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A view of NH24, Delhi. (Credits: PTI)
NEW DELHI: India recorded more than 4,000 new cases, an increase of 6.9% in one day, on Sunday, taking the total number of cases of coronavirus infection in the country above 67,152. The death toll in the country was 2,206, according to state government reports. Meanwhile, the number of people who have recovered from the disease has risen to 20,917, which is 31% of all cases, the highest proportion so far.
Here are the latest developments:
#PIBFactCheck: No proposal to cut central government employee wages
There is no proposal under government consideration for any cut in the existing salary of any category of central government employees. The reports in some section of the media are false and have no basis, the finance ministry said in a tweet on Monday. The Indian Press Office also conducted a fact check and confirmed that the reports of wage cuts by Central employees in some media reports were incorrect. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh urged people to ignore the false news.
National Technology Day: PM greets Covid-19 researchers
On Monday, on National Technology Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted all who were at the forefront of research and innovation to defeat the coronavirus and recalled the “exceptional achievement” of the country’s scientists in conducting of the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. National Technology Day marks the anniversary of the underground nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran of Rajasthan. The Prime Minister said: “Today, technology is assisting many in efforts to rid the world of COVID-19. I greet all who are at the forefront of research and innovation on ways to defeat the coronavirus.”
Prime Minister’s meeting with chief ministers to be held on Monday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a long open discussion, which can last for several hours on Monday, with senior ministers in the next steps of a gradual exit from the shutdown. The talks will take note of the continued increase in Covid-19 cases, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, as they consider measures to increase the pace of economic activities. It is also likely to be debated about the continued return of migrant workers to their home states and the problems this can cause in restarting the economy.
Eastern states feel the impact of returned migrants
Eastern states began to feel the impact of the return of migrant workers, and West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar together reported 321 new cases on Sunday. While Maharashtra reported that the lion’s share of Mumbai only represents 875, the pandemic continued to increase in Tamil Nadu (669 new cases), Gujarat (398) and Delhi (381).
Maharashtra reports highest death toll in a single day
Maharashtra also reported its highest single-day death toll of 53, bringing the state’s total death toll to 832. Delhi recorded five more deaths from Covid-19, while 381 new cases were reported. With new cases, the Covid-19 count in the national capital has risen to 6,923.
Rajasthan CM seeks suggestions from MLAs, MPs
Rajasthan Prime Minister Ashok Gehlot held a video conference with MLAs and state MPs on Sunday and sought their suggestions. In the video conference, which lasted almost 12 hours, Gehlot held talks with MLAs and MPs from the Udaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Kota divisions on issues related to the pandemic. Except for the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, legislators from all parties and independents from five divisions attended the video conference.
Sushil Modi writes to Sitharaman seeking grants for Bihar
In view of declining state revenue amid the coronavirus outbreak, Bihar’s deputy prime minister, Sushil Kumar Modi, wrote to the Union’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, asking him to release the recommended Rs 7,434 million grant by the 15th Finance Commission, within this quarter of the current fiscal year. He asked him to release Rs 5,018 crore for the Panchayati Raj institutions and Rs 2,416 crore for the local urban agencies for the financial year 2020-21. If the amount is released in the first quarter of the fiscal year, it will be helpful for the government to implement the potable water project and the drainage scheme, the state finance minister said in his letter.
South Korea struggles to contain Seoul outbreak
South Korean officials struggled Monday to contain a new coronavirus outbreak that threatens to spread throughout the densely populated capital city of Seoul, prompting the country to reconsider plans to reopen schools. Authorities reported 35 new infections across the country as of midnight Sunday, the second consecutive day of new cases of that magnitude and the highest numbers in more than a month, reinforcing fears that the country could be entering a second wave outbreak.
Italy registers its lowest account since March
Italy has recorded its lowest total of new daily COVID-19 cases since the start of the national blockade in early March. According to data from the Ministry of Health, 802 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the 24-hour period that ended Sunday night. That is also the first time that daily new cases have dropped below 1,000 since very early in the country’s outbreak. Italy now totals 219,070 known cases. There were 165 deaths from the virus since Saturday night, bringing the number of known deaths of infected patients to 30,560.
Shanghai Disneyland reopens, China reports 17 cases
Shanghai Disneyland, China’s most prominent theme park, reopened on Monday with antivirus checks even as the country reported 17 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, including seven imported infections, authorities said on Monday. The Shanghai Disneyland theme park in the eastern metropolis reopened to controlled capacity visitors on Monday. This is the first of six Disneyland theme parks in the world to have been reopened since the Covid-19 crash.
Pakistan’s coronavirus count reaches 30,429
The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 30,429, with the appearance of almost 1,300 new infections, while the number of deaths was 661, it was reported Monday. The country recorded its highest number of cases over three consecutive days with the government lifting the coronavirus-induced blockade in phases. Punjab has reported 11,093 cases, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 4,669 cases, Balochistan’s provincial count was 2,017, 442 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 87 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
United Kingdom: Moderate easing of restrictions announced
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced moderate relief from the country’s coronavirus blockade on Sunday and outlined his government’s roadmap to further lift the restrictions in the coming months. In a televised address to the nation, Johnson said people in Britain who cannot work from home, such as those who work in construction or manufacturing jobs, “ should be actively encouraged to go to work ” this week. He said that as of Wednesday, a restriction will be lifted that limits outdoor exercise to once a day and that people will be able to take “ unlimited amounts. ”
In Japan, the pandemic brings outbreaks of bullying, ostracism
The coronavirus in Japan has brought not only an epidemic of infections, but also an avalanche of intimidation and discrimination against the sick, their families and health workers. A government campaign to raise awareness appears to be helping, at least for medical workers. But only limited progress was made to counter harassment and avoidance that can discourage people from seeking evidence and care and hinder the battle against the pandemic.
(With contributions from agencies)
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