India on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day jump of 507 COVID-19 deaths. Close to 4 lakh cases were recorded in June, making it the worst month for the country prompting some States to go for varying degrees of lockdown.
Also read: Use of rapid antigen testing expanded to provide quick results, govt. tells HC
Here is a list of State Helpline numbers. You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here.
Here are the latest updates:
2: 20 p.m. | Pakistan
Pakistan’s COVID-19 tally reaches 2,17,809
Pakistan reported 4,339 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 2,17,809, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The country also reported 78 deaths due to the disease, taking the COVID-19 death toll to 4,473. A total of 2,723 patients were in critical condition, the ministry said.
As many as 1,04,694 patients have recovered so far, making it almost half of the total cases in the country, it said.
— PTI
2: 15 p.m. | New Delhi
Set up helpline for complaints of lack of PPE kits, masks in private hospitals: Delhi HC suggests to AAP govt.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday suggested that the AAP government set up a mechanism like a helpline on which healthcare workers can call anonymously to complain against private hospitals or nursing homes not providing N-95 masks and PPE kits.
The suggestion came from a bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan during the hearing of a PIL by an NGO which has alleged that nurses in private hospitals and nursing homes were not being provided proper personal protection equipment (PPE) kits and masks to guard against COVID-19 infection.
— PTI
2: 05 p.m. | New Delhi
HRD Ministry forms panel to review situation for conduct of NEET, JEE
Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said on Thursday that a panel will review the situation for conducting medical and engineering entrance exams NEET and JEE amid concerns over spike in COVID-19 cases.
Parents and students have raised concerns about conducting the exams in July.
“Looking at the prevailing circumstances and requests received from students & parents appearing for JEE and NEEET examinations, a committee consisting of officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and other experts has been advised to review the situation and submit its recommendations latest by tomorrow,” Nishank said.
— PTI
Looking at the prevailing circumstances & requests received from students & parents appearing for #JEE & #NEET examinations, a committee consisting of @DG_NTA & other experts has been advised to review the situation & submit its recommendations to @HRDMinistry latest by tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/xByKLUqAIc
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 2, 2020
2: 00 p.m.
Does wearing a mask pose any health risks?
Does wearing a mask pose any health risks? No, not for most people. Babies and toddlers should not wear masks because they could suffocate. The same goes for anyone who has trouble removing a mask without help.
Others can wear masks without risking their health, according to experts, despite false rumours to the contrary.
In areas where COVID-19 is spreading, health experts agree that wearing masks or other face coverings in public helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus when people can’t socially distance by staying 6 feet apart.
— AP
1: 55 p.m.| Singapore
Singapore reports 188 new COVID-19 cases
Singapore reported 188 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, majority of them foreign workers living in dormitories, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 44,310, according to the health ministry.
The new cases include 10 new community infections, comprising eight Singaporeans (citizens) or permanent residents (foreigners) and two foreigners on work passes but living outside the dormitories.
— PTI
1: 45 p.m.| Maharashtra
Maharashtra: Curfew in Beed to contain spread of COVID-19
Curfew has been imposed in Maharashtra’s Beed city for eight days in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, officials said.
Only essential and emergency services will be allowed to operate during the period, as per an order issued on Wednesday by Beed Collector Rahul Rekhawar.
According to the order, the curfew will remain in force till July 8 midnight.
— PTI
1: 40 p.m. | South Africa
South Africa reports highest daily toll of cases
South Africa is reporting another record daily number of 8,124 coronavirus cases.
The country has the most cases in Africa with more than 159,000, as what had been one of the world’s strictest lockdowns continues to loosen.
— AP
1: 35 p.m. | Washington
Donald Trump plans huge July 4 fireworks show despite D.C.’s concerns
President Donald Trump’s July Fourth celebration on the National Mall will feature one of the largest fireworks displays ever and as many as 3,00,000 face masks will be given away to those who want them – but despite health concerns from D.C.’s mayor, no one apparently will be required to wear them.
Mr. Trump made no mention of the masks or of the pandemic overall in a tweet on Wednesday on his Independence Day plans. He thanked corporate donors for supporting “what will, without question, be a special evening.”
— AP
1: 30 p.m. | Odisha
COVID-19 death toll rises to 27 in Odisha
Odisha reported two more COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday, taking the death toll due to the disease to 27 in the state, while the total tally rose to 7,545 with 229 fresh cases, a health department official said.
Two men, aged 49 and 57, succumbed to the disease at the COVID hospitals in Ganjam and Angul districts, he said.
“Regret to inform the deaths of two COVID positive patients, while under treatment in hospitals,” the official said.
— PTI
1: 25 p.m. | London
Scientists use weather forecasting technique to predict COVID-19 spread
Scientists have employed methods normally used to forecast weather to predict how rapidly COVID-19 could spread in different countries as lockdown is eased, as well as assess the effectiveness of measures put in place.
An international team, including meteorologists from the University of Reading in the U.K., applied data assimilation, a technique that combines multiple sources of information to estimate how a situation will develop over time, to the pandemic.
— PTI
1: 20 p.m.| Tamil Nadu
Make COVID-19 testing mandatory for cancer wards, says Ramadoss
PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Thursday urged the State government to direct cancer wards at both government and private hospitals to do COVID-19 tests for patients, prior to their admission.
In a statement, he noted that when people from small towns and villages get fever and go to nearby health centres for check-ups, COVID-19 testin