After Pushback, Delhi LG Rolls Back Institutional Quarantine Order
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Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday, 20 June, rolled back the compulsory five-day institutional quarantine order for COVID-19 patients, saying "only those COVID positive cases which do not require hospitalisation on clinical assessment and do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would be required to undergo institution isolation."
Earlier, the Delhi government had opposed the LG's quarantine order in the first DDMA meeting held on Saturday, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Yojana’ – a Rs 50,000 crore mega job scheme for migrant workers, who have returned to their home states.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India rose by 14,516 to 3,95,048 on Saturday, in what is the biggest one-day spike. The death toll increased by 375 to 12,948 .
- Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Omprakash Saklecha has tested positive for COVID-19, just hours after he cast his vote for the Rajya Sabha polls
- The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has approved the recommendations of the Expert Committee to fix the rates of beds for COVID-19 patients, LG Anil Baijal said on Saturday
- Tamil Nadu on Saturday reported 2,396 new cases of COVID-19 and 38 deaths, taking the tally to 56,845 and the death toll to 704
- There have been over 8.6 million coronavirus cases reported globally, with India being the fourth worst-affected country
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COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerating: WHO Head Warns
The World Health Organization has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is entering a "new and dangerous" phase. Thursday saw the most cases in a single day reported to the WHO.
Head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the day had seen 150,000 new cases with half of those coming from the Americas and large numbers also from the Middle East and South Asia, the BBC reported.
He said the virus was still spreading fast and the pandemic accelerating.
Highest Single-Day Spike, 375 More Deaths Due to COVID-19
India reports the highest single-day spike of 14,516 new COVID-19 cases and 375 deaths in last 24 hours. Total number of positive cases now stands 3,95,048, including 1,68, 269 active cases, 2,13,831 cured/discharged/migrated and 12, 948 deaths, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Over 66 Lakh Samples Tested Till 19 June: ICMR
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on Saturday, said it has tested 66,16,496 samples till 19 June and 1,89,869 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
PM Modi Launches 'Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, launched a Rs 50,000 crore mega job scheme for migrant workers, who have returned to their home states.
The mega employment scheme, launched from Bihar's Khagaria district, will be rolled out in 116 districts across the country, which have received the largest numbers of workers from urban centres.
Delhi Govt to Oppose LG's Home Isolation Order in DDMA Meeting: Sisodia
Delhi government will oppose Lt Governor's order to scrap home isolation of COVID patients during DDMA meeting on Saturday noon, said Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia.
No Consensus on Home Isolation Rule: Sisodia After DDMA Meet
After the first DDMA meeting on Saturday, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said a consensus could not be reached on rates of bed in private hospitals and the LG’s home isolation order. He said another meeting has been scheduled at 5 PM on Saturday.
Delhi Govt Asks Hospitals to Recall All Staff on Leave
Delhi Government issues order advising Hospitals & Medical Institutions under it to recall their staff that is on leave to report for duty immediately. Leave of any kind to be granted only under most compelling circumstances.
Resuming International Flights Will Depend on When Other Countries Are Willing to Receive Flights: Civil Aviation Minister
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, on Saturday, said, “The exact time of resuming international flights will depend on when other countries are willing to receive flights.”
He added, “In absence of a decision on resumption of international civil aviation which will depend on other countries opening up, we are left with no option but to continue what I call evacuation and repatriation flights under managed and controlled conditions.”
Meanwhile, Aviation Secretary PS Kharola said they may think of opening flights on a "case-to-case" basis. He was further quoted by PTI as saying,“Upper and lower limits on airfares may be extended beyond 24 August depending on how the situation pans out.”
After Pushback, Delhi LG Rolls Back Institutional Quarantine Order
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday rolled back the compulsory five-day institutional quarantine order for COVID-19 patients, saying "only those COVID positive cases which do not require hospitalisation on clinical assessment and do not have adequate facilities for home isolation would be required to undergo institution isolation."
Biggest 1-Day Spikes in TN, Kerala
Tamil Nadu on Saturday reported 2,396 new cases of COVID-19 and 38 deaths, taking the tally to 56,845 and the death toll to 704. This is the biggest one-day spike in cases.
Meanwhile, Kerala also reported its biggest spike, with 127 new cases on Saturday.
541 New COVID-19 Cases in UP, Tally Rises to 17,135
Uttar Pradesh on Saturday reported 541 new COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths, taking its tally to 17,135 and the death toll to 529.
DDMA Approves Recommendations of Expert Committee to Fix Rates of Beds
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has approved the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Committee to fix the rates of beds for COVID-19 patients, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said on Saturday.
The rates for isolation beds, ICUs without and with ventilators in hospitals have been capped at Rs 8,000-10000, Rs 13,000-15,000 and Rs 15,000-18000 respectively.
The rates approved by the High-Level Expert Committee would be applicable to all the COVID-19 beds up to the upper limit of 60 percent of the total bed capacity of private hospitals, the LG said.
Hours After Rajya Sabha Elections, MP BJP MLA Tests COVID-19 Positive
Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Omprakash Saklecha has tested positive for COVID-19, just hours after he cast his vote for the Rajya Sabha polls held on Friday, reports said.
The MLA had given his sample on Friday afternoon, reported NDTV, with his positive report, along with that of his wife, coming out later in the day.
On Saturday, five other BJP MLAs, who were in touch with Saklecha, also got themselves tested in Bhopal, reported The Indian Express.
Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad to Not be Held: Gujarat HC
The Gujarat High Court on Saturday ordered that Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra that was scheduled to take place on 23 June in Ahmedabad will not be held in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported ANI.