Covid LIVE: We have a window of 6-8 months before 3rd wave, says N K Arora

Coronavirus live updates: 'Vaccine hesitancy in some places is dangerous', says PM Modi. Stay tuned for corona-related news

6:10 PM

Covishield dose interval relaxed for Olympic-bound athletes: Centre to SC

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the athletes, sportspersons and accompanying staff of the Indian contingent attending the Tokyo Olympics, students undertaking foreign travel for education and persons working abroad will be administered the second dose of the Covishield vaccine prior to the prescribed time interval (after 28 days but before 84 days).

 

Presently, based on the recommendations of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NGVAC), the schedule of Covishield under the National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy is to administer the second dose at an interval of 12-16 weeks (after 84 days) from the date of administration of the first dose.

 

In a 380-page affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on Saturday in a suo motu matter on Covid management, the Centre has said the health ministry has received several representations from students as well as states such as Kerala regarding relaxations for the administration of the second dose of Covishield before the currently stipulated 84-day interval for students going abroad for higher studies.

5:56 PM

Coronavirus Latest: 45 more deaths, 222 new cases in Uttar Pradesh

The Covid-19 death toll in Uttar Pradesh rose to 22,518 on Sunday with 45 more fatalities, while 222 new cases pushed the infection tally to 17,05,596, according to an official statement issued here.

 

Of the fresh fatalities, six deaths each were reported from Lucknow and Allahabad, followed by five in Kanpur, the statement said.

 

Of the new cases, 23 were reported from Lucknow followed by 17 from Kanpur, 15 from Varanasi and 14 from Gonda, it said. (PTI)

5:48 PM

Zydus' Covid-19 vaccine for kids to be out by July-end: Top govt advisor

The dreaded third wave of coronavirus is likely to hit India late, according to an ICMR study, said a top expert advising the Central government.

 

"ICMR has come up with a study which says the third wave is likely to come late. We have a window period of six-eight months to immunise everybody in the country," said Dr N K Arora, Chairman of Covid working group, according to an ANI report.

 

"In the coming days, our target is to administer 10 million vaccine doses every day," he said. Read here

5:19 PM

Railways improves operating ratio to 97.45% in Covid-hit 2020-21

Limited train services for most of the year with no subsidies or concessions and severely tightening of expenses have led to the Railways better its operating ratio to 97.45 per cent in the financial year 2020-21 from 98.36 per cent the previous fiscal, according to an RTI reply.

 

Operating ratio is the amount spent to earn every Rs 100. The lower it is the better. It is used to measure the operational efficiency of any organisation. Higher the operating ratio, lower the financial resources available for expansion and growth.

 

The improvement in the running costs of the Railways means the national transporter was able to lower its expenditure and make up for the shortfall in passenger traffic through revenue generated by freight operations. (PTI)

5:04 PM

Delhi Gym Association hopes for positive response from people on reopening after 2 months

Delhi Gym Association is hopeful for a good response from people after Gyms and yoga centres have been allowed to reopen in the national capital from Monday at 50 per cent capacity.

 

All fitness centres have been shut for over two months in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 and combat the second wave of the pandemic.

 

However, even after witnessing a crumbling health care system that saw severe oxygen and bed shortages, the people running this business are positive that there will be a good response from Delhiites. (PTI)

4:45 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi sees 89 fresh cases

4:35 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Andhra Pradesh sees 4,250 fresh cases

4:24 PM

Covid vax may not be enough, masks, distancing must continue: WHO

As the highly contagious Delta variant of coronavirus disease is spreading rapidly across the globe, being vaccinated may not be enough, people must continue wearing masks, maintain social distancing and other Covid-appropriate behaviours, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

 

According to the global agency, the Delta variant (B16172), first detected in India in October last year, has now spread to at least 92 countries, CNBC reported. It is becoming the dominant variant of the disease worldwide. Read here

4:19 PM

Rise in cases of depression, panic attacks, insomnia due to Covid-related trauma: Experts

Inability to mourn with family members or cope with grief alone due to Covid constraints has led to an increase in cases of depression, anxiety, insomnia and other mental health disorders among people in Delhi who have been affected directly or indirectly by the pandemic, experts said.

 

Several hospitals and clinics in the national capital are registering a spike in the number of patients complaining of symptoms related to pyschological ailments triggered by post-traumatic stress, they said.

 

Delhi had reeled under a brutal second wave of the pandemic which claimed a massive number of lives daily, with the oxygen supply shortage issue at various hospitals, having added to the woes.

 

Hospital premises and crematoriums had witnessed distressful scenes, with grieving family members, many in full PPE kits, trying to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. (PTI)

4:15 PM

Punjab govt to install 75 more oxygen plants by July end

The Punjab government will install 75 more oxygen plants in the state by July end, boosting the supply of the life-saving gas ahead of a possible third Covid wave, Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan said on Sunday.

 

Mahajan said all relevant departments have been asked to complete the installation of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants by July end, ensuring pressure and purity of oxygen.

 

With this, the demand for medical oxygen will be met at all healthcare institutes in Punjab, she said in an official statement after chairing a high-level meeting to review the installation of the PSA plants and allied works. (PTI)

3:50 PM

Availability of Covid vaccine for kids will pave way for school reopening: AIIMS chief

Making Covid-19 vaccine available for children will be a milestone achievement and pave the way for reopening of schools and resumption of outdoor activities for them, AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria has said.

 

He said the data of phase two and three trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin on two to 18 years age group is expected by September. The vaccine can be available for children in India around that time following approval from the drug regulator, he said.

 

"If the Pfizer vaccine gets approval before that, then it can also be an option for children," Dr Guleria told PTI on Saturday.

 

According to a senior government official, pharmaceutical major Zydus Cadila is also likely to soon apply to the Drugs Controller General of India for emergency use authorisation for its Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D, which it claims can be given to both adults and children.

3:44 PM

Availability of Covid vaccine for kids will pave way for school reopening: AIIMS chief

Making Covid-19 vaccine available for children will be a milestone achievement and pave the way for reopening of schools and resumption of outdoor activities for them, AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria has said.

 

He said the data of phase two and three trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin on two to 18 years age group is expected by September. The vaccine can be available for children in India around that time following approval from the drug regulator, he said.

 

"If the Pfizer vaccine gets approval before that, then it can also be an option for children," Dr Guleria told PTI on Saturday. (PTI)

3:32 PM

Malaysia indefinitely extends virus lockdown

Malaysia's leader says the country will indefinitely extend a near-total lockdown that's been in place for a month, as coronavirus infections remain high.

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday said the lockdown won't be eased unless daily new cases fall below 4,000, the vaccination rate reaches 10 per cent and demand is reduced for intensive care in hospitals. The national Bernama news agency quoted Muhyiddin as saying he hopes this will happen by mid-July.

 

The lockdown was set to expire Monday. (AP)

3:29 PM

Jharkhand records three more fatalities, 98 new cases

Jharkhand recorded three more Covid-19 deaths and 98 new cases in the last 24 hours, a health department bulletin said on Sunday.

 

The deaths which were reported from East Singhbhum, Bokaro and Khunti district pushed the Covid-19 death toll to 5,110.

 

The 98 new Covid-19 cases took the tally to 3,45,259.

 

Ranchi district reported 18 new cases followed by Simdega (12) and Latehar (9), the bulletin said. (PTI)

3:14 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Haryana govt extends lockdown till July 5, but with some relaxations