(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 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:India has one of the lowest deaths per lakh population in the world

WHO Situation Report 154 dated 22^ndJune, 2020 shows that India has one of the lowest deaths per lakh population. India’s cases of death per lakh population is 1.00 while the global average is more than its six times, at 6.04. The UK has witnessed 63.13 cases of COVID-19 related deaths per lakh population, while the metric for Spain, Italy and US is 60.60, 57.19 and 36.30 respectively.

The recovery rate continues to improve. As on date, it is 56.38% amongst COVID-19 patients. So far, a total of 2,48,189 patients have been cured of COVID-19. During the last 24 hours, a total of 10,994 COVID-19 patients have been cured.Presently, there are 1,78,014 active cases and all are under active medical supervision.The number of government labs has been increased to 726 and private labs have increased to 266, summing up to a total of 992.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633516

50,000 Made in India Ventilators under PM CARES Fund to fight COVID-19
PM CARES Fund Trust has allocated Rs. 2000 crore for supply of 50000 ‘Made-in-India’ ventilators to government run COVID hospitals in all States/UTs. Further, a sum of Rs. 1000 crore has been allocated for the welfare of migrant labourers. Out of the 50000 ventilators, 30000 ventilators are being manufactured by M/s Bharat Electronics Limited. So far 2923 ventilators have been manufactured, out of which 1340 ventilators have already been delivered to the States/UTs. The prominent recipients include Maharashtra (275), Delhi (275), Gujarat (175), Bihar (100), Karnataka (90), Rajasthan (75). By the end of June 2020, additional 14,000 ventilators will be delivered to all States/UTs.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633516

Taking COVID-19 head-on with Community Participation and Digital Initiatives in Odisha

Odisha has focused its anti-COVID measures on active use of IT, empowering the local sarpanches, building its skilled healthcare force through community participation, and protecting the vulnerable groups. This had led to reduced disease burden with low mortality rates. Some of the key initiatives include:Support to co-morbid and senior citizens via Sachetak app; Empowerment of Sarpanches for effective monitoring; Deployment of telemedicine services; and Capacity augmentation of medical personnel.

For details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633657

Strict containment and focus on managing co-morbids aiding the recovery of COVID-19 patients in Punjab

Punjab has shown good progress in containing the virus spread. The State continues to post a high recovery rate.A key feature of the multi-pronged strategy of Punjab is its focus on Government quarantine for the high risk/vulnerable population from containment zones. Punjab has implemented a stringent containment strategy. The containment zones are clearly delineated as a street or two adjoining streets, a Mohalla or a residential society. So far, 19 containment zones have been established in 8 districts containing population of about 25000. “GharGharNigrani” is a mobile-based App launched by Punjab Government to check the spread of COVID-19. The door-to-door survey is undertaken with the help of ASHA workers/community volunteers to ensure early detection and timely testing. Punjab has ramped up the testing capacity; presently it is conducting about 8000 tests/day.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633415

Statement by Ministry of Ayush on claims of PatanjaliAyurved regarding treatment of COVID-19

Ministry of AYUSH has taken cognizance of the news in the media about Ayurvedic medicines developed for treatment of COVID-19 by PatanjaliAyurved Ltd, Haridwar. Facts of the claim and details of the stated scientific study are not known to the Ministry.The company has been informed that such advertisements of drugs are regulated under the provisions of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and Rules thereunder. Ministry had also issued a Gazette Notification stating the requirements and the manner the research studies on COVID-19 with Ayush interventions/medicines should be undertaken. In order to make this Ministry aware of the facts of the aforesaid news and verify the claims, PatanjaliAyurved Ltd has been asked to provide at the earliest details of the name and composition of the medicines being claimed for COVID treatment; site(s)/hospital(s), where the research study was conducted for COVID-19; protocol, sample size, Institutional Ethics Committee clearance, CTRI registration and results data of the study (ies) and stop advertising/publicizing such claims till the issue is duly examined.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633690

