(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

Updates on Covid-19 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; ICMR’s sero-surveillance study reveals only 0.73% of the sample population infected with COVID-19

The sero-surveillance study conducted by ICMR has revealed that 0.73% of the population surveyed showed evidence of past exposure to SARS-CoV-2. This was stated by Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR, during the media briefing, here today. The study also clearly points out that the measures taken during the lockdown have been successful in keeping the transmission low and in preventing rapid spread of COVID-19. ICMR has calculated that compared to rural areas, risk of spread is 1.09 times higher in urban areas and 1.89 times higher in urban slums. The infection fatality rate is very low at 0.08%. This only means that a large portion of the population must continue following COVID appropriate behaviour suggested by from time to time.

During the last 24 hours, a total of 5,823 COVID-19 patients have been cured. Thus, so far, a total of 1,41,028 patients have been cured of COVID-19. The recovery rate amongst COVID-19 patients is 49.21%.  India currently has 1,37,448 active cases which are all under active medical supervision. At present, the number of patients recovered exceeds the number of active patients

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness for Covid-19 management in Maharashtra through video conferencing

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare held a high level meeting today (via Video Conferencing) with Shri Rajesh Tope, Health Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Amit Deshmukh, Medical Education Minister of Maharashtra and DMs of COVID-19 affected districts of Maharashtra. Dr Harsh Vardhan highlighted the need for strengthening human resource for contact tracing; logistics enhancement like including ICU beds with ventilators, beds with facility available for oxygen supplementation etc; ensuring transport for healthcare workers; and strengthening Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities to reduce community resistance and counselling of high risk contacts.

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PM addresses Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Annual Plenary Session 2020

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address of the 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) through video conferencing here today. Referring to the war against the COVID-19 Pandemic Prime Minister said India is putting up a brave front along with the entire world. He said the country is also facing various other problems arising out of disasters like locust attacks, hailstorms, Oil Rig Fires, series of mini earthquakes and two cyclones, but that the nation is fighting these problems in unison. Prime Minister said that such difficult times have made India more resolute. He said that determination, will power and unity are the strength of the nation which makes the country to fight all the crises. He said that any crisis provides us with an opportunity to turn it into a turning point to build a self- reliant India (AatmaNirbhar Bharat).

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ICC के 95 वें वार्षिक सत्र के उद्घाटन के अवसर पर प्रधानमंत्री के संबोधन का मूल पाठ

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Telephone conversation between Prime Minister and His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone with His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel. The leaders discussed the potential areas in which India and Israel could expand their cooperation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including research and development efforts in the fields of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. They agreed to maintain the ongoing exchanges between expert teams of both countries, and also concurred that the fruits of such collaboration should be made available for the wider benefit of humanity.

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Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a phone call today with H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia. The two leaders discussed the Covid-19 pandemic. They agreed to continue the ongoing cooperation for helping each other’s expatriates and facilitating their evacuation.

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Indian Railways geared up to provide COVID Care Centers to State Authorities.

As per guidelines of MoHFW, a few State Governments have sent the requisition to Indian Railways. Railways have allocated these coaches to the State/UTs. Trains with unit composition of 10 coaches, with patient capacity of 16 per coach have been made ready. A total of 5231 coaches were modified to be used as Covid Care Center. UP has finalised 24 stations. Telangana has asked for coaches to be stationed in 3 locations- Secunderabad, Kachiguda and Adilabad. In Delhi, 10 coaches are stationed at 1 Shakurbasti location .Indian Railways makes 360 degree attempt to supplement Government of India’s efforts against COVID

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Use Aarogya Setu Effectively: MoS Dhotre Asks District Collectors

Under the directions of the Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT, HRD and Communications, Shri Sanjay Dhotre an interaction between the Aarogya Setu App team of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) Govt. of India, and all districts collectors and DIOs of NIC in the state of Maharashtra was organized through video conference. The objective of this interaction was to augment the awareness of the field level officials of the state regarding the different facets of the Aarogya Setu App and also to invite field-level inputs from them. It was well brought out during the conference that the data analytics available through the Aarogya Setu platform is quite useful in having both macro- and microscopic understanding of the transmission dynamics of the disease in the state. Effective and timely use of these data can be of very crucial help in pre-empting the development of hotspots and also in allocation and timely augmentation of required health infrastructure in a planned and targeted manner.

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Dr. Jitendra Singh advises DARPG to expedite Work From Home Guidelines in the wake of COVID-19.

Union Minister of State for Personnel, PG and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh has  reviewed the on-going activities of DARPG and advised that the work from home policy guidelines should be expeditiously firmed up by the Department. He advised that necessary consultations with Line Ministries/ Departments in this regard may be completed on a priority basis. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that timely issue of the WFH guidelines would benefit employees of the Central Secretariat in adhering to the Prime Minister’s call for “Do Gaz Doori” and social distancing.

