thackeray

8:39 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Govt targets to buy 200-250 mn vaccine doses by July-end, says report

8:34 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra CM thanks people of the state for observing discipline and following curbs

Coronavirus LIVE: Maharashtra CM thanks people of the state for observing discipline and following curbs

8:31 PM

Watch: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray addresses state on coronavirus situation

8:13 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Punjab sees 2,627 new cases

Punjab reports 2,627 new coronavirus cases, 127 deaths, and 5371 discharges in the past 24 hours, according to the state health department

8:06 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Odisha govt announces extension of lockdown for 16 more days

Odisha govt announces extension of lockdown for 16 more days till June 17 to curb spread of Covid-19: Official

7:55 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Tamil Nadu records 28,864 new cases

Tamil Nadu records 28,864 new coronavirus cases, 32,982 discharges, and 493 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the state health department

7:50 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Uttar Pradesh reports 1,908 new cases

Uttar Pradesh reports 1,908 new cases, 6,713 recoveries and 140 deaths in the last 24 hours; active cases at 41,214, according to the state health department

7:17 PM

Coronavirus LIVE updates: Telangana govt extends lockdown for 10 more days, according to CMO

Coronavirus LIVE updates: Telangana govt extends lockdown for 10 more days, according to CMO

7:02 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Rajasthan sees 2,298 fresh cases

Rajasthan reports 2,298 fresh cases, 66 deaths and 9,636 recoveries today; active cases 49,224, according to the state health department.

6:48 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Goa sees 645 new cases

Goa records 645 new cases, 28 deaths and 1,663 recoveries in the last 24 hours; active cases 14,010, according to the state health department