Increase in Economic Activity-Improvement in Economic Indicators
Guided by the urgent need to save lives -‘JaanhaitohJahanhai’, India resorted to a strict 21 days nationwide lockdown on 24^thMarch, 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19 in its early stages in the country. The strict lockdown and social distancing measures, however, adversely affected the economy. With a gradual shift in strategy towards saving lives as well as livelihoods-‘JaanbhiJahanbhi’, India has entered the ‘Unlock India” phase from June 1 with phased resumption of services and businesses. The Government and the RBI have taken prompt policy measures - both short term and long term - in a calibrated manner to reinvigorate the economy at the earliest with minimal damage. Early green shoots of economic revival have also emerged in May and June with real activity indicators like electricity and fuel consumption, inter and intra-state movement of goods, retail financial transactions witnessing pick up.Agricultural sector remains the foundation of the Indian economy and with a forecast of a normal monsoon, should support the rebooting of the Indian Economy. The resilience of the Indian manufacturing is evident from the fact that within a period of 2 months, India has become the world’s second largest manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) starting from scratch

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633531

Government Schemes for MSMEs & NBFCs creating significant impact

The interventions by Government for MSMEs, have been gaining rapid traction. Under the Emergency Credit Line backed by a Government guarantee, Banks from Public & Private Sectors have so far already sanctioned loans worth over Rs. 79,000 crore as of June 20, 2020, of which more than Rs 35,000 crore has already been disbursed. Separately,under RBI’s Special Liquidity Facility announced in March-April, 2020, SIDBI has sanctioned over Rs. 10,220 crore to NBFCs, Micro Finance Institutions & Banks for lending to MSME& small borrowers. National Housing Bank (NHB) has sanctioned its entire facility of Rs. 10,000 crore to Housing Finance Companies. This refinance by SIDBI & NHB is in addition to ongoing schemes through which over Rs. 30,000 crore has been sanctioned.

For details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633595

Information about Country of Origin by the sellers made mandatory on GeM to promote Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Government e-Marketplace (GeM), a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has made it mandatory for sellers to enter the Country of Origin while registering all new products on GeM. Further, sellers, who had already uploaded their products before the introduction of this new feature on GeM, are being reminded regularly to update the Country of Origin. GeM has taken this significant step to promote ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.GeM has also enabled a provision for indication of the percentage of local content in products. With this new feature, now, the Country of Origin as well as the local content percentage are visible in the marketplace for all items. More importantly, the ‘Make in India’ filter has now been enabled on the portal.

For details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633511

Muslims from India will not go to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj 2020

Union Minority Affairs Minister Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvihas informed that honouring the decision of the Saudi Arabia Government because of serious challenges of Corona pandemic and keeping in mind the health and well-being of the people, it has been decided that Muslims from India will not go to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Addressing the media here today,the minister  said that he received a phone call from Haj &Umrah Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Mohammad Saleh bin TaherBenten yesterday and the Saudi Arabia Minister suggested not to send Haj pilgrims from India to Haj for this year due to Corona pandemic.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633561

COVID Care coaches of Indian Railways start getting utilized;Railways has deployed 960 COVID Care Coaches in 5 States

Sustaining the fight against Covid-19, Indian Railways has started providing care to corona patients referred for admission in COVID Coaches deployed in various states. Railways is making an all-out effort to supplement the health care efforts of State Governments. It has geared up to provide its 5231 Covid Care Coaches to the States. Zonal Railways have converted these coaches as COVID Care Centres to be used for very mild / mild cases.As of now, Railways has deployed total 960 COVID Care coaches in 5 states - Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.

For details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633386

DrJitendra Singh addresses Conference of Heads and representatives of National Medical Teaching Institutes

Union Minister DrJitendra Singh has said that there is going to be renewed focus on the study and management of infectious diseases in the post-COVID era and the medical curriculum will also have to adapt itself accordingly.DrJitendra Singh was addressing a Virtual Conference, yesterday with the Heads and representatives of National Medical Teaching Institutes, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, PGI Chandigarh, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Manipur, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Shillong and Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar. DrJitendra Singh said, Indian medical fraternity has an advantage over their western counterparts because here the practice of medicine was inherently tuned to prescriptions based on hygiene and prevention of cross infections.

