Centre Directs States to Release Health Workers' Salaries on Time
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Union Health Ministry, on Thursday, 18 June, wrote to all States and UTs, directing them to ensure salaries of doctors and health workers doing COVID-19 related duty is released on time, ANI reported.
The number of coronavirus cases in India rose by 12,881 to 3,66,946 on Thursday, 18 June, in what is the biggest single-day spike. As many as 334 new fatalities were also reported, taking the death toll to 12,237. According to the Union Health Ministry data, there are now 1,60,384 active cases across the country, while 1,94,324 patients have been cured or discharged.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the annual Rath Yatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple in Odisha, scheduled to start on 23 June, reported news agency ANI.
- On Wednesday, Delhi reported the highest single-day rise in cases, with 2,414 new infections taking the tally to more than 47,000.
- Meanwhile, Maharashtra, the state worst-affected by the virus, recorded 3,752 cases and 100 deaths on Thursday
- Globally, over 8.3 million cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, with India being fourth in the list of countries with the most number of cases
- PM Modi on Wednesday interacted with chief ministers of states badly hit by the outbreak
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Biggest 1-Day Spike of 12,881 Cases; Tally Over 3.66 L
The number of coronavirus cases in India rose by 12,881 to 3,66,946 on Thursday, in what is the biggest single-day spike. As many as 334 new fatalities were also reported, taking the death toll to 12,237. According to the Union Health Ministry data, there are now 1,60,384 active cases across the country, while 1,94,324 patients have been cured or discharged.
Recovery Rate Improves to 52.95%: Centre
The Centre on Thursday said that the recovery rate in the country has further improved to 52.95 percent, with the recoveries/deaths ratio standing at 94.07 percent: 5.93 percent, ANI reported.
Amit Shah to Hold Meeting With Officials of Delhi-NCR on COVID-19 Situation
Home Minister Amit Shah will be holding a meeting at 12 pm on Thursday with senior administrative officers of Delhi-NCR to discuss the COVID-19 situation and management in the region, ANI reported.
Lord Jagannath Won't Forgive If We Allow Rath Yatra This Year: SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the annual Rath Yatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple in Odisha, scheduled to start on 23 June, reported ANI.
The top court said Lord Jagannath would not forgive if this year's Rath Yatra is allowed, adding that such a huge gathering cannot take place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha can't be allowed," the court was quoted as saying.
Centre to Provide 500 Additional Ventilators to Delhi Hospitals: MoS Home
The Centre will provide 500 additional ventilators and 650 more ambulances to hospitals in Delhi, Minister of State (Home) G Kishan Reddy said on Thursday, reported PTI.
“The government plans to conduct 6 lakh COVID-19 tests in Delhi through rapid antigen methodology at 169 new facilities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has said that the government has decided to cap the rate of COVID-19 RT-PCR test at Rs 2,400.
Jharkhand Bans Consumption of All Types of Tobacco Products at Public Places
Jharkhand bans consumption of all types of tobacco products at public places in the entire state, in view of rising COVID-19 cases, ANI reports.
Kejriwal After Meeting with Shah
Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday, after meeting Amit Shah, said the discussion with him was focussed on how to save the entire NCR unit from COVID-19 because NCR can't be separated, ANI reports.
"Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad are the same," said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Health Ministry Writes to All States & UTs to Ensure Timely Salaries of Health Workers
Preeti Sudan, Secretary Union Health Ministry writes to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, directing them to ensure salaries of doctors and health workers doing COVID-19 related duty is released on time, ANI reports.
Delhi Govt Commences COVID-19 Testing Through Rapid Antigen Methodology
Delhi government commences COVID-19 testing through rapid antigen methodology at 169 centres in and around containment zones; 341 teams involved in the testing which makes results available within 30 minutes, PTI reports citing officials.
Amit Shah Directs Officials from UP, Haryana to Submit Info about COVID-19 Beds, Ventilators
MHA says Home Minister Amit Shah directed officials from UP and Haryana to submit info about COVID-19 beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, ICU & ambulances available with them & their plan to augment these resources by 15 July so that a common strategy can be devised in NCR in the battle against COVID, reports ANI.
UP & Haryana Can Decide to Lower Testing Prices: Home Minister
Home Minister while chairing a meeting to review preparations for COVID-19 management said that Expert Committee has fixed a price of Rs 2,400 for tests and if the price for such tests is higher in UP & Haryana they could decide to lower their prices after internal consultations, says MHA.
Govt Lifts Export Ban on Hydroxychloroquine
Govt lifts export ban on hydroxychloroquine API and its formulations, PTI cites DGFT notification.
Maha Records Highest Single-Day Spike With 3,752 New COVID Cases
Maharashtra records highest single-day spike with 3,752 new COVID-19 cases today, the total number of cases stands at 1,20,504, ANI reports citing State Health Department.
The death toll rises to 5,751 after 100 deaths were reported today. 60,838 patients have been discharged so far including 1672 today.
Delhi CM on Number of ICU Beds
"Delhi government making arrangements to increase the number of ICU beds in hospitals in view of rising number of COVID-19 cases," says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, as per PTI.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain Being Kept on Oxygen Support On and Off
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain's condition has improved but fever has not subsided; he is being kept on oxygen support on and off as per requirement, PTI reports citing officials.
He was tested positive for coronavirus this week.