Covid LIVE: Domestic carriers allowed to operate at 65% passenger capacity

Today's coronavirus numbers: Bengaluru (352 cases), Mumbai 553 cases), Chennai (222 cases), Kolkata (137 cases), Delhi (94 cases). Stay tuned for corona-related news

1:43 AM

Covid-19: Gujarat adds 17 lakh beneficiaries under food welfare scheme

Gujarat has added 17 lakh beneficiaries in the last one year under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a central scheme launched to provide free ration to the poor and needy people affected by the coronavirus outbreak, according to Food Corporation of India (FCI) data.
 

The scheme was launched in March last year to lessen the hardships faced by poor people due to economic disruption caused by the coronavirus, said a release by FCI's Gujarat office on Monday.
 

As against 3.24 crore eligible persons who received free ration last year under this scheme (when it was launched) in Gujarat, as many as 3.41 crore beneficiaries received foodgrains this year in Gujarat, said Aseem Chhabra, General Manager, FCI, Gujarat region.
 

Figures shared by Chhabra indicated that 17 lakh beneficiaries were added to the scheme in Gujarat in the last one year.
 

"Five kilogram foodgrains per person per month are provided free of cost under the PMGKAY. Respective state governments identify beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Tribals, landless labourers, marginalised farmers and daily wage earners are also covered under this scheme" Chhabra told reporters.
 

The scheme has been given multiple extensions ever since its launch.
 

10:17 PM

Germany looks to increase vaccine rates

Germany's disease control center says the country should aim to vaccinate 85% of people ages 12-59 and 90% of people over 60 to prevent the delta variant causing a strong resurgence of coronavirus cases this autumn and winter.
 

Monday's report by the Robert Koch Institute was based on mathematical modelling and survey findings. It comes as Germany's infection rate is at its lowest in months. On Monday, the institute said that five new cases per 100,000 residents have been reported over the past week. But the more contagious delta variant is thought to account for more than half of new cases.
 

The report said the vaccination targets are reached soon enough, then “a strong fourth wave in the coming fall/winter appears unlikely,” provided people also use basic hygiene measures and reduce contacts if infection rates rise.
 

Germany had given 56.5% of its entire population at least one vaccine shot by Sunday and 38.9% were fully vaccinated.

10:17 PM

Johnson: UK must live with virus but restrictions can ease

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says people in England will no longer be required by law to wear face masks in indoor public spaces and to keep at least 1 meter (3 feet) apart as soon as later this month, confirming plans to reopen society despite rising coronavirus cases.
 

Johnson confirmed Monday that legal sanctions will be replaced by individual “informed decisions” when the country moves to the final stage of its lockdown-lifting roadmap. He said that's scheduled to happen on July 19, although a final decision will come on July 12.
 

The change will mean people can throw away masks after months of enforced face-covering, though businesses and transit operators may still require them, and they will still be recommended in some enclosed spaces.
 

Britain has recorded more than 128,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest toll in Western Europe, and confirmed infections are rising due to the highly transmissible delta variant.
 

Public health officials say Britain's robust vaccination program has weakened the link between infections and deaths, but not severed it entirely. The government acknowledges that infections, hospitalizations and deaths will all rise once the remaining restrictions are lifted.
 

Johnson said “this pandemic is far from over” and “we must reconcile ourselves, sadly, to more deaths from Covid.” 
 

10:16 PM

Chhattisgarh records 319 Covid-19 cases, 1 death

Chhattisgarh on Monday reported 319 Covid-19 cases and one death, taking the infection count to 9,96,037 and the toll to 13,457, a health official said.
 

The number of recoveries reached 9,77,360 after 107 people were discharged from hospitals and 336 completed home isolation during the day, leaving the state with 5,220 active cases, the official informed.
 

"Raipur's tally rose by 10 to touch 1,57,270, including 3,131 deaths. Sukma recorded 47 cases, Bijapur and Janjgir-Champa saw 35 cases each. With 31,557 samples being examined on Monday, the number of tests in the state went up to 1,04,50,120," the official said.
 

He said, till Sunday, 1,01,36,466 Covid-19 vaccine doses had been administered in the state, with 84,20,556 people getting the first shot and 17,15,910 the second.
 

