Covid LIVE: Haryana schools to reopen for Classes 9-12 from July 16

Today's coronavirus numbers: Kerala reported 13,772 new infections, followed by Tamil Nadu (3,211), Andhra Pradesh (2,982) and Delhi (93). Stay tuned for corona-related news

6:48 PM

No case of Lambda variant of Covid-19 found in India, says Centre

The Central government on Friday said the Lambda variant of COVID-19 is not found in India but people should be cautious of such variant.

 

"Lambda variant of coronavirus is a variant of interest. We should be watchful of such variants. As of now, there is no evidence that this variant has been identified in India," Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog said at a weekly press conference.

 

On June 14, the World Health Organization designated the Lambda variant, previously known by its formal scientific name C.37, as the seventh and newest "variant of interest". READ ON...

6:31 PM

People flouting Covid protocols at tourist spots 'serious cause of concern', says govt

Visuals from tourist spots of people mingling without adhering to COVID protocols are a "serious cause of concern", said a senior government official on Friday, while asserting that lowering of guard cannot be accepted at present.

 

"We cannot lower our guard. A new risk is being seen at markets and tourist spots where a gathering of crowds being seen, social distancing and mask protocol is not being followed. This is a serious cause of concern," said Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog during a press conference here.

 

"Visuals from tourist spots of people mingling without Covid protocols a serious cause of concern. This has been highlighted in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.

6:16 PM

Covid LIVE: Visuals from tourist spots a cause of concern, says govt

6:03 PM

Punjab lifts night curfew; opens bars, cinemas for partially vaccinated

With the state's Covid-19 positivity rate sliding to 0.4 per cent, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered lifting of weekend and night curfew, and allowed gatherings of 100 persons indoors and 200 outdoors from Monday.

 

At the same time, he directed the Director General of Police to fine all political leaders violating Covid behavior rules while holding rallies and protest meetings.

 

Even as he hoped that better sense will prevail on the political parties and leaders brazenly violating curbs by holding massive protests, he asked DGP Dinkar Gupta to issue challans against those indulging in anti-Covid behaviour. READ ON...

6:01 PM

Over 50% of total Covid cases reported from Maharashtra, Kerala: Govt

Maharashtra and Kerala recorded more than half of the COVID-19 cases registered in India last week, the Centre said on Friday as it stressed that the pandemic is far from over and there is no room for complacency.

 

In a press conference, a senior official said, "The country is still dealing with the second wave and we need to introspect if we can afford misplaced belief that COVID-19 is over."

 

The government said visuals from tourist spots and the way people are mingling without following Covid protocols is "a serious cause of concern" and that such negligence will increase the risk of virus spread. READ MORE...

5:55 PM

Andhra Pradesh reports 3,040 fresh coronavirus cases and 14 deaths in the past 24 hours

Andhra Pradesh reports 3,040 fresh coronavirus cases, 4,576 recoveries, and 14 deaths in the past 24 hours 

 

Active cases: 30,300 

Total recoveries: 18,73,993

Death toll: 12,960

5:38 PM

Covid second wave not over yet, more than 10% positivity in 66 districts: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry on Friday cautioned that the second wave of COVID-19 is not over yet and noted that 66 districts in the country reported more than 10 per cent positivity for the week ending July 8.

 

Addressing a press conference, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said 80 per cent of new cases are coming from 90 districts- indicating the need for focused attention in these areas.

 

"In the first wave, a peak of 97,894 cases was observed on September 17. In the second wave, a peak of 4,14,188 cases was recorded on May 7. From May 1-7, 3,89,803 cases were reported on an average, it has been dropping since then and now from July 3-9, 42,100 were reported on an average," he said.

5:19 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi reports 81 fresh cases in last 24 hours; positivity rate at 0.11%

4:56 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Punjab lifts weekend curfew, night curfew

Punjab lifts weekend and night curfew, allows gatherings of 100 indoors and 200 outdoors. Bars, gyms, cinema halls, restaurants, spas to re-open with staff and visitors having taken at least 1 dose each of Covid-19 vaccine.

4:49 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Lambda variant not found in India so far, says govt

4:44 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Crowded areas serious cause of concern, says govt

4:17 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Precautions need to continue, no reason for complacency, says govt

4:12 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Daily cases continue to decline, says govt

Daily new cases in the country continue to show a decline. There has been a decline of 8% in average daily new cases in the last week. 80% of the new cases reported from 90 districts: Ministry of Health

4:10 PM

Watch: Health Ministry addresses media on coronavirus situation in the country

3:50 PM

Covid cases went up due to unlock measures, numbers expected to go down: Kerala Health Minister

With Kerala witnessing a spike in Covid-19 cases and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over it, the state government said on Friday the numbers went up due to certain relaxations in the restrictions and were expected to go down.

 

Health Minister Veena George told PTI that preventive mechanisms like enforcing lockdowns, earmarking containment zones and aggressivetesting and tracing by the government ensured that large number of people susceptible to the virus were able to receive proper medical care.

 

"The government's endeavour is to ensure that the number of infected persons never goes above the medical capacity of the state, so that no one dies due to non-availability of beds or oxygen", she said. (PTI)