Coronavirus News Highlights: Delta Plus is a variant of interest, says Niti Aayog member V K Paul

India's downward trend of Covid-19 continued as the country reported 60,471 infections and 2,726 deaths on Tuesday. Karnataka and 5 other states in India identified the presence of a Delta plus variant. On the global front, the United States crossed the 6 lakh mark for Covid-19 deaths as it remained the country with the highest number of fatalities due to the coronavirus. Stay tuned to DH for more updates.

Chandigarh eases Covid-19 restrictions, shops to remain open till 7 pm

“All shops will remain open from 10 am to 7 pm. Shop owners will ensure that Covid protocol is duly followed,” an official statement said.

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Bengaluru reports less than 1,000 new Covid-19 cases for first time in 2 months

For the first time in two months, Bengaluru logged less than 1,000 new Covid-19 cases, as Karnataka on Tuesday reported 5,041 fresh infections and 115 deaths, taking the tally to 27.77 lakh and the toll to 33,148. The day also saw 14,785 discharges, continuing to outnumber the fresh cases, taking the total number of recoveries in the state so far to 25,81,559.

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In Pic | A worker wearing a PPE suit sanitizes the sitting area in a restaurant that reopened after authorities eased some restrictions and extended Covid-19 induced lockdown till June 30, in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

Delta plus is a variant of interest, not a variant of concern, says VK Paul

The newly reportedDeltaplusstrain of SARS-CoV-2 is only a “variantof interest” at the moment and not a “variantof concern” because not much is known about its transmissibility and virulence, NITI Ayog member Vinod Paul said on Tuesday.

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Unvaccinated in Pakistan? You may lose your cellphone service

Taking a cue from Pakistan's Punjab province, the Sindh government on Tuesday announced that it would block the mobile SIM cards of those who refuse to take the Covid-19 vaccines, according to a media report on Tuesday.

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Punjab reports 642 new Covid-19 cases, 38 deaths and 1,691 discharges today; the number of active cases in the state is 10,802.

Rajasthan govt imposes weekend curfew started from Saturday 5 pm to Monday 5 am. The state will observe a curfew between 5 pm and 5 am every day.

Maharashtra reports 9,350 new Covid-19 cases

Maharashtra reports 9,350 new Covid-19 cases, 15,176 discharges and 388 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Active cases: 1,38,361
Total recoveries: 56,69,179
Death toll: 1,14,154

UP reduces night curfew timings by two hours from next week; Restaurants, malls allowed at 50 pc capacity

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to give relaxation of two more hours during the night 'corona curfew' across the state from June 21 with the improvement in the Covid-19 situation.

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Crowds throng markets as Delhi unlocks; Experts warn of disastrous third wave

With masks on their chins and a disregard for social distancing, a large number of people are stepping out of their homes in Delhi which is witnessing a phase-wise unlocking of Covid-19 lockdown, prompting doctors to warn about a possibly disastrous third wave of infection.

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Karnataka records 5,041 new Covid-19 cases, 115 deaths, and 14,785 recoveries today; active cases at 1,62,282. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu reports 11,805 new Covid-19 cases, 23,207 recoveries, and 267 deaths today; active cases at 1,25,215.

Tamil Nadu prepares for possible third Covid-19 wave

Although experts are divided in their opinion on a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tamil Nadu government has decided not to dismantle the infrastructure created to handle the huge rush of patients in the past two months.

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Relaxation in lockdown will be allowed on basis of test positivity rate under local self-govt bodies. Local bodies with below 8% test positivity rate to function normally with restrictions, to be allowed to open shops: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

TMC workers distribute free food to needy people during the ongoing Covid-induced lockdown, in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

Uttarakhand reports 274 new Covid-19 cases, 18 deaths and 515 recoveries today; case tally reaches 3,37,449.

Kerala reports 12,246 new Covid-19 cases

Kerala reports 12,246 new Covid-19 cases, 13,536 recoveries and 166 deaths today.

Active cases: 1,12,361
Death toll: 11,508

Delhi reports 228 new Covid-19 cases, 364 recoveries and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Assam's 'vaccine man' goes from door to door to create awareness on efficacy of jabs

With the Centre and the state having stepped up the Covid-19 vaccination drive, a 36-year- old man in Assam's Dhubri district has taken it upon himself to convince people, especially those from the underprivileged sections, about the efficacy of the jabs amid reports that many were hesitant to get themselves inoculated.

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How a tribal school in Kerala offers regular classes amidst Covid-19

While all government schools and colleges in Kerala as well as many states are remaining shut owing to Covid, one primary school situated in a remote tribal village is conducting regular classes.

