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

3:10 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Two cases of Kappa variant of detected in Uttar Pradesh

Two cases of Kappa variant of Covid-19 have been detected in Uttar Pradesh, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

 

Genome sequencing of 109 samples was done at King George's medical college here in the past few days.

 

The Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 was found in 107 samples, while the Kappa variant was found in two samples, the statement issued after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's routine review meeting said. (PTI)

3:08 PM

Goa's Covid curfew may be extended beyond July 12 with more relaxations: CM

Goa's Covid-related state-level curfew may not wind up just yet, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant hinted on Friday.

 

"We need to think about continuing with the state curfew for some more time," Sawant told reporters here.

 

The current phase of the state level curfew in Goa is scheduled to end on July 12. While extending the curfew on July 2, Sawant had allowed reopening of restaurants and bars as well as outdoor sports complexes. Read here

3:02 PM

Over 17 million Covid vaccine doses still with states, private hospitals

More than 1.70 crore balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

 

Over 38.18 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs so far through all sources and a further 23,80,080 doses are in the pipeline. Read here

3:01 PM

British Open back in a bubble after Covid-19 cancellation

As tradition goes at the British Open, it might feel as though nothing has changed.

 

Shane Lowry, a popular champion on Irish soil at Royal Portrush, returns the silver claret upon his arrival Monday at Royal St. George's in England for a ceremonial start to the 149th edition of golf's oldest championship. It's like clockwork, with one exception:

 

The British Open is one year behind.

 

Strange as it was for the Masters to be played amid autumn hues of November, and for the U.S. Open to be played in September for the first time in nearly a century, the biggest fallout in golf last year from the Covid-19 pandemic was the British Open not being played at all.

 

Now it's back, though not quite to normal. (AP)

2:49 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: It's futile to go for antibody tests, says ICMR official

Coronavirus LIVE: It's futile to go for antibody tests, says ICMR official. Read full government release here 

1:50 PM

Only 50 tourists now allowed at Mussoorie's Kempty Falls, after norms violation

After tourists flouted Covid norms at Mussoorie's Kempty Falls the Uttarakhand government on Friday announced that only 50 visitors will be allowed at the waterfall and they can not stay there beyond half an hour.

 

The district administration took this step after photos of hundreds of tourists bathing together in the waterfall went viral on social media.

 

"Now only 50 tourists are allowed at Kempty Falls (waterfall) in Mussoorie; can't stay at the spot beyond half an hour," said Iva Ashish Srivastava, Tehri Garhwal District Magistrate.

 

The DM further said that the tourists will have to get out of the waterfall as soon as the hooter rings. (PTI)

1:22 PM

Over 1,500 PSA Oxygen plants are coming up across the nation, says PM Modi

Over 1,500 PSA Oxygen plants are coming up across the nation. PSA Oxygen plants contributed by PM CARES would support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds. Ensure that the plants are made functional at the earliest: PM Modi at today's meeting over augmentation & availability of oxygen

1:16 PM

Andaman & Nicobar Islands report only one new Covid-19 case

The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported only one new Covid-19 case in the last 24 hours, pushing the tally to 7,492, a health official said on Friday.

 

The single case was detected during contact tracing, he said.

 

The archipelago now has 13 active Covid-19 cases and all the patients are in the South Andaman district. The other two districts of the union territory North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar are now coronavirus free as they don't have any active Covid-19 case, the official said.

 

Two more persons recuperated from Covid-19, taking the total number of recoveries to 7,351.

1:12 PM

Tourism picks up in Sikkim with easing of Covid-19 restrictions

Efforts are underway to restore tourism industry business in Sikkim. The Sikkim government has started efforts to revive the tourism industry by effectively controlling the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

According to Kapil Meena, Additional Secretary of the Tourism Department in the state, Sikkim has started inter-state tourists operations by adhering to Covid protocols under its 'unlock process' from last Monday with special instructions."

 

Meena said that the government has decided to allow entry of only those in Sikkim who have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19. He also said that the state government is making great efforts to make the tourists feel welcomed and comfortable.

1:01 PM

Jammu and Kashmir coronavirus update: Kathua's Bobiya village becomes the first to be 100% vaccinated

Jammu and Kashmir coronavirus update: Kathua's Bobiya village becomes the first to be 100% vaccinated

12:48 PM

Cases of Lambda Covid-19 variant found in Canada: Chief health officer

Canada's chief public health officer says there are cases of the latest Covid-19 variant of interest in the country, but it's too early to know how widespread it is or what impact it could have.

 

Dr. Theresa Tam said Thursday 11 cases of the Lambda variant that was first identified in Peru last year have been reported to Health Canada to date. However, the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec said Thursday it has confirmed 27 cases already, all in March and April.

 

The Public Health Agency of Canada is monitoring Lambda to see how it spreads and how it responds to vaccines, Tam said.

 

We're just trying to gather up some information on who it is that's having the Lambda variant right now, but there's very few cases at this point, she said. Read on...

12:33 PM

1.70 crore vaccine doses available with the states, UTs and private hospitals: Centre

More than 1.70 crore balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. Over 38.18 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs so far through all sources and a further 23,80,080 doses are in the pipeline.

12:26 PM

Morrison promises vaccines for all Australians

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a deal with Pfizer Inc., which will see millions of coronavirus vaccine doses delivered ahead of previous schedules, will mean every Australian will be offered at least one jab by year-end, reports Bloomberg.

 

11:57 AM

Japan vaccine effort hits logistic bottlenecks ahead of Olympics: Report

Several of Japan’s biggest municipalities, including parts of Tokyo and Osaka, have stopped taking new reservations for Covid-19 vaccinations in the latest hiccup for the country’s effort to vaccinate its people, with the Tokyo Olympics just two weeks away, reports Bloomberg.

11:39 AM

Modi chairs meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs meeting on availability of medical oxygen has started in Delhi.