About 25.5% of adults in India, 45.1% of those aged above 45 and 48.1% of people aged above 60, were administered with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, until 8 p.m. on June 22. While 17.5% of the country’s population has received at least one dose, only 3.8% are fully vaccinated. The figures are based on the estimated population in 2021.
Also read | Explained: What is the Delta plus variant?
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:
Jharkhand extends lockdown-like restrictions till July 1
The Jharkhand government on Wednesday extended the lockdown-like restrictions till July 1, as per an official notification.
This is the seventh time that the COVID-related curbs, first imposed in the state on April 22 for a week, were extended. The ongoing measures were scheduled to end on June 24.
"The provisions...related to observance of Swasthya Suraksha Saptah in the context of Covid-19 shall stand extended from 6 am on June 24 till 6 am on July 1, 2021," the notification issued by the Disaster Management Division said.
"We have taken the decision to extend the Health Safety Week for another week as we are not out of danger and there is a possibility of a third wave," Chief Minister Hemant Soren said.
The prevailing restrictions will continue with no new curbs or relaxations announced, a state government official said. Last week, some relaxations were announced, including the opening of shopping malls and departmental stores till 4 pm.
Inter-state and intra-state bus transport shall remain prohibited, except for the buses specifically used by the district administration.
E-passes will remain mandatory for inter-state and inter-district movement in private vehicles but for movement within a district, no e-passes will be required.
Religious places will remain closed and so will be the educational institutions. - PTI
Heartening to note vaccination in rural areas: Venkaiah
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said it was heartening to note that three out of five people vaccinated as part of the COVID-19 inoculation drive on June 21 were from rural areas, where the majority of the country's population resides.
According to the government, of the record 88.09 lakh vaccine doses administered on June 21, when the revised guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination came into effect, nearly 64 per cent of the jabs were given in rural areas.
"It is heartening to note that 3/5 persons vaccinated in the stepped up drive on Monday were from rural areas, where the majority of population resides. My compliments to the Centre and various states for working in a coordinated manner in a truly 'Team India' spirit," the Vice President Secretariat quoted Naidu as saying in a tweet on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. — PTI
No sufficient data on Delta Plus variant: Task force member
Maharashtra COVID-19 task force member Shashank Joshi on Wednesday said there is no sufficient data available to be alarmed about the 'Delta Plus' variant of coronavirus.
Delta variant ‘greatest threat’ to U.S.’ COVID-19 efforts, says Dr. Fauci
He also said people need to adhere to COVID-19 prevention guidelines and wear masks, avoid crowds and get vaccinated.
Notably, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday said 21 cases of the Delta Plus variant, considered highly infectious, have been found in the state so far, including nine in Ratnagiri, seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai, and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts.
Dr. Joshi in a tweet on Wednesday said, "Variant of concern, vaccine and Panic. Delta plus variant of concern does not have sufficient data to be alarmed except that we must continue our strict COVID appropriate behaviour with double mask, avoid crowds and continue vaccination.” “Delta plus virulence unknown, transmission may be more,” he added.
No sufficient data to be alarmed about Delta Plus variant: Maharashtra COVID-19 task force member
India adds 50,848 new COVID-19 cases
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the three crore mark with one crore infections being added in 50 days.
The total tally mounted to 3,00,28,709 with 50,848 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 3,90,660 with 1,358 fresh fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday June 23, 2021.
India' total COVID-19 infections had surpassed the one crore mark on December 19 after which it took around 136 days to cross the two crore mark on May 4.
According to the data published at 7 am, India administered 54.24 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative doses to 29.46 crore The active cases further declined to 6,43,194 comprising 2.14 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 96.56 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. A net decline of 19,327 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
As many as 19,01,056 tests were conducted on Tuesday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 39,59,73,198.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.67 per cent . It has been less than five per cent for 16 consecutive days, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 3.12 per cent. — PTI
Quick vaccination vital: V.K. Paul
Quick vaccination is key to opening the economy and going back to normal, said Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. V. K. Paul, speaking to DD News, according to a release issued by the Health Ministry on Tuesday.
The Ministry said India now aimed to vaccinate at least one crore people a day.
Quick vaccination vital: V.K. Paul
Delta variant ‘greatest threat’ to U.S.’ COVID-19 efforts, says Dr. Fauci
The highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus is the “greatest threat” to America’s attempt to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic, White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned.
Speaking at a White House briefing on COVID-19 on Tuesday, Dr. Fauci said the variant, which was first identified in India, now makes up more than 20% of all new cases in the U.S., a significant increase from nearly 10% two weeks ago.
Delta variant ‘greatest threat’ to U.S.’ COVID-19 efforts, says Dr. Fauci
Plea for 100% procurement by Centre
An application has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Central government’s policy to allow 25% of the domestically manufactured COVID-19 vaccines to be procured by private hospitals.
Plea for 100% procurement by Centre
Special drive to inoculate those who missed Covaxin 2nd dose
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is organising a special vaccination drive on June 23 and 24 for those who missed their second dose of Covaxin.
A total of 62,050 Covaxin doses reserved for this initiative would be sent to all GCC vaccination centres. Those who did not get their second dose within the window of four to six weeks could visit the centres to get vaccinated.
Special drive to inoculate those who missed Covaxin 2nd dose
(With inputs from our Correspondents and agencies)