For details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633423

2 crore Building and Other Construction Workers received cash assistance of Rs 4957 crore during lockdown

State Governments, in response to the advisory dated 24th March, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Labour& Employment, have disbursed Rs 4957 crore cash assistance till date to approximately two crore registered construction workers across the country during the lockdown. About 1.75 crore transactions were done directly into the bank accounts of the workers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Apart from cash benefits ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 6000 per worker during the lockdown, some of the States have also provided food and ration to their workers.During the challenging times of COVID-19 lockdown, Ministry of Labour& Employment has left no stone unturned in ensuring timely cash transfers to them, when they needed it the most.

For details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633546

Immunity booster Herbal Tea from NIPER, Mohali

National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) have introduced many innovative products like safety devices, sanitizers and masks to fight COVID epidemic. At the same time it has also come up with a immunity booster Herbal Tea to strengthen physical resistance to infection.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1633597

INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Chandigarh: The Administrator, UT Chandigarh, noted that in the recent past, the maximum number of positive COVID cases have been found in persons coming from outside. He appealed to the local Residents Welfare Associations, Voluntary Agencies, Social Workers etc., to cooperate with the Health and Police Authorities in monitoring the stay and movement of persons coming from outside. He advised that in case of any symptom, the matter should immediately be brought to the notice of Health Authorities. Suppression of such vital information will lead to further spread of infection.
• Punjab: To provide further relief to entrepreneurs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Punjab Cabinet has decided to extend the One-Time Settlement of their dues with the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation and Punjab Financial Corporation till December 31, 2020. The Chief Minister said the move was necessary as the industries needed support in these difficult times. The move will help in releasing the blocked industrial investment and assets and enable the state to put the same to productive use for the revival of the existing industries, which had been shut down after the lockdown in March.
• Haryana: A state-level control room set up by various departments to exchange information related to Corona pandemic during the nationwide lockdown received 4,78,369 calls, of which 4,54,000 calls were answered from March 24 to June 21, 2020. 95 percent of the calls were successfully answered with an average waiting time of less than 10 seconds. Similarly, tele-counseling was also made available to 31,592 persons. It is noteworthy that in a meeting of Chief Ministers, held under the Chairmanship of the Union Home Minister, the Health Secretary appreciated state-level control room set up for better arrangements made by Haryana during Covid-19 and for helping and supporting the citizens.
• Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister while presiding over the video conference with the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Chief Medical Officers said that the home quarantine mechanism must be made more effective and constant vigil must be kept on the people, so that the persons do not jump home quarantine. He said that more facilities of institution quarantine must be created so as to ensure that there was no dearth of beds, if in any case the number of people with ILI symptoms increases. Chief Minister said that all the people coming from red zone cities must be kept under institutional quarantine and after 4-5 days they would be tested for Covid-19 and only negative persons would be allowed to go home for home quarantine.
• Maharashtra: The current count of COVID19 patients in the state of Maharashtra is 1,35,796 with the addition of 3,721 new patients during the last 24 hours. The number of recovered patients is 67,706 and total active cases are 61,793.Meanwhile, eight trainee cadets of INS ShivajiLonavala, which is one of the premier training establishments of the Indian Navy, have tested positive for novel coronavirus. The infected cadets are part of a batch of 150 trainees. All the positive cadets have been admitted to the military hospital at Wanowarie in Pune.
• Gujarat: The total cases of COVID-19 detected so far have reached up to 27,880 with 563 new cases reported during the last 24 hours. Also, 21 patients lost their lives in this period, taking the total death toll of COVID-19 in the state up to 1,685.
• Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, the number of active cases has crossed 3,000 today, after about 15 days. According to the report issued by the Health Department, 199 cases have been reported today. The total number of infected people has gone up to 15,431.