Chhattisgarh's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 9,96,037, New cases 319, Deaths 13,457, Recovered 9,77,360, Active cases 5,220, Tests today 31,557, Total tests 1,04,50,120.
 

10:16 PM

Maharashtra reports 6,740 new Covid-19 cases, 51 deaths; 13,027 recover

Maharashtra reported 6,740 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, taking the infection tally to 61,04,917, while the death toll increased to 1,23,136 with the addition of 51 fresh fatalities, a health department official said.
 

The state reported a sharp drop in both daily Covid-19 cases and fatalities as compared to Sunday, when it had registered 9,336 infections and 123 fatalities.
 

The official said as many as 13,027 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, pushing the number of recovered cases to 58,61,720.
 

The state now has 1,16,827 active cases, he said.
 

Maharashtra's Covid-19 recovery rate is 96.02 per cent, while the fatality rate is 2.01 per cent, he said.
 

According to the official, 1,69,517 coronavirus tests were conducted in the last 24 hours (down from 2,22,063 on Sunday), taking their overall count to 4,27,12,460.
 

The official said currently, 6,42,253 people are in home quarantine and 4,233 people in institutional quarantine across the state.
 

According to the official, Mumbai recorded 486 new Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 7,25,161, while the death toll increased to 15,554 after 10 more patients succumbed to the infection.
 

8:55 PM

Over 8.3 million vaccine doses administered in Delhi: Govt bulletin

Delhi has administered a total of 83,82,845 Covid vaccine doses till Monday, according to the city government's daily bulletin.

 

As many as 19,10,694 people have been fully vaccinated while 64,72,151 have received the first dose of the vaccine, the bulletin said.

 

A total of 9,509 jabs were administered in the national capital on Sunday as the government vaccination centres were closed. Read here

8:46 PM

CBSE's special scheme for class 10,12 board exams in 2021-22: Check details

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday unveiled a special assessment scheme for class 10 and 12 board exams for academic session 2021-22 in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Under the new scheme, academic session will be divided into two terms with 50 per cent syllabus in each term.

 

"The syllabus for the academic session 2021-22 will be divided into two terms by following a systematic approach by looking into the interconnectivity of concepts and topics by the Subject Experts," CBSE said. Read here

8:38 PM

Andhra Pradesh registers 2,100 new Covid-19 infections, 26 deaths

Andhra Pradesh logged 2,100 fresh cases of coronavirus, 3,435 recoveries and 26 deaths in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Monday.

 

Active cases stood at 33,964.

 

A total of 2.24 crore tests so far turned out 19,05,023 positive cases of Covid-19 in the state, at an overall positivity rate of 8.65 per cent. Read here

8:32 PM

Luxembourg PM in ''serious,'' stable condition with Covid-19

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is in a serious, but stable condition and will remain in the hospital for up to four more days after he was unable to shake a bout of Covid-19 that developed over a week ago, the government said.

 

In a statement, it added that the running of state affairs will be taken over by Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna in the meantime.

 

Bettel, 48, was diagnosed with insufficient oxygen saturation, forcing him to remain under medical observation since the weekend. He was also suffering from coronavirus symptoms including coughing, headaches and a fever.

 

The medical state of the prime minister is considered serious, but stable, the government said. (AP)

8:13 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Govt allows airlines to operate at 65% capacity

8:02 PM

CBSE announces special assessment scheme for class 10,12 board exams for 2021-22 session.

CBSE announces special assessment scheme for class 10,12 board exams for 2021-22 session.

8:01 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Malls re-open in Shivamogga from today

7:40 PM

India to work with Maldives, Croatia, others to enable adaptation of Co-Win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered the CoWIN platform to every country, saying that Indian civilization considers the whole world as one family.

 

Addressing the delegates at CoWIN Global Conclave, PM Modi said, "This pandemic has made many people realize the fundamental truth of this philosophy. That's why, our technology platform for Covid vaccination - the platform we call Co-WIN - is being prepared to be made open-source."

 

ANI has learnt that several countries showed interest in the adoption Co-WIN platform. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will work with the National Health Authority (NHA) for enabling the adaptation and adoption of the platform by these countries. Read here

7:28 PM

Sputnik V trials among 12-17s start in Moscow

Early trials of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine among children ages 12 to 17 have started in Moscow, city officials said Monday.

