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India’s COVID tally crosses 1.25 lakh; death toll 3,700

New Delhi (NVI): At least 6,654 new cases of coronavirus and 137 deaths have been reported in India in the last 24 hours.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India now stands at 1,25,101, with 3,720 deaths due to the pandemic, Union Health Ministry said.

In the worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 44,582, followed by Tamil Nadu with 14,753 cases, and Gujarat with 13,268 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 1,517, followed by 802 in Gujarat and 272 in Madhya Pradesh.

The coronavirus cases in national capital have increased to 12,319 with 208 deaths reported so far, according to the Health Ministry data.

Other states with high virus cases are Rajasthan (6,494), Madhya Pradesh (6,170), and Uttar Pradesh (5,735).

The coronavirus fatality rate has dropped from 3.13 per cent to 3.02 per cent, ministry said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has revised the advisory on the use of hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus, allowing asymptomatic healthcare and frontline workers to take the medicine.

80 mn infants at risk as COVID disrupts immunisation services

The UNICEF supported Adam Darmal Clinic in Kandahar, in the Southern region of Afghanistan, has WASH, NUTRITION, EDUCATION and HEALTH programs. For every child, the chance to a good start in life.

New Delhi (NVI): About 80 million infants across the world are at risk of having diseases like diphtheria, measles and polio as the vaccination services have been disrupted due to coronavirus pandemic, global health organisations warned today.

According to data collected by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, GAVI, the vaccine alliance and the Sabin Vaccine Institute, the provision of routine immunization services is substantially hindered in at least 68 countries and is likely to affect approximately 80 million children under the age of 1 living in these countries.

Since March 2020, routine childhood immunization services have been disrupted on a global scale that may be unprecedented since the inception of expanded programs on immunization (EPI) in the 1970s.

More than half (53%) of the 129 countries where data were available reported moderate-to-severe disruptions or a total suspension of vaccination services during March-April 2020, said a joint press statement issued by these organizations.

“Immunization is one of the most powerful and fundamental disease prevention tools in the history of public health,” said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

”Disruption to immunization programmes from the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to unwind decades of progress against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, ” he added.

UNICEF has reported a substantial delay in planned vaccine deliveries due to the lockdown measures and the ensuing decline in commercial flights and limited availability of charters.

To help mitigate this, UNICEF is appealing to governments, the private sector, the airline industry, and others, to free up freight space at an affordable cost for these life-saving vaccines.

UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, said, ”We cannot let our fight against one disease come at the expense of long-term progress in our fight against other diseases.”

Fore added, ”We have effective vaccines against measles, polio and cholera. While circumstances may require us to temporarily pause some immunization efforts, these immunizations must restart as soon as possible, or we risk exchanging one deadly outbreak for another.”

Gavi CEO Dr Seth Berkley said that on June 4 at the Global Vaccine Summit in London, donors will pledge their support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to sustain and accelerate this lifesaving work in some of the most vulnerable countries.

The reasons for disrupted services vary. Some parents are reluctant to leave home because of restrictions on movement, lack of information or because they fear infection with the COVID-19 virus. And many health workers are unavailable because of restrictions on travel, or redeployment to COVID response duties, as well as a lack of protective equipment.

“More children in more countries are now protected against more vaccine-preventable diseases than at any point in history,” Gavi CEO added.

Covid-19: Ahead of Eid, 3 bakers, mutton seller among 40 new cases in J&K

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, three bakers and a mutton seller were among 40 new Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the tally in the Union Territory to 1,489.

Despite lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, people were seen thronging bakery and mutton shops in the Valley, ahead of the festival which marks the ending of Ramzan, the holy fasting month for Muslims across the world.

This year, Eid-ul-Fitr is scheduled for either Sunday or Monday, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. In Kashmir, as per the age-old tradition, people buy mutton in bulk to cook various mutton dishes on the eve of Eid while bakery items including sweets are also purchased in large quantities.

Officials said that among the 40 new cases, 33 belong to Kashmir division while seven are from the Jammu division. “650 people have recovered so far while there have been 18 deaths in Kashmir and two in Jammu region. In Jammu region, the number of positive cases has reached 218 with 70 recoveries,” they said.

Cases tested positive in J&K today include two from Anantnag, 1 from Kulgam, 2 from Srinagar, 1 from Budgam, 3 from Kupwara, 18 from Shopian, 3 from Baramulla and 2 from Pulwama in Kashmir division.