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EPFO leverages CSC network to conduct Jeevan Pramaan for pensioners

In recognition of need to bring service delivery closer to the door steps of EPS pensioners, especially during the challenging times of COVID -19 Pandemic, EPFO has proactively partnered with Common Service Centre (CSC) to provide facility to submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan. By leveraging the last mile network of over 3.65 lakh Common Services Centers, EPFO provides its 65 lakh pensioners facility to submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan closer to their residence. EPS pensioners are required to submit Jeevan Pramaan /Life certificate each year to continue to draw pension.

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MoS C&F Shri Mandaviya holds review meeting with directors of NIPERs

A meeting of the Directors of National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research (NIPERs) –Mohali, Raebareli, Hajipur and Guwahati through video conferencing was held under the chairmanship of Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, MoS Chemicals and Fertilizers today to review their performance in research & innovation activities, especially with regard to the ways in which NIPERs have and can contribute in country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister suggested also that all NIPERs should try to establish the National level testing labs for the pharma products as a source of revenue generations. Government and Private Sector Pharmaceutical Companies and Agencies can approach NIPERs for use of the Testing Lab on commercial basis.

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HRD Minister virtually releases “India Rankings 2020” for Higher Educational Institutions

Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, today released “India Rankings 2020” of Institutions of Higher Education in various categories on the basis of their performance on five broad categories of parameters. The Minister released India Rankings 2020 virtually in 10 categories. Shri Pokhriyal said that the Ministry of HRD has taken this important initiative of creating a National Institutional Ranking Framework, which is being used for past five years for ranking of institutions of higher education in different categories and domains of knowledge. Shri Nishank said that in order to provide facility of online practicing in the difficult time of COVID-19, NTA recently launched National Test Abhyas app for JEE and NEET students and around 65 lakhs students have already downloaded the app for practicing online test.

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Anti-microbial multilayer face mask to annihilate pathogenic microorganisms

As of now there is no vaccine or drug available to combat novel coronavirus. Mask, physical distancing and frequent handwashing are the only ways that can save lives. The World Health Organisation has also given recommendations on the kind of mask that is most suitable for protection against coronavirus. But wearing mask for a long time may cause suffocation and proper handling of mask is tricky too. To address a few of such issues, a team at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask. This face mask can annihilate pathogenic microorganisms that are stuck to its outer surface and thereby limit the spread of secondary infections.

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Common Yoga Protocol Sessions on DD Bharati for IDY 2020

The Ministry of AYUSH in association with Prasar Bharati is organizing a daily telecast of the Common Yoga Protocol on DD Bharati from the11^th of June 2020. The CYP sessions will be telecasted daily in the morning from 08:00 a.m. to 08:30 a.m. The sessions will also be simultaneously available on the social media handles of the Ministry. This half an hour session will cover all the major aspects of the Common Yoga Protocol. This telecast is being organized with an objective to familiarize the masses with the Common Yoga Protocol by providing them an audio-visual demonstration of the same through the distance mode. Prior acquaintance with the Common Yoga Protocol will help the people to be fully prepared and ready for active participation in IDY 2020.

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SER manufactures 1,15,081 face masks & 9,001 litres of hand sanitizer to combat covid-19 pandemic

In view of increasing COVID-19 pandemic, South Eastern Railway (SER) has come forward to produce reusable Face Masks and Hand Sanitiser in its four divisions viz. Kharagpur,  Adra, Ranchi and Chakradharpur, as well as at its Kharagpur Workshop. In-house production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits e going on at Kharagpur Workshop and Kharagpur Divisional Unit of SER for supporting the Doctors, Nurses and other Healthcare personnel for treating the COVID-19 infected persons. SER’s in-house production will not only ensure timely supply of the masks, sanitiser and PPEs to the frontline staff and Healthcare personnel, it will also result in substantial cost savings.

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New low-cost novel coronavirus test developed