 

Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said 100 volunteers have been recruited who haven't been previously infected with the coronavirus and don't have health issues that would prevent them from getting the shots. Rakova said the youths will receive a small dose of Sputnik V than what is usually administered for adults. Read here

7:23 PM

Kerala records 8,037 fresh coronavirus infections, 102 fatalities

Kerala on Monday recorded 8,037 fresh Covid-19 cases, pushing the infection caseload to 29,81,721, while 102 fatalities took the toll to 13,818.

 

As many as 11,346 people have been cured of the infection, taking the total recoveries to 28,66,806 and the number of active cases in the state was 1,00,626, a state government release said.

 

Thrissur topped in the number of cases (922), followed by Palakkad (902), Malappuram (894), Kozhikode (758), Thiruvananthapuram (744), Kollam (741), Ernakulam (713), Kannur (560) and Alappuzha (545). Read here

7:13 PM

India will continue to share resources, expertise with other countries to fight COVID: Foreign Secretary

India will continue to share its resources, experience and expertise with other countries to fight Covid-19 as even in the "darkest days" of the pandemic it did not lose sight of the fact that it lives in a global community, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Monday.

 

He was speaking at the 'CoWIN Global Conclave', where Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered CoWin, India's technological platform for its Covid-19 vaccination drive, to other countries.

 

CoWIN can be adapted for health interventions across the world and India stands ready to make it available to its partners, the foreign secretary said.

 

"India has not, even in the darkest days of the pandemic, lost sight of the fact that we live in a global community. Our highest leadership has never lost sight of the fact that responsible global citizens help each other in difficult times," he said. (PTI)

6:53 PM

Print media revenue to grow 35% in FY22, still lower than pre-Covid levels

Notwithstanding a 35 per cent growth in toplines in FY22 on a lower base, revenues for the print media industry will touch only 75 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels, a report said on Monday.

 

The sector's revenue of Rs 31,000 crore in FY20, split 70:30 between advertisement and subscriptions, had declined 40 per cent last fiscal amid the first wave. The same is expected to reach Rs 24,000-25,000 crore in FY22.

 

Sharp cost rationalisation measures and digitalisation of content will lead to a revival in profitability to 9-10 per cent, ratings agency Crisil said, admitting that the bottomline will grow despite the 20-30 per cent rise in newsprint prices over the last six months. Read here

6:45 PM

CoWIN goes global: India makes tech open source, 142 nations show interest

India is making its digital platform for Covid-19 vaccination drive CoWIN, or the Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network, an open source technology for all countries to access, adapt and use. This is perhaps the first time any nation is making a software platform developed by its public sector initiative open for the world.

 

Speaking at the CoWin Global Conclave Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that software is one area in which there are ‘no resource constraints’. Emphasising the importance of technology in the fight against the pandemic, Modi said that India made its Covid tracking and tracing app Aarogya Setu open source as soon as it was ‘technically feasible’. He pointed out that with nearly 200 million users, the 'Aarogya Setu' app is a readily available package for developers, and has been tested in the real world for speed scale. India has administered over 350 million doses through this platform. Read here

6:37 PM

Moderna's mRNA Covid-19 vaccine expected to reach India this week: Sources

US giant drug maker Moderna's Covid-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is expected to reach India this week after the completion of some official formalities, informed sources.

 

After getting the vaccines it's going to be distributed among government hospitals of the country.

 

"On behalf of COVAX, Gavi is working closely with the US government and other partners to operationalise dose donations and get doses delivered as quickly as possible so that countries can continue to protect their most at-risk groups. More information on volumes and timelines will follow in due course," said a spokesperson of GAVI Alliance to ANI on delivery of Moderna to India. (ANI)

6:10 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi reports 54 fresh cases; positivity rate dips to 0.09%

6:05 PM

Delta variant shows 8-fold sensitivity to vaccine-driven antibodies: Study

The Delta variant of Covid-19 virus shows eight-fold approximately reduced sensitivity to vaccine elicited antibodies compared to the Wuhan strain, revealed a recent study on the B.1.617.2 Delta variant on over 100 healthcare workers (HCWs) across three centres in Delhi, including Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

 

As per the study, the variant is less sensitive to neutralising antibodies from recovered individuals, with higher replication efficiency as compared to the Alpha variant. The study is available online as a non-peer reviewed preprint version in Research Square, an expanded set of services and tools for expert research assistance. Read here

6:02 PM

ICMR-NICED submits proposal to research oral coronavirus vaccine

Kolkata-based ICMR-NICED has submitted a proposal to the Department of Biotechnology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology for research on an oral Covid vaccine, a senior official of the institute said on Monday.

