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TN Labour Minister tests corona positive

Tamil Nadu Labour Minister Nilofer Kafeel

New Delhi (NVI): Tamil Nadu Labour Minister Nilofer Kafeel has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the fourth minister in the state cabinet to get affected from virus.

The minister has quarantined herself at home in Cheenai. She took part in few events in the state last week, before testing positive.

In addition, Chief Minister K Palaniswami today wished her a speedy recovery.

On his twitter handle, the Chief Minister wrote, “Hon’ble Minister of Labor Welfare Dr. Nilofer Kafeel, when heard the news of their corona infection, contacted them on the phone and inquired about their health.

“I pray to the Lord that he will soon make a full recovery and return to normal,” he added.

Minister K P Anbalagan, was the first to test Covid-19 positive in the state, was discharged from hospital. His colleagues, Sellur K Raju and P Thangamani, are still under Covid-19 treatment in hospital.

There are 1,56,369 coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu, the second worst-affected state in the country, while 2,236 have died from the virus, as per the Union Health Ministry data.

-RJV

Delhi extends ban on manufacture, storage and distribution of gutkha, pan masala

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Government has continued the ban on the sale, storage, manufacture and distribution of gutkha and pan masala for one more year in the interest of public health.

The ban on these tobacco-based products also comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The move can be seen as the Delhi Government’s attempt to prohibit spitting in public places as coronavirus is a highly communicable disease that spreads through droplets in air or a solid surface.

In this regard, Food Safety Commissioner DN Singh has issued a notification on the ban of these products. As per the notification, the sale of tobacco which is either “flavoured, scented or mixed with any of the said additives,” is banned.

However, there has been no ban on sale of cigarettes. According to medical experts across the globe as well as WHO, COVID-19 symptoms are worse in smokers who get the virus than in nonsmokers who get sick.

The prohibition of spitting in public places and the prohibition of paan, gutka, tobacco in public places was part of a notification issued by the government last month.

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has also directed all district magistrates to maintain daily data on violations of COVID-19 rules such as maintaining of social distancing and prohibition on spitting in public places in their respective districts.

-ARK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus cases crossed the 1 million-mark today after 32,695 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, the biggest single-day jump, taking the total number of cases to 10,03,832, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, the death toll has climbed to 25,602 with 687 new fatalities being recorded since yesterday.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 2,84,281 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,56,369 and Delhi with 1,18,645 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 176

Andhra Pradesh- 38,044

Arunachal Pradesh- 543

Assam- 19,754

Bihar- 21,764

Chandigarh- 651

Chhattisgarh- 4,732

Dadar Nagar Haveli & Diu – 297

Delhi- 1,18,645

Gujarat- 45,481

Goa- 3,108

Haryana– 24,002

Himachal Pradesh- 1,377

Jammu and Kashmir- 12,156

Jharkhand- 4,624

Karnataka- 51,422

Kerala- 10,275

Ladakh- 1,147

Madhya Pradesh- 20,378

Maharashtra- 2,84,281

Manipur- 1,764

Meghalaya- 377

Mizoram- 272

Nagaland- 916

Odisha- 15,392

Puducherry- 1,596

Punjab- 9,094

Rajasthan- 27,174

Sikkim- 243

Tamil Nadu- 1,56,369

Telangana- 41,018

Tripura- 2,283

Uttarakhand- 3,982

Uttar Pradesh- 43,441

West Bengal – 36,117

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 492

Arunachal Pradesh- 3

Assam- 48

Bihar- 197

Chandigarh- 11

Chhattisgarh- 21

Delhi- 3,545

Goa- 19

Gujarat- 2,089

Haryana- 322

Himachal Pradesh- 11

Jammu and Kashmir- 222

Jharkhand- 42

Karnataka- 1,032

Kerala- 37

Ladakh- 1

Madhya Pradesh- 689

Maharashtra- 11,194

Meghalaya- 2

Odisha- 79

Puducherry- 22

Punjab- 230

Rajasthan- 538

Tamil Nadu- 2,236

Telangana- 396

Tripura- 3

Uttar Pradesh- 1,046

Uttarakhand- 50

West Bengal- 1,023

A total of 6,35,757 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 3,42,473.

