India took issue with the European Union’s plans to institute a “green pass” from July 1, with government sources warning that India will introduce a “reciprocal policy” only allowing ease of travel for those European countries that recognise Indian vaccines Covishield and Covaxin.
Also read: Hope to resolve Covishield-EU issue soon, says Adar Poonawalla
The latest twist to the controversy of the European Union’s Digital Covid Certificate came a day after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his EU counterpart High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Delta variant to become dominant strain: WHO
The World Health Organization has said the Delta variant of COVID-19 is now present in nearly 100 countries as per conservative estimates, and warned that in the coming months the highly transmissible strain will become the dominant variant of the coronavirus globally.
In its COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, the WHO said as of June 29, 2021, "96 countries have reported cases of the Delta variant, though this is likely an underestimate as sequencing capacities needed to identify variants are limited. A number of these countries are attributing surges in infections and hospitalisations to this variant." Given the increase in transmissibility, the WHO warned that the Delta variant is "expected to rapidly outcompete other variants and become the dominant variant over the coming months."
The world body noted that the tools that exist today to combat the coronavirus — individual, community level-public health and social measures, infection prevention and control measures that have been used since the beginning of the pandemic — remain effective against current variants of concern (VOCs), including the Delta variant.
"Although the increased transmissibility of VOCs (Variants of Concern) means that measures may need to be maintained for longer periods of time, particularly in a context of low vaccination coverage, these measures must be targeted, time-bound, reinforced and supported by member states," it added. — PTI
Delta variant to become dominant strain of COVID-19 in coming months: WHO
National recovery rate improved to 96.97%: Ministry
India added 48,786 new cases of coronavirus taking the total tally to 3,04,11,634, while the national recovery rate improved to 96.97 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
The COVID-19 death toll rose to 3,99,459 with 1,005 fresh fatalities.
According to the data published at 7 am, cumulatively 33.57 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. The active cases have further declined to 5,23,257 comprising 1.72 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 96.97 per cent.
As many as 19,21,450 tests were conducted on Wednesday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 41,20,21,494.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.54 per cent . It has been less than five per cent for 24 consecutive days, the Ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 2.64 per cent.
Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 49th consecutive day.The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,94,88,918, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.31 per cent, the data stated. — PTI
Zydus Cadila seeks emergency use approval of COVID-19 vaccine
Drugmaker Zydus Cadila said on Thursday it has applied to the country’s drug regulator for emergency use approval of its COVID-19 vaccine,which showed a 66.6% efficacy against positive cases in an interim analysis.
The candidate, if approved, would become India’s second successful home-grown COVID-19 shot and help ease the country’s severe vaccine shortage.
Zydus Cadila seeks emergency use approval of COVID-19 vaccine
‘No scientific evidence found linking Covid vaccination with infertility’
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said that there is no scientific evidence suggesting COVID-19 vaccination can cause infertility in men and women and asserted the vaccines have been found to be safe and effective.
It further said that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has also recommended Covid vaccination for all lactating women, terming it as safe with no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the inoculation.
No scientific evidence found linking Covid vaccination with infertility: Government
U.S. needs to send critical medical supplies to India: Raja Krishnamoorthi
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has welcomed the unanimous passage of a House resolution that urged the Biden administration to send critical medical supplies to India amid the second wave of coronavirus.
Mr. Krishnamoorthi applauded the passage of the resolution, which he co-sponsored, recognising the devastating impact of COVID-19 in India.
As a member of the India Caucus, Congressman Krishnamoorthi supports U/S/ efforts to mitigate the pandemic on a global scale, especially in countries most impacted, such as India.
U.S. needs to send critical medical supplies to India: Raja Krishnamoorthi
No tourist entry in Kodagu
The Kodagu district administration has taken a serious note of the hospitality sector encouraging entry of tourists despite the district continuing to be under lockdown till July 5 in view of the prevailing pandemic situation.
Despite drop in cases, COVID-19 cases haven’t come under full control in the hill district. Minister for Health and Medical Education K. Sudhakar reviewed the COVID-19 situation in Madikeri on Tuesday and suggested to restrict tourism as a precautionary measure to contain the spread.
No tourist entry in Kodagu until restrictions are lifted
After losing a parent to COVID, many lose out on aid too
Laxman*, a young boy from Munipally mandal, lost his father to COVID-19 recently. However, he could not manage to obtain a certificate that showed coronavirus as the cause of death. Consequently, he became ineligible for various benefits being offered by the government to such bereaved persons.
So, that begs the question: has the government efforts to reduce the official number of COVID deaths hit families of those who succumbed to the infection? It is a firm ‘yes’ from officials who do not wish to be quoted.
After losing a parent to COVID, many lose out on aid too
(With inputs from our Correspondents and agencies)