• Madhya Pradesh: 175 new Corona patients have been reported in the state in the last 24 hours but at the same time 200 patients went back home after recovery. At present, out of total 12,078 cases in the state, the number of active cases is only 2,342.
• Arunachal Pradesh:Out of the 126 active positive cases in the Arunachal Pradesh, 74 cases detected from Changlang, 20 from capital complex Itanagar and 12 from West Kameng district. Health Department of Arunachal Pradesh says SoPs are being followed strictly and state is still under Green Zone category.
• Manipur:  As on date there are 5000 persons in official quarantine, 14,000 in community quarantine and 5500 people are availing paid quarantine facilities in Manipur.Manipur has ramped up testing to over 2200 tests per day. So far over 38,000 tests have been done in the state.
• Mizoram: 7 more COVID-19 patients discharged from Zoram Medical College-ZMC; the total number of cured(discharged) patients in Mizoram now stands at 19 and the active cases at 123.
• Nagaland: Out of 312 samples tested in the last 24 hours, 50 new cases of COVID-19 positive have been reported in Nagaland. The total positive cases in the state are 330 out of which 189 are active and 141 patients have recovered so far.
• Sikkim: Sikkim govt to pay tribute to the 20 soldiers who laid down their lives at Galwan, Ladakh recently through a programme, 'Salute to the Bravehearts' on 25th June at Gangtok informs Chief Secretary.
• Chhattisgarh: The number of Covid-19 cases in Chhattisgarh increased to 2,302 with 46 more people testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday. A total of 12 deaths have been reported in the state due to coronavirus infection so far.
• Goa: 46 new COVID-19 infections have been identified taking the state tally of COVID-19 to 864, while there are 711 active cases presently.
• Kerala: One more person died of Covid-19 in Kerala today. With this, the number of Covid-19 deaths in the state rose to 23. A 68-year-old man who was under quarantine, died in Kozhikode today. His swab samples have been sent for testing. A man who is undergoing institutional quarantine in Kannur, after returning from Mumbai tested positive for Covid-19 on the 24th day of quarantine. The Centre, after consulting with Indian Embassies in various countries, has rejected Kerala’s request for conducting TrueNat test for Covid-19, on expats returning to India, pointing out that the recommendation is impractical.  The state’s suggestion that a special flight be permitted for expatriates confirmed of Covid has also been turned down. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 expatriates will arrive in Kochi today from various countries. Showing an upward trend for the past four days, 138 new cases were reported in the state yesterday. Currently 1,540 patients are under treatment in various districts.                                         
• Tamil Nadu: With spike in cases, need for extra beds on the rise in Madurai; it is now the sixth district in the State in terms of number of active cases (452). Complete lockdown will be enforced in Madurai and neighbouring areas from Wednesday till June 30. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directs the State government to respond on the feasibility of providing face shield to all police personnel involved in Covid-19 duty. With 2,710 new cases being reported yesterday, State’s Covid tally past 60,000 now. 1358 recoveries & 37 deaths reported yesterday. 1487 cases from Chennai. Total Active cases: 27178, Deaths: 794, Active cases in Chennai: 18372.
• Karnataka: State government issues order fixing treatment rates for Covid-19 patients in private hospitals. As per the order, 50% of beds in private hospitals having facility to treat Covid-19 patients shall be reserved for the treatment of patients referred by public authorities. 249 new cases, 111 discharges & five deaths reported yesterday. Total positive cases: 9399, Active cases: 3523, Deaths: 142, Discharges: 5730.
• Andhra Pradesh:  Ruling YSR Congress Party MLA from Srungavarapukota (Vizianagaram Dt.), K SrinivasaRao and his personal security officer tested Covid positive on June 22.  The MLA had recently returned from the US and was under self-isolation.CM instructs the officials to conduct comprehensive screening and tests covering all households within 90 days by making use of the 104 ambulance service for the purpose. Krishna district administration has decided to conduct at least 2,000 Covid-19 tests in the district and arranged 10 IMASQ buses (Intelligent Monitoring Analysis Service Quarantine), which are used to collect swab samples to conduct tests. AP Public Service Commission released the revised schedule of dates for conducting APPSC 2020 examinations, which were earlier postponed due to Covid-19 lockdown. 462 new cases, 129 discharged and five deaths reported during last 24 hours; of the 407 new cases, 40 are inter-state cases and 15 from abroad. Total cases: 9834, Active cases: 5123, Discharged: 4592, Deaths: 119.
• Telangana: Health Minister, EtelaRajender warns private diagnostic laboratories against commercially exploiting the general public while conducting Covid-19 tests. Alert in Telangana against likely invasion of locusts on June 25 with a new swarm of locust entering India from Pakistan, Total cases 8674, Active cases: 4452, Deaths 217, Recovered 4005.

FACTCHECK

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