-CHK

Complete 3-day lockdown in Goa from today as COVID-19 cases spurt

Lockdown
Representative Image

New Delhi (NVI): Goa, which opened for tourists from July 2, has gone into complete lockdown for three days from today. The lockdown will be in place till 19 July.

In addition to this, the state government has also announced night curfew on a daily basis or ‘Janata Curfew’ between 8 pm to 6 am which came into effect from Wednesday and will continue till August 10.

During the Janata Curfew, movement of all non- essential activities has been prohibited.

Furthermore, the state administration has also imposed a ban on movement of all individuals for all non-essential activities between the curfew time till August 10.

Notably in May, Goa was declared as a Green Zone with active COVID-19 cases reducing to zero, but later there was a fresh surge in infections.

At present, there are 3,108 COVID-19 cases in the coastal state, as per the Union Health Ministry data.

-RJV/CHK

Coronavirus cases surpass 13.8 mn globally; Brazil tally tops 2 mn

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 13.8 million people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19, while more than 7.7 million have recovered and more than 589,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s coronavirus caseload topped 2 million, doubling in less than a month. In addition to this, the death toll due to the deadly contagion has surpassed 76,000 in the country.

The US reported 68,428 new infections in the past 24 hours, setting yet another record for single-day rise in coronavirus cases. During this period, the death toll also climbed by 974 people, taking the total number of deaths in the country since the pandemic began to 1,38,201, and the total number of cases to more than 3.5 million.

Australia’s second-biggest city of Melbourne reported a record jump of more than 423 new infections on Friday despite a week-old lockdown of more than 5 million residents. With this, Australia’s coronavirus tally has now exceeded 11,000.

Argentina’s death toll due to Covid-19 has reached 2,072, with 22 new deaths in the last 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus cases stands at 1,11,160, with 4,250 new cases, a record daily increase.

-CHK

J&K: CRPF jawan critically injured as service rifle goes off ‘accidentally’

Service rifle
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) man posted in Dalgate area of Srinagar was critically injured this morning after his service rifle went off accidentally. He was shifted to Army hospital Srinagar where his condition is stated as critical.

CRPF spokesman in Srinagar, Pankaj Singh, said that a CRPF man identified as Pradeer Munda, aged 28, a resident of Jharkhand, who was posted with the 61 battalion CRPF in a hotel at Dalgate, Srinagar, got injured seriously after his service rifle went off accidentally.

“He was shifted to Army hospital Srinagar where his condition is stated as critical,” Singh said. He said an inquiry has been ordered to find out how the incident actually happened.

Sources in the CRPF said many colleagues of the injured CRPF man have been questioned about the incident as part of the in-house proceedings procedure. “CRPF is investigating whether the injured man fired at himself deliberately or not,” they said.

-CHK

India’s COVID tally crosses 1 million; death toll at 25,602

New Delhi (NVI): India coronavirus tally has crossed the one million mark and stands at 10,03,832, with the confirmation of biggest single-day jump 34,956 in last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll stands at 25,602 with 687 new fatalities being reported during this period.

So far, 6,35,575 patients have recovered all over the country. With this, the recovery rate stands at 63.34 per cent in India.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 2,84,281 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,56,369 and Delhi with 1,18,645 positive cases.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (45,481) Uttar Pradesh (43,411), West Bengal (36,117) and Rajasthan (27,174).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 11,194 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 3,545 while another 97,693 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

According to ICMR, as on July 16, the cumulative number of 1.30 crore samples have been tested so far and 3.33 lakh samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, a four-member team of the central government will be on a visit to Gujarat today to review the coronavirus situation in the state as cases are rising each day and to provide necessary guidance.

-RJV

J&K: 3 terrorists killed in an encounter in Kulgam district

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Three unidentified terrorists were killed early this morning in an encounter that broke out at Damhal Hanjipora area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, police officials said.

A police offical said that acting on a tip off, joint teams of army, police and the CRPF laid a siege in village Nagnard in Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district. “As the joint teams forces zeroed in on a spot where terrorists were hiding, they came under heavy volume of fire which was retaliated, triggering an encounter,” he said.