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Goa records 327 new Covid-19 cases, 10 deaths, and 548 recoveries today; active cases at 4,175.

Punjab to begin vaccination of teachers, non-teaching staff and students in 18-45 age group from all schools and colleges from June 21.

As Covid-19 positivity declines to 2%, Punjab govt orders relaxations from tomorrow

As Covid-19 positivity declines to 2%, Punjab govt orders relaxations from tomorrow; Restaurants, dhabas, cinemas, gyms etc to open at 50% capacity, subject to all their employees have received at least one dose of vaccination. Bars/clubs/ahatas to stay shut.Night curfew to be in place daily in the state from 8 pm to 5 am, and weekend curfew from 8 pm Saturday to 5 am Monday, as the state moves towards partial reopening.

Andhra Pradesh reports 5,741 new Covid-19 cases, 53 deaths, and 10,567 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

Delta Plus is a variant of interest: Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog

Delta Plus is a variant of interest. It has not yet been classified as a variant of concern. As per data available in the public domain, this variant nullifies the use of a monoclonal antibody. We will study and learn more about this variant: Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog. (ANI)

Mumbai's Dharavi records zero cases of Covid-19 for the second day. Active cases stand at 11, as per the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. (ANI)

CM B S Yediyurappa hints at further relaxation in Covid-19 restrictions in Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday indicated that there will be further relaxation in lockdown restrictions in the state after June 21, when the current Covid-19 guidelines come to an end.

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'Sputnik V is more efficient against the Delta variant of coronavirus'

Sputnik V is more efficient against the Delta variant of coronavirus, first detected in India than any other vaccine that published results on this strain so far - the Gamaleya Center study submitted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal: Sputnik V.

In the age group of 1-10 years, 3.28% of children contracted Covid-19 infection in the first wave while 3.05% during the second wave. 8.03% got infected in 11-20 years of age group in the first wave and 8.5% in the second wave: Lav Agarwal.

Almost 85% decline has been seen in daily cases since the highest reported peak. We are witnessing this situation after 75 days, thus indicating an overall decline in infection rate: Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry on Covid-19 situation.

Haj Committee of India cancels all applications for Haj 2021

Astra’s antibody fails to prevent Covid-19 symptoms in study

AstraZeneca Plc’s antibody cocktail was only 33% effective at preventing Covid-19 symptoms in people who had been exposed to the virus, failing a study that was key to the drugmaker’s pandemic push.

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MP: 'Fake' Favimax tablets seized from Gwalior wholesaler; Thousands may be in circulation, says official

Authorities seized a consignment of allegedly spurious Favimax tablets used in the Covid-19 treatment from a wholesaler here in Madhya Pradesh following an input given by the Odisha government, an official said on Tuesday.

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Julius Baer pledges Rs 10 crore for Covid-19 relief efforts in India

Global wealth management major Julius Baer has announced a $1.4-million (around Rs 10.3 crore) commitment to support Covid-19 relief efforts, which will primarily go to nonprofits to help the needy households in the country hit by the second wave of the pandemic.

Centre confirms first death following Covid-19 vaccination

A government panel studying Covid-19 vaccine side effects has confirmed the first death due to anaphylaxis following vaccination.

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Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccines protect against Delta variant: Lancet study

The Delta variant of coronavirus, first identified in India, doubles the risk of hospitalisation compared with the Alpha variant first found in the UK, but Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines provide good protection against the strain, says a study published in The Lancet journal.

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Malaysia PM announces exit strategy from Covid-19 crisis

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Tuesday announced a plan for a phased recovery and exit strategy from the country's coronavirus crisis and said cases continued to be on the decline.

Muhyiddin also announced that 16 more doses of Covid-19 vaccine had been secured for delivery by the end of July. - Reuters

Emirates posts $5.5 billion loss for the first time in over 30 years

The Middle East's largest airline, Emirates, announced on Tuesday a net loss of $5.5 billion over the past year as revenue fell by more than 66% due to global travel restrictions sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.

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The supply price of Covaxin to Govt of India at Rs 150/dose, is a non-competitive price & clearly not sustainable in the long run. Hence a higher price in private markets is required to offset part of the costs: Bharat Biotech - ANI

Doctors warn of Covid 'explosion' as Delhi defies rules

In national capital of New Delhi, thousands of commuters crowded into underground train stations and shopping malls on Tuesday, prompting some doctors to warn it could lead to a resurgence in Covid-19 infections.

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Liquor not to be served in hotels, restaurants in Delhi

Booze lovers will have to wait for some more days before they could enjoy drinks at their favourite spots, as serving liquor at bars in hotels, clubs and restaurants in the city is yet not allowed, clarified Excise department.