 

The proposed research project will be done in collaboration with a German firm and it has been shortlisted for presentation, she said.

 

"We have submitted a proposal for research on an oral vaccine. It will be carried out in collaboration with a German firm. Work can be started once it gets selected and funded," ICMR-NICED Director Shanta Dutta said. Read here

5:45 PM

Recovery tracker: Power generation up, more people get back to office

Weekly indicators of economic activity show increased traction amid declining cases. Power generation is inching closer to double-digit gains over 2019, even as mobility shows signs of rising once again. Other indicators like traffic and emissions also show some signs of recovery, though more in some parts of the country than others. Read here

5:41 PM

Sikkim reports 95 new cases, one more fatality

Sikkim reported 95 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the caseload to 21,226, a health department bulletin said on Monday.

 

South Sikkim registered 47 new cases, followed by East Sikkim (30) and West Sikkim (18).

 

The Himalayan state reported one more Covid-19 death in the past 24 hours, taking the toll to 309. (PTI)

5:15 PM

Bihar government eases coronavirus curbs; colleges, gyms to reopen

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday allowed reopening of colleges, universities and senior sections in schools, besides easing several other curbs that are in place as part of the Covid-induced lockdown clamped on the state two months ago.

 

The announcement to the effect was made by the chief minister on his Twitter handle after he chaired a meeting of the high-powered crisis management group which reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the state. Read here

5:11 PM

Tata Steel initiatives reach 1 mn beneficiaries: Chairman

To combat Covid-19 pandemic, initiatives by Tata Steel including supplying 61,000 tonnes of liquid oxygen from its installations to states for setting up 1,600 hospital beds for treatment of infected has benefitted about one million people, Chairman N Chandrasekaran has said.

 

Those gaining from the efforts were not only the employees and their families but also the community members in and around our operating locations, he said.

 

"The past 18 months have been challenging for all of us in many ways. We have seen unprecedented times due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world and it has not yet abetted with multiple variants of the virus still a threat to human lives. (PTI)

4:53 PM

Sri Lanka receives first batch of US-made Pfizer vaccine

Sri Lanka on Monday received the first batch of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, becoming the first country in South Asia to get the US made Covid-19 jab.

 

Officials say 26,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine directly purchased by the Sri Lankan government was flown into the country on Monday.

 

Health authorities say that Sri Lanka had signed agreements to purchase five million doses of Pfizer vaccine this year. The country is expected to receive about 200,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine this month. (PTI)

4:41 PM

Singapore border reopening vital to economy but govt mindful of another wave: Minister

Reopening Singapore's borders is vital to the country's economic recovery, but doing so prematurely could result in another wave of Covid-19 infections, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said in Parliament on Monday.

 

The priority, therefore, is to speed up vaccinations, he said.

 

"There has been feedbacks from the business and investment community that Singapore might lose out to other hubs that are moving more aggressively to reopen their borders," the Channel News Asia quoted Wong as saying. (PTI)

4:29 PM

Israel sees steep drop in Pfizer vaccine efficacy rate: Report

Israel has recorded a steep drop in the efficacy rate of the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE in preventing coronavirus infections, due to the spread of the delta variant and the easing of government restrictions, Ynet news website reported, citing Health Ministry data. Read here

4:02 PM

Over 20 mn Covid vaccine doses still available with states, pvt hospitals

More than 2.01 crore balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

 

Over 36.97 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs so far through all sources. Of this, the total consumption including wastage is 34,95,74,408 doses, the ministry said.

 

The Centre is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of Covid-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalisation of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from June 21. Read here