He also said that, in the initial exchange of fire, one unidentified terrorist was killed and two soldiers sustained injuries, who were evacuated to army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar. “As the operation progressed, amid heavy exchange of fire, the forces launched the final assault in which two more terrorists were killed,” the officer said.

J&K police on its official twitter handle wrote, “Kulgam update, total three terrorists killed. Incriminating material including arms, ammunition recovered. Search going on.”

Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that, three terrorists have been killed in an encounter in South Kashmir’s Kulgam. “Earlier, one terrorist was killed and two more were killed as the operation progressed. Total three terrorists killed in the operation so far. Joint operation in progress,” he said.

This year so far, 140 terrorists were killed in a series of anti-militancy operations that include top commanders of Hizbul Muajhideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit. Hizb has borne the maximum brunt as the outfit has lost 60 terrorists alone including its chief operational commander Reyaz Naikoo.

However, official figures suggest that since June 1, 55 terrorists were killed in various counter insurgency operations across South Kashmir alone.

-RJV

J&K: Total Covid cases surpass 12,000 mark with 490 fresh cases

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded another spike in Covid-19 cases with 490 new infections, including 33 travelers, taking the tally in the UT to above 12,000 mark.

With the fresh spike in cases, the tally of positive cases in J&K has reached 12,156 including 9649 from Kashmir and 2507 from Jammu. Officials said that out of 490 new cases, 182 were tested positive at SKIMS, 51 at JVC and rest at other hospitals. “The fresh cases include 33 travelers,” officials said.

Among 490 new cases, 428 belong to Kashmir division while 62 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 9649 including 4846 recoveries and 204 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 2507 including 1602 recoveries and 18 deaths.

According to official sources, the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 5488 including 4601 from Kashmir and 887 from Jammu.

With 109 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in J&K has reached 6446 which is 53.02 percent of the total cases which was over 63 percent few days before.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 259 from Srinagar, 21 from Kulgam, 18 from Baramulla, 42 from Shopian, 06 from Anantnag, 03 from Kupwara, 32 from Pulwama, 34 from Budgam, 02 from Bandipora and 11 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 62 from Jammu division include 14 from Jammu, 03 from Udhampur, 02 from Kuthua,33 from Rajouri, 08 from Samba and 02 from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 3,23,038 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 38,581 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 5488 persons are in hospital isolation while 13 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 2,34,857 persons have completed the surveillance period and 43,875 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 4,81,452 samples are available out of which 469,296 stand negative while 12,156 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 5488 are active and 6446 persons have recovered while 222 have died.

-ARK

Delhi Govt eases norms, empowers 11 hospitals to issue disability certificates

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Government has eased norms for issuing disability certificates to persons with disabilities in the national capital by designating 11 hospitals in this regard.

Specially-abled persons in Delhi can now apply for disability certificates at any of the eleven (11) designated hospitals across the capital, Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said.

“In order to facilitate the general public for easy accessibility of hospitals, the jurisdiction of the eleven hospitals for issuance of disability certificates should be all over Delhi and not confined to one district,” he said.

Earlier, specially-abled persons seeking disability certificates were required to apply only through the designated hospitals of their respective districts in the capital. These hospitals would also continue to facilitate the services of providing disability certificates to the public along with the new ones.

The decentralization move would allow the specially-abled persons of the capital to approach any of these hospitals to avail the facility for making disability certificates. According to a government order, now 11 hospitals in the national capital can issue disability certificates.

These hospitals were disability certificates can be obtained are -Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Hindu Rao Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Lady Hardinge Hospital, AIIMS, and Lok Nayak Hospital.

“These hospitals can issue disability certificates to the disabled residing in Delhi, without considering their district of residence,” the Directorate General of Health Services said in the order.

Earlier, the hospitals had been directed to provide a separate line and counters for the applicants.

The hospitals were also asked to report every month the number of disability certificates issued, with details such as date of application and date of issuance of a certificate, to the director, Social Welfare Department.

-ARK

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