“Eight cases were reported from Jammu including 4 from Samba district, 2 from Rajouri and one from Poonch,” officials said.

As per officials figures, 266 positive cases including four deaths and 109 recoveries are from Anantnag, 193 including six deaths and 99 recoveries are from Srinagar, 193 including one death and 12 recoveries are from Kulgam, 138 including one death and 129 recoveries are from Bandipora, 132 including 91 recoveries and four deaths are from Baramulla, 127 including 102 recoveries are from Shopian, 128 including 49 recoveries are from Kupwara, 63 including 35 recoveries and two deaths are from Budgam, 27 including 15 recoveries are from Ganderbal and 21 including 9 recoveries are from Pulwama.

In Jammu division, 68 including 31 recoveries and one death are from Jammu district, 40 including 4 recoveries are from Kathua, 33 including 1 death and 21 recoveries are from Udhampur, 30 including 1 recovery is from Ramban, 20 including 7 recoveries from Samba, 10 including 4 recoveries from Rajouri, 5 from Poonch and 4 with 1 recovery in Reasi, 7 from Kishtwar including 1 recovery and 1 from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 1,28,517 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 32,077 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Apart from that, 749 persons are in hospital isolation while 73 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 70,466 persons have completed surveillance period and 25,132 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 1,14,859 samples are available. Out of these, 113,370 have tested negative, while 1,489 have been tested positive. Among the positive cases, 749 are active, 720 persons have recovered while 20 have died.

Terrorists hurl grenade at joint security post in J&K’s Pulwama

Kashmir
Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): In yet another attack on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists today hurled a grenade at a joint security party outside a school in Kakapora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. However, no damage was reported in the blast, police officials said.

They said that a grenade was hurled at the security force personnel at the main gate of Higher Secondary School (HSS) Kakapora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district at 8:30 pm. “The militants also fired at the security men soon after throwing the grenade. The security men also retaliated. No one was hurt in the incident,” a police official said.

He said that the area has been sealed and a massive cordon and search operation was launched to nab the attackers.

In the last three days, three security forces personnel including two BSF jawans and a policeman have been killed in two separate terrorist attacks in Kashmir.

80% of active COVID-19 cases in India from 5 states: Govt

New Delhi (NVI): COVID-19 outbreak in India is confined to limited areas in the country as 80 per cent of active cases are in just 5 states and more than 60 per cent cases are in just 5 cities, the Government said today.

“Lockdown has mostly achieved its purpose, but it cannot be continued for unlimited time; we need to behave in a manner which makes it difficult for coronavirus to spread. This is the way forward,” Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog & Chairman, Empowered Group 1, said at the daily media briefing here.

“The confinement of COVID-19 to certain areas has been due to the actions taken during lockdown, it enables us to be more prepared for the future,” Dr Paul added during the briefing.

He further added, “We have more than 1 lakh per day testing capacity now. 30 lakh Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been given to the states, 109 domestic manufacturers have been enlisted, attaining a capacity of manufacturing 3 domestic PPE lakh per day.”

Dr Paul further stated, “In less than two months, we have ramped up our health infrastructure, 1,093 covid facilities has been set up, around 3,24,000 hospital beds have been prepared for coronavirus treatment, 6,50,000 beds are ready in covid care centres.”

“Aarogya Setu app is an unequalled weapon in our hands to fight COVID-19, the app now has more than 10 crore users,” the Chairman said.

Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry, said, “The recovery rate has improved to 41 per cent. Mortality rate has reduced from 3.13 per cent on May 19 to 3.02 per cent today.”

In addition to this, approximately 27,55,714 tests have been conducted so far in the country.

PM expresses grief over Pak plane crash

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the loss of lives in Pakistan plane crash in Karachi in which several people have been reported dead.

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane, with 90 passengers and 8 crew members on board, crashed near Karachi airport today just before landing.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of life due to a plane crash in Pakistan. Our condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishing speedy recovery to those injured,” PM wrote on Twitter.


The A320 airbus, PK 8303, crashed in Karachi’s Model Colony near Jinnah International Airport, reports The Dawn.

Cyclone Amphan: EU provides $5,45,000 aid for India

New Delhi (NVI): The European Union today announced an initial funding of USD 5,45,000 (500,000 euros) for India to help it cushion the impact of cyclone Amphan that has left a trail of destruction behind in the states of West Bengal and Odisha.

