As the number of coronavirus cases in the country continue to climb, the Union Health Ministry has asked all the States and Union Territories to ensure that contacts of at least 80% of new COVID19 cases are traced and quarantined within 72 hours of confrmation.
India has registered over 7.69 lakh coronavirus cases and more than 21,000 deaths till date.
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:
2.15 pm | West Bengal
IIM Calcutta to start academic year in online mode from August
IIM Calcutta has announced that it will start the academic year in the online mode from August.
Starting August 2020, new as well as returning students of the flagship MBA programme will attend classes digitally from the safety of their homes, the premier institute said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As we reopen in the online mode, it is equally important that we sustain our academic rigour and preserve our unique teaching and learning experience,” Director of IIM Calcutta, Prof Anju Seth said.
2.00 pm | Delhi
One tower in Vasant Vihar’s CBI colony declared as COVID-19 containment zone
The authorities have declared one of the towers in the CBI colony in Vasant Vihar here a COVID-19 containment zone after an agency official and his family members tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked at least 12 officials living in the area to avoid office during the self-quarantine period as a precautionary measure.
1.45 pm | Puducherry
Complete lockdown in Puducherry on Sundays?
The Health Department has strongly recommended a complete lockdown on Sundays, starting this week, to break the chain of transmission in view of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Union Territory.
“The day-to-day spike is still unpredictable but we are definitely witnessing a gradual increase in the number of cases in the last two to three weeks. So we have strongly recommended lockdown on Sundays to break the chain of transmission. We expect detailed guidelines to be issued by the district administration shortly,” a senior Health Department official told The Hindu. – Rajesh B. Nair
1.30 pm | Karnataka
Safari at Kabini backwaters suspended due to surge in COVID-19 cases
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the district, the authorities have suspended safari at the Kabini backwaters which is among the most popular spots for wildlife afficionados and tourists.
Kabini backwaters — best known for wildlife sightings — in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district abuts both Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves and was reopened for tourists only last month as part of the graded unlocking that commenced on June 8th. But Mysuru is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 positive cases since the last few days. There were 59 positive cases and 1 death reported on Wednesday while there are 253 active cases in all.
1.10 pm | Tamil Nadu
Villupuram town declared containment zone, entry and exit points sealed
The district administration has put in place more restrictions in Villupuram town, in the wake of the recent spurt in COVID-19 cases. The administration has sealed the entire Villupuram town as part of the strict implementation of lockdown measures, and to prevent the spread of the infection.
Official sources said that the entire town had been declared a containment zone and all the 32 entry and exit points to Villupuram sealed. Areas surrounding Villupuram town such as Mambalampattu, Ellischathiram, Janakipuram, Vira