Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: West Bengal Reports 10,137 New Covid Cases, Culminative Death Toll Crosses 15,500 Mark
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS, May 31, Monday: Mucormycosis or Black Fungus which was already raising alarms in the country has now been detected in children. In a first, two children from Karnataka have been found infected with mucormycosis. An explosive new study has found that Chinese scientists created the virus in a lab in Wuhan, then tried to cover their tracks by reverse-engineering versions of the virus to make it look like it evolved naturally from bats.
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Background
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS, May 31, Monday: The mucormycosis infection, commonly known as black fungus, has now been detected in children. This is first such case reported in the country, two children from Karnataka have been found infected with mucormycosis.
The Uttar Pradesh government eased curbs on weekdays in 55 districts with less than 600 COVID-19 cases, 20 districts, including Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar, will remain under the existing curfew as they continue to report high number of coronavirus infections.
Now, the Yogi govt has announced Rs 10 lakh financial aid for family members of scribes who died due to COVID-19.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday announced that the present lockdown-like restrictions in the state valid till June 1 will be extended by a fortnight, adding there may be certain relaxations. The daily coronavirus cases in Maharashtra are on the decline but these numbers are close to last year’s peak levels, Thackeray said.
South Africa on Sunday announced that it would strengthen the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions up a level to curb the exponential growth in the deadly viral infection, but a leading expert said the action is not enough to stop the third wave of the pandemic from hitting the country.
The total coronavirus cases in South Africa jumped to 1,659,070 with the detection of 4,515 new infections in the last 24 hours, while 70 more fatalities due to the disease pushed the death toll to 56,363.
West Bengal reports 10,137 new Covid cases, culminative death toll crosses 15,500 mark
Over 21.58 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in India so far
New Delhi: The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 21.58 crore, the Union health ministry said on Monday.
It said that 12,23,596 people in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose and 13,402 their second dose of Covid vaccine on Monday.
Cumulatively, 2,02,10,889 people across the country have received their first dose and 23,491 their second dose since the start of phase three of the vaccination drive, the ministry said.
Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have administered more than 10 lakh beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, it said.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has reached 21,58,18,547, according to the 7 pm provisional report for today, the ministry said.
The total of 21,58,18,547 includes 98,83,778 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken their first dose and 67,87,633 HCWs who have taken their second dose, and 1,56,67,311 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received their first dose and 85,21,965 FLWs who have taken their second dose.
The ministry said 2,02,10,889 people in the 18-44 years age group have received their first dose and 23,491 their second dose.
Besides them, 6,64,02,012 and 1,07,15,693 beneficiaries in the 45-60 years age group have taken their first dose and second dose, respectively, while 5,88,31,736 and 1,87,74,039 beneficiaries above the age of 60 years have received their first dose and second dose, respectively.
The ministry said that as on day-136 of the vaccination drive, a total 25,52,501 vaccine doses were given.
It said 22,75,324 beneficiaries got their first dose and 2,77,177 their second dose, according to the provisional report till 7 pm.
Final reports would be completed for the day by late night, the ministry said.
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, it said. (PTI)
Rajasthan eases lockdown restrictions
Jaipur: As the declining trend in COVID-19 cases continued, the Rajasthan government on Monday issued guidelines to start the "unlock" process by easing certain restrictions from June 2.
According to the guidelines for the modified lockdown, exemption for various activities will be given only in areas where the positivity rate is less than 10 percent or the use of oxygen, ICU, and ventilator beds is less than 60 percent.
All government offices of the state will open from 9:30 AM to 4 PM with the presence of 25 percent employees till June 7, and after that with 50 percent employees.
At the same time, private offices can be opened up to 2 PM with the presence of 25 percent employees.
Intra-district movement of private vehicles will be allowed from 5 AM to 12 noon from Tuesday to Friday. After June 8, traffic will be allowed in the entire state from 5 AM to 12 noon.
The weekend curfew will remain in force every Friday afternoon from 12 noon to 5 AM Tuesday till the number of active cases in the state reduces to 10,000.
"Public discipline curfew" will continue the rest of the days from 12 noon to 5 AM the next day. (PTI)
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Non-essential shops can operate for 5 days in Mumbai, announces Maharashtra govt
With daily-reported Covid-9 cases going down in Mumbai, the state govt has announced that all non-essential shops can operate for 5 days (Monday to Friday), from 7 am to 2 pm while adhering to the odd-even rule, and shall remain closed on weekends.