Besides, the EU has also announced a 1,100,000 euros help for Bangladesh (USD 11,98,785.50 approx) to help it deal with the impact of natural disaster that comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement today, EU Commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarčič said: “The European Union will address immediate needs of populations affected by the cyclone, as well as protect humanitarian aid and health workers from their exposure to the epidemic.

“The EU is determined to start helping people in need with no further delay and provides an initial funding of €500.000 for India and €1.100.000 to support the immediate response in Bangladesh.”

“We can only imagine the dire state our Indian and Bangladeshi friends are currently in. This storm hits at a time when social distancing remains essential to prevent a further spread of the coronavirus. A crisis on top of a crisis, so to say,” the EU Commissioner said in his statement.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for West Bengal which has been affected by cyclone Amphan.

The Prime Minister also conducted an aerial survey in the affected parts of West Bengal and Odisha today to take stock of the ground situation.

Nearly 80 people have been killed due to the deadly cyclonic storm that swept through several parts of Bengal, including capital Kolkata on Wednesday, with thousands of homes damaged, and trees and electric poles uprooted.

Harsh Vardhan takes charge as WHO Executive Board chairman

New Delhi (NVI): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan was today elected as Chair of the Executive Board of World Health Organization for the year 2020-21.

He replaced Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan, in a virtual meeting held today during the 147th session of the Executive Board.

Accepting the Chair of the Executive Board, Dr Harsh Vardhan paid tribute to the lakhs of people who have lost their lives due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement.

“I feel deeply honoured to have the trust and faith of all of you. India, and all my countrymen, too, feel privileged that this honour has been bestowed upon us,” he said.

The Health Minister said that Covid-19 is a great human tragedy and the next two decades may see many such challenges. “All these challenges demand a shared response because these are shared threats requiring a shared responsibility to act,” he said.

“While this is the core philosophy of our alliance of member nations that comprise WHO, however, it needs a greater degree of shared idealism of nations,” he said.

During the session, Dr Harsh Vardhan also shared India’s experience of combating COVID-19. “We have a mortality of 3 per cent only. In a country of 1.35 billion, there are only 0.1 million cases of COVID19. The recovery rate is above 40 per cent and the doubling rate is 13 days,” he said.

Dr Harsh Vardhan has also been a member of several prestigious committees of WHO like Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) and the Global Technical Consultative Group (TCG) on Polio Eradication. He has also served as an Advisor to the WHO.

The Executive Board of WHO is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year term. The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, and advise and facilitate its work.

Coronavirus cases in Afghanistan cross 9,000 as 542 more test positive

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan reported 542 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total positive cases to 9,216, according to Afghan media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Public Health said, 1,180 suspected cases were tested within the past 24 hours, out of which 542 cases were tested positive for COVID-19.

Among the new cases, 316 were reported in Kabul, 47 in Herat, 24 in Nangarhar, 23 in Takhar, 23 in Baghlan, 19 in Balkh, 18 in Kunar, 15 in Laghman, 15 in Farah, 13 in Ghazni, 5 in Paktia, 3 in Wardak, 1 in Logar, 4 in Kunduz, 8 in Panjshir, 1 in Kapisa, 5 in Daikundi and 2 in Nuristan.

Meanwhile, the highest number of cases has been in Kabul, a city of six million that has been under a lockdown of varying intensity since March 28.

In the past 24 hours, 12 people have died, bringing the death toll to 205, as per media reports.

Over 27,889 samples have been tested so far, which analysts say is too low a number when compared to the country’s population.

The ministry of public health calls on the people to stay at their houses during the Eid festival to prevent from more pandemic, as per media reports.

So far, 990 patients have been cured or discharged across the country.

COVID-19 cases surpass 30,000-mark in Bangladesh

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of deaths from coronavirus in Bangladesh has reached 432 after 24 more people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, according to United News of Bangladesh.

The total number of coronavirus infections rose to 30,205 after 1,694 new infections were reported during this period.

In the last 24 hours, 588 coronavirus-infected people made full recovery in the country which raised the total number of recoveries to 6,190.

47 coronavirus testing laboratories across the country have tested 9,727 samples during this period.

Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Nasima Sultana said, “17 private hospitals and diagnostic centers have been authorised to conduct RT-PCR test to detect COVID-19 infection.”

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