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended only reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test for novel coronavirus testing. Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have developed a new low-cost and low-tech required test for SARS-CoV-2 testing. This test is known as reverse transcription nested PCR (RT-nPCR) test. This test does not require real-time quantitative RT-qPCR.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Chandigarh: The Administrator, UT, Chandigarh stated that with the opening of state borders and movement of persons through roads, trains and flights, the spread of infection could increase substantially. He directed Principal Secretary Health to coordinate with the neighbouring states, so that a common strategy could be formed to screen the persons coming from outside into the tri-city.
• Punjab: To disseminate the plethora of the information about #COVID_19 in a structured manner, a strategy was evolved by the State Government with the guidance of Professor K.K. Talwar, the Advisor to the State Government on Health and Medical Education. Working on the stratagem, 19 online sessions were organized by the State Government during the lockdown period falling between 27th March to 4th June. The sessions were held with 1914 medical professionals involved in COVID care services including medical specialists and anaesthetists looking after mild to moderately sick COVID-19 patients; and with faculty of Medical Colleges and other critical career experts looking after critical COVID-19 patients.
• Haryana: Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Minister said that the people of the state have bravely faced every calamity due to which Haryana’s progress has neither stalled in the past not will it slow down in the future. The State Government has taken various decisions in the public interest during the COVID-19 pandemic which includes a financial package of Rs. 1200 crore and the creation of Haryana Corona Relief Fund to help the needy.
• Kerala: In Kerala, devotees will not be allowed for the monthly poojas in Sabarimala temple; annual festival which was scheduled to begin from Monday also cancelled. Health Minister K K Shailaja reprimanded the hospital authorities in connection with two Covid-19 patients committing suicide at isolation wards in Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital. Health Department Additional Principal Secretary has been directed to submit a report immediately in this regard. Private hospital managements in the state in a video conference with Health Minister offered full cooperation in the treatment of Covid cases. Five more Keralites died of COVID-19 outside the state today. Three of them succumbed to the virus in the Gulf and two in Mumbai.
• Tamil Nadu: One more Covid-19 death in Puducherry, 12 fresh cases as tally rises to 157. Supreme Court takes note of 35 children testing positive for Covid-19 in a government-run shelter home in Tamil Nadu; seeks status report from the state government. CM says that the government did not benefit by hiding Covid deaths, and was being transparent with all details. State govt. offices to remain shut on second Saturdays for disinfection and fumigation. 1927 new cases, 1008 recoveries & 19 deaths reported yesterday. 1390 cases from Chennai. Total cases: 36841, Active cases: 17179, Deaths: 326, Active cases in Chennai: 13085.
• Karnataka: State government decided to ban live virtual classes for pre-primary and lower primary up to 5th standard students; the State has taken this decision based on suggestions from doctors of NIMHANS. State government released 40cr to the transport department towards Covid-19 relief for autorickshaw and cab drivers. Social Welfare Department to reopen its residential schools and colleges after getting permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. 120 new cases, 257 discharges & three deaths reported yesterday. Total positive cases: 6041, Active cases: 3108, Deaths: 69, Recovered: 2862.
• Andhra Pradesh: 114 Telugu people stranded in Kuwait arrived in Visakhapatnam airport.  CM urges Centre for more flights to bring stranded people home from abroad as many appeals for evacuation. Darshan commences at Tirumala temple after three days of trial run. TTD put 3,000 tickets online and a little over 3,000 offline for devotees for slots beginning 8 AM. 135 new cases, 65 discharged and two deaths reported during last 24 hours after testing 11,602 samples. Total cases: 4261. Active: 1641, Recovered: 2540, Deaths: 80. Returnees from other states who tested positive is 971, with 564 of them active and 31 discharged in the last 24 hours, while 176 of the 197 cases from abroad remain active.
• Telangana:  Gandhi Hospital medicos continue protests; medicos organised protests inside the hospital campus and boycotted their elective and regular duties at all the Covid in patient wards at Gandhi Hospital. Telangana Cabinet to decide on private testing for Covid-19 says Industries and IT Minister KT Rama Rao. Total cases as of 11th June 4111; as on date 448 migrants and foreign returnees tested positive.
• Maharashtra: The state reported 3254 new cases on Wednesday, taking the state tally of positive cases to 94,041. While there are 46,074 active cases in the state, 44,517 patients have recovered from the infection. Also, 149 deaths were also reported on Wednesday, which happens to be the highest toll in a single day in the state so far. Hotspot Mumbai reported 1567 new cases and 97 deaths on Wednesday. Though the number of Covid-19 cases has shown a rising trend in the state, the recovery rate has also improved and the death rate has almost equalled the National Average at the same time. The improved recovery rate of the state and the improved situation in the hotspots like Dharavi, Mahim and Dadar in Mumbai has given some relief to the state government.
• Gujarat: The total number of COVID-19 patients has gone up to 21,554 with the addition of 510 new cases from 21 districts on Wednesday. As many as 370 patients have also recovered in the state on Wednesday, taking the number of people discharged so far from hospitals to 14,743.Presently, there are 5,464 active cases. 
• Rajasthan: With 51 new COVID-19 cases reported today till morning hours, the state tally of coronavirus cases has reached 11,368. Recovery of total 8502 patients has also been reported till date. Health Minister Dr. Raghu Sharma said that COVID cases have increased rapidly in the last 8 days and the average of 268 cases has increased daily.
• Madhya Pradesh: With the report of 200 new cases from the state on Wednesday,  the tally of coronavirus patients rose to 10,049; while 427 patients have died so far. Most of these new infections have been reported from hotspots Indore and Bhopal, followed by Ratlam district. 6892 people have recovered from the infection so far while the number of active cases is 2,730. More than 2 lakh 28 thousand samples have been tested in the state till now. The coronavirus recovery rate in Madhya Pradesh has gone up to 68.6 per cent, which is the second best in the country after Rajasthan.
• Chhattisgarh – 114 new coronavirus positive cases have been reported from the state on Wednesday, taking the state tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,359. The number of active cases is 958, while 402 patients have recovered and 6 deaths have happened in the state so far.
• Goa – 28 COVID-19 positive cases have been identified on Wednesday, which took the state tally of coronavirus cases to 387. The number of active cases in the state stands at 320.

FACT CHECK

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YB