Covid LIVE: Both Karnataka, Maharashtra see daily cases below 30,000-mark

Coronavirus live updates: India reported 276,110 fresh Covid-19 infections today, taking the caseload tally to 25,772,440. Stay tuned for corona-related news

7:40 PM

Experts divided over unhygienic masks being factor for black fungus

Amid a rise in black fungus cases particularly in COVID patients in Delhi, some medical experts feel that "unhygienic masks" and poorly ventilated rooms could be a contributing factor, while others said "no clinical evidence" has been established linking the two.

 

Doctors at many leading hospitals here said many patients, both COVID and non-COVID ones, have presented themselves at the facilities who have been infected with mucormycosis or black fungus and had a history of exhibiting poor hygienic practices, including wearing unwashed masks for a long time. READ MORE...

7:28 PM

Black Fungus (Mucormycosis) curing drug Amphotericin B's shortage will be resolved soon: Govt official

7:01 PM

Kerala logs 30,491 new Covid-19 cases, 128 deaths, 44,369 recoveries

Kerala on Thursday reported 30,491 new COVID-19 cases and 128 more deaths, taking the caseload to 22,33, 904 and the toll to 6,852, the state government said. As many as 44,369 persons have been cured,pushing the total recoveries to 19,38,887, while 3,17,850 are undergoing treatment for the infection.

 

In the last 24 hours, 1,31,525 samples were tested and the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 23.18 per cent. So far 1,84,21,465 samples have been tested.

 

6:56 PM

India's Covid crisis worsened by complications like fungal infection

Rare, life-threatening Covid-19 complications appear to be escalating in India, creating a fresh wave of critical medical challenges in a country that has already seen short supplies of oxygen and other basic needs.
 

Pharmacists are warning of a shortage of a crucial drug to treat an invasive fungal infection preying on patients with weakened immune systems. An uptick in cases across India of a dangerous inflammatory syndrome in children -- also seen in the U.S. and Europe at the height of their outbreaks -- is a harbinger of a potentially deadly spate of the pediatric illness in the coming weeks. READ MORE...

6:50 PM

Punjab govt announces Rs 1,500 per month for children orphaned in Covid pandemic

The Punjab government on Thursday decided to provide Rs 1,500 per month as social security pension and free education up to graduation to all those children orphaned in the COVID pandemic, as well as families that have lost their breadwinning member, beginning July 1.

 

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said his government will ensure free education in government institutions for such children as well as kids belonging to families that have lost their breadwinner to COVID, according to an official statement.

 

He dubbed it as the "state's duty to become the foster parents of the children" who have lost both their parents in the COVID-19 pandemic.

6:40 PM

Current Covid vaccines appear protective against variants, says WHO Europe

Covid-19 vaccines currently being deployed in the fight against the pandemic in Europe appear able to protect against all variants that are circulating and causing concern, the World Health Organization's regional director said on Thursday.

Hans Kluge said health authorities should remain vigilant on the rising number of cases in the region of Covid-19 caused by a variant that emerged in India, but stressed that vaccination and infection control measures would help prevent its spread.

"All Covid-19 virus variants that have emerged so far do respond to the available, approved vaccines," Kluge told a media briefing.

6:33 PM

Punjab govt announces SOPs for children orphaned during Covid pandemic

6:31 PM

NHRC issues notices to the Centre, States and UTs over alleged denial of benefits under schemes

NHRC issues notices to the Centre, States and UTs over alleged denial of benefits during Covid-19 pandemic under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and IMPDS due to non-completion of biometric authentication of beneficiaries: National Human Rights Commission

6:11 PM

ITBP-run Covid care centre in Delhi adds 150 more ventilator beds

A new specialised ward equipped with 150 ventilator beds has been operationalised at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)-run COVID care centre in south Delhi for patients requiring critical care, officials said. The ventilators, a vital medical equipment for stabilising patients with low oxygen saturation levels and related morbidities, were provided to the facility by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) from the PM-CARES fund early this month.

 

ITBP spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said, "150 GPS-based ventilator beds have been made functional. This will be in addition to the 500 oxygen beds which are already functional at the centre."

 

"The ventilators are being used to provide critical care to the patients infected with coronavirus. About 10 patients have been admitted today," he said.

5:59 PM

Covid LIVE: Andhra reports over 22,500 new cases in 24 hours

Andhra Pradesh reports 22,610 new coronavirus cases,  23,098 recoveries and 114 deaths in the last 24 hours.

5:58 PM

150 GPS-based ventilator beds from PM CARES Fund established at Delhi Covid Care Centre

5:51 PM

Don't take dip in Covid-19 cases lightly, virus could again hit badly: HC warns Centre, Delhi govt

The Delhi High Court Thursday warned the authorities that they should not take lightly the dip in COVID-19 cases in the national capital as there is a likelihood that the virus would again raise its ugly head and hit the citizens badly and reminded them about their responsibility to create buffer stock of liquid medical oxygen (LMO).

 

The high court said it is the duty of the Centre and Delhi government to ensure that they are again not caught underprepared to deal with the situation.

 

If you have not taken steps, we will come and chase you again. We are telling you, we mean business. Please don't take it lightly we are again warning you, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh told the Centre.

5:29 PM

Uttar Pradesh reports 6,725 new coronavirus cases, 13,590 discharges and 238 deaths in the last 24 hours

Uttar Pradesh reports 6,725 new coronavirus cases, 13,590 discharges and 238 deaths in the last 24 hours.

5:28 PM

Meghalaya records highest one-day spike of 1,183 new Covid-19 cases

Meghalaya on Thursday registered its highest single-day spike of 1,183 new COVID-19 cases, which pushed the tally to 26,927, a senior official said. Ten more fatalities raised the toll to 389, Health Services Director Aman War said. Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 6477, War stated. Six deaths were reported from East Khasi Hills district - of which state capital Shillong is apart -- one each from West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.

 

Of the 1,183 new cases, 656 were recorded in East Khasi Hills district, where lockdown was imposed on Wednesday night for 12 days, War said.

 

At least 464 more people recuperated from the infection, increasing the total number of recoveries to 20,061, the senior official said. As many as 5.19 lakh tests have been conducted in the state so far. Altogether 4.33 lakh people have been inoculated in Meghalata, of which 83000 have received both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine, War added.

5:08 PM

Half of India isn't wearing a mask: Health Ministry