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Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccines protect against Delta variant: Lancet study

The Delta variant of coronavirus, first identified in India, doubles the risk of hospitalisation compared with the Alpha variant first found in the UK, but Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines provide good protection against the strain, says a study published in The Lancet journal.

Researchers at Public Health Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, UK, found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine offered better protection against the Delta variant compared to the Oxford-AstraZeneca preventive, known as Covishield in India.

AstraZeneca says antibody treatment failed in preventing Covid-19 in exposed patients

Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Tuesday a study of its monoclonal antibody treatment, AZD7442, did not meet the main goal of preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in people recently exposed to the novel coronavirus.

The company said the participants in the trial were unvaccinated adults older than 18 years with confirmed exposure to a person with the coronavirus within the past eight days.

AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing symptomatic Covid-19 by 33% compared to a placebo, which was not statistically significant, the company reported. - Reuters.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announces relaxations in Covid restrictions; shops allowed to open till 6 pm

Is a hybrid Covid strain behind Vietnam’s latest wave?

We recently heard a new “hybrid variant” of thecoronavirushas been detected in Vietnam, amid a spike in cases in the country.

The variant was originally described as a hybrid of the UK (now Alpha) and Indian (now Kappa B.1.617.1 and Delta B.1.617.2) strains of the virus. But what does this actually mean? And if we look at the science behind virus behaviour, is a hybrid really what we’re seeing?

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Tokyo Olympics organisers roll out final editions of Covid rule books

IOC Vice President John Coates arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, the same day that organisers and the International Olympic Committee were set to roll out the third and final edition of their so-called Playbooks.

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Oxygen Express with 98 tonnes of oxygen reaches B'luru

The thirty-fifth "Oxygen Express" carrying 98.09 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), in 6 cryogenic containers has reached the city, the South Western Railway said on Tuesday.

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It was being suspected that UP will have over 1 Lakh daily positive cases between 25th April & 15th May. It was being suspected that UP will have over 30 lakh active cases by the end of May. That UP has only 7,200 active cases & has reported only 340 positive cases today: UP CM. - ANI.

Japan to ship 1 mln Covid-19 vaccines to Vietnam on June 16

Japan will send 1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday.

The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters.

Japan is considering additional vaccine donations to Vietnam and Taiwan, and it plans to send doses to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand early next month, Motegi added. Taiwan received its first shipment of AstraZeneca doses earlier this month. - Reuters.

This Sherpa guide uses savings to help colleagues during Covid-19 pandemic

Nepal normally has two trekking seasons each year — spring and autumn — when the majority of foreigners come to hike the trails that cut through the country's snow-capped peaks.

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Olympics organisers to unveil "playbook" as IOC's Coates arrives in Tokyo

Olympics organisers prepared on Tuesday to unveil their latest "playbook" of rules to control Covid-19 infections as Japan's government pondered whether to extend a state of emergency and senior Olympics official John Coates arrived in Tokyo.

Coates, a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its point-man for the event, sparked a backlash last month when he said the Games would go ahead even if Tokyo were under a state of emergency due to the pandemic. - Reuters

'Only a quarter of BSL4 labs score high on safety'

Did the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 result from high-risk research gone wrong? Regardless of the answer, the risk of future pandemics originating from research with dangerous pathogens is real.

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Covid-19 has created an 'ecosystem' of innovation in India: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

The ongoing Covid-19 public health crisis has resulted in the creation of an "ecosystem" of innovation in India, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has said ahead of the annual India-US bio-pharma summit in Boston next week.

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India logs 60,471 new Covid-19 cases; 2,726 deaths in 24 hours

India's daily Covid-19 cases continued to decline as the country saw 60,471 infectionsand 2,726deaths in the past 24 hours, data published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare showed.

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US Covid-19 deaths cross 6 lakh-mark as country reopens

The United States has now lost over 6,00,000 mothers, fathers, children, siblings and friends to Covid-19, a painful reminder that death, sickness and grief continue even as the country begins to return to something resembling pre-pandemic normal.

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Two Covid-19 jabs mostly prevent hospitalisation with Delta variant: UK body

Two doses of Covid-19 vaccines are "highly effective" in preventing hospital admission with the Delta variant, Public Health England said on Monday.

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Enhanced Delta+ Covid-19 variant seen in Karnataka, five other states

A dangerous new Covid-19 variant that is potentially resistant to certain drugs has been found in Karnataka and other states with experts stressing the need for close monitoring